Murder On The Mainline - S01 E31

Story 2 days ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E31

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 31

Question to all riders: Have you figured out yet who the murderer is?

Keep on your toes, more clues coming your way! ❤❤

CHAPTER 31
3RD SATURDAY

Saturday morning, thinks Mike, almost the end of May. Two weeks until the first hearing is scheduled for Ray. He reviews in his mind the progress he has made in trying to prove Ray didn't commit the murder. He glances at the clock radio then reaches out for Nina. Running his hand under the covers and up her leg, he feels her stir. She turns in the bed and pulls him to her. Her lips seek his for a morning kiss. "What time is it?"

"After eight. I don't hear the kids but they'll be up soon. We better get up." He cuddles her closer and kisses her again.

She snuggles against him and sighs, "Do we have to? I'm not so sure I want kids now. Do they always get you up early in the morning, even on the weekends?"

"Especially on the weekends," he murmurs in her ear as he nibbles at it. His hand cups her rump and pulls her tight to him. She moves her pelvis ahead then relax, only to thrust it against him again.

Her breathing turns ragged. "We better get up then," she manages breathlessly. She finds his mouth and her tongue runs along his lips while her hand seeks him under the covers. "Maybe just a quickie?"

"Your wish is my command, itty bitty pretty one."

While they're enjoying their quickie, Marlene comes in and stands watching them. She smiles and speaks, "Don't worry about the kids. I've got them fed and they’re gone out playing. I thought I'd let you two sleep in. Bye now."

She leaves before they can stop and Mike grins at Nina, saying, "Wasn't that nice of her? Now we don't have to hurry."

When they get up and Mike talks her into showering with him, they dress and go laughing together down the stairs. Nina gets coffee for them both and Marlene puts breakfast on for them. "You two sound cheerful this morning. I guess I better give you the news right away. Jeff does not want a divorce; he wants you to come home. He broke it off with me this morning, but of course, not before he screwed me silly."

Mike and Nina sit staring at Marlene. Nina says, "He wants me to come home! Just like that! What if I don't want to? Maybe I'd sooner stay here with Mike. What would he think of that?"

Marlene glares at her and says, "Eat your breakfast then give him a call. See what he has to say."

Mike tries to stay out of it.

After they eat, Nina goes to the phone. She talks quietly in the living room. When she comes out, she looks thoughtful. "I guess I'll go and pack." She wanders upstairs.

Mike looks at Marlene and says, "What's going on? You know more than your saying."

"He's making application for a transfer to the head office in Toronto on Monday. He's pretty sure he'll get it."

Mike looks downhearted for a moment then says he's got work to do. He goes to the office for his briefcase and calls Trudy. "Want to see if we can find Ray today?"

She agrees and he heads for Hope. It’s ten thirty when he picks her up and they're back in POCO by noon. He drives straight to Diamond Blvd. He sees Ray cutting grass when he pulls up. "Hi Ray, just came down to see how you're holding up."

"Come on in. I see you brought the Missus. You must be Marlene. Your not at all like I pictured you from Mike's description."

"Uh, Ray, this is my assistant in the investigation, Trudy Garneau. Trudy, Ray Chauffe."

"Oh. You an RCMP lady?"

Trudy smiles and says, "No way. I'm private, like Mike. I'm pleased to finally meet you." In an aside to Mike she says, "Let's go. Your right, he didn't do it."

Ray says, "How about a cold beer, Mike? Maybe the young lady would like something cold as well. I have root beer or milk... maybe beer for you, too?"

"I really don't have time, Ray. I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know we're still working on the case. We'll let you get back to that lawn of yours, buddy."

Trudy walks ahead of him back to the car. She climbs in his side and slides over. Mike says as he gets in, "Don't you even want to ask him any questions?"

"You know everything he did and he doesn't know anything about what happened. What do you want to ask him?"

“I don't know. I thought you wanted to meet him?"

"I did. I told you that you were right. He didn't do it. Okay?"

"I guess. Shall we go by Tony's?"

"Drive on."

Mike drives west to 787 Wilson Ave. It's at the end of the street, a small rundown bungalow by the river and near the entrance to the park. He pulls into the drive and knocks on the door. No answer. He tries again then steps back and walks around the house. The back lawn drops into a dug out court yard about two feet below ground level. Mike notes that the far side of the court is level with the riverbank and a dead end alley. Many car tracks lead into the court from the alley. He stands back and surveys the layout. Six cars could park behind the house and not be seen from the street. He walks along the bank towards the river and looks back to see a basement door that opens into the court.

"Quite a layout."

Mike jumps, "I thought you stayed in the car."

"Can't I see, too?"

"What do you think?"

"Could be a drug dealer's set up, but it doesn't have to be. Ain’t he home?"

"No answer when I knocked."

"Well, where to next?"

They start back towards the car and Mike looks around. The nearest neighbor's house is built back and to the far side of the next lot. There's a solid Laurel hedge between the properties. Across the street is a vacant lot that runs up against the park. The house is fairly isolated.

They climb into the Mustang and Mike checks his notes. He glances at his watch and says, "Let's try that first address you had for Jay. No one was home yesterday, remember?" He starts the car and says, "Or we could try Flo's address, but I imagine that place has been combed pretty thoroughly."

He pulls away from the curb then looks back at the house as if expecting to see a curtain move or something. All is as it was but he still has the feeling someone is watching them.

"That would be an eerie place at night."

"Yeah, it gives me the creeps, too."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe because it’s isolated and I only see one street lamp. Also it’s probably cold and damp due to the river. The place feels cold."

He drives across town to the first address they had tried for Jay. It's a condominium so Mike goes first and Trudy awaits his signal. He rings and hears movement inside. Suddenly the door is slammed open and a short wiry man comes bursting out. Mike notices as he flashes by that he has blood on his face and shoulder, as well as his hands. Deftly he trips him and he falls to the sidewalk, cursing. Inside Mike hears a moan and a woman's voice screaming.

In the heat of the moment Mike can't make out what she's screaming, only that she sounds in pain. He grabs the wiry one by the scuff of the neck as he thumbs his cell phone on 911. "What's going on inside?" he demands of the downed man, trying to get an electrical tie secured on his wrist. With one tie secure he slips the second through the first and around the other wrist of the struggling opponent.

He speaks into the phone, "I'm a private investigator working on the Hanson case. I have a bloody suspect on Melrose at 417 and an unknown situation inside the premises. There are two others inside with one of them screaming and one moaning. I have the third in cuffs. Send immediate assistance. My name is Mike Claymore."

He listens and says, "Yes, 417 Melrose." He hangs up and shakes his fist at the cuffed man as he tries to escape. By now Trudy is at his elbow so he hands her a long tie and says, "For his ankles."

She takes the tie as Mike sits the man on the steps and forcibly puts his feet together. Quickly she secures them. He says, "Alright, what's going on inside? Speak up, the cops are on their way." Mike notices that there is no fresh blood oozing anywhere on the man so it’s someone else's blood on him.

He hears a siren and momentarily a cruiser pulls to the curb. Two officers rush up the walk and Mike explains the situation. They cautiously approach the door and the hubbub inside. With weapons drawn one man covers as the other ducks inside. Trudy looks at Mike and says, "What do you suppose is happening?"

"I think we've met Mr. Jay Scanlon and he has been dealing out some discipline to one of his girls. Right, asshole?" He nudges the back of the seated man with his knee.