Murder On The Mainline - S01 E33

Story 12 hours ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E33

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 33

He steps back into the living room and listens. " ... I love to do that, too. I had one until about a year ago..." It's Trudy's voice so he steps back into the kitchen and opens the back door with a tissue over his fingers. He turns the lock and presses the button with the tissue in his hands.

Now it's unlocked and no fingerprints. He can come back at his leisure if he needs to and is careful. He looks around the carport. No car but evidence it was used recently. Oil drips and tracks in the dust. He studies the tracks and sketches them. No clear footprints. He goes back inside and closes the door quietly. He opens a cupboard with his other hand and steps sideways to peer into it as he listens.

A murmur of voices can be heard from the far bedroom. He bangs the cupboard shut and goes into the living room. He hears, "I think it’s much better now. Thanks for your help." He hears a mutter then, "No, see. I can put my weight on it. I think it’s okay. We better see where my boss is."

By now Mike is at the bedroom door grinning at Trudy over the officer's shoulder. He steps back away from the door as they stir and is crossing the living room towards the side door when they come out. "Your fellows really did a clean job. I can't find anything useful here. Did she have a room mate?"

"Lived here all by herself. Must have been making a lot more than me. Maybe I should moonlight as a pub steward."

"She made her extra expenses by more than waitressing at the pub. I don't think you'd make it in that line."

"In this day and age, it might surprise you."

They both laugh.

Outside Mike opens the car door for Trudy and says loudly, "How's that ankle?"

"It feels a lot better now." Trudy winks.

They pull away and head back to the address where they had encountered Scanlon. "How much did you have to show him of your ankle? Up to your waist?"

"Nearly! He was really worried about you wandering around by yourself. He didn't say so but was fidgeting to get going. I never had that much trouble keeping a man interested in my body before."

"Good work. I got some trade goods."

"Right on!"

"I also set it up for a return visit."

"The back door?"

"Yep."

"When?"

"Sorry, I'll be doing that alone. I have the license, so it would go hard on me but not near as bad as it would be if you were caught there."

"I'll be your wheel man then."

"We'll see."

They pull back in front of the condo at 417. All is quiet so they go up the walk and ring the bell. The door is nudged open by an elbow and the tall thin blonde can be seen talking on a phone with the cord stretched so she can reach the door. She says something then walks away to hang up the phone. She comes back and opens the screened outer door.

"You're back. I never seen anyone handle Jay so fast and smoothly as you did. Come on in." They step inside and she goes on. "Your investigating Flo's murder, eh? I'd be glad to help if I could but I really don't know anything about it."

"You work for Jay, right?"

"No, I work at the cab stand. Uh, we both do."

Trudy takes it up, "Right, and I sell girl guide cookies full time. Cut the bullshit! We have reason to believe Jay may be the slayer in Flo's murder. You want to protect him?"

"Why do you think that?"

"You know why. You’ve been talking to Sheri and Peaches. We have direct evidence that places you in the employ of one pimp named Scanlon. Do we talk or walk?"

"What do you want to know?"

"For starters, what happened here today?"

"Jay came in about two hours ago and told Jan she had to have an abortion. All she wanted to do was go home and have the baby. She didn't care who the father was and she wasn't going to name Jay in any action. She just wanted to get out. He called her a bitch and other names and started screaming at her that she was taking the food right out of his mouth and the longer she waited, the harder it was going to be to abort the fetus."

"He said it was her own carelessness that caused the problem and he couldn't let her get away with it or the rest would try it. He got so angry! He knocked her around and dragged her around by her hair. He grabbed the butcher knife to threaten her. He said he'd cut her if she didn't get the abortion. She was just stubborn and said no matter what he did she was going back to Alberta and have the baby. That's when he said he'd cut the 'fucking bastard' out of her. I tried to stop him but he stabbed her in the stomach and pelvis. She was bleeding all over the place and I was screaming so I guess he lost it and tried to take off. That's when you came to the door. Thank goodness, I think he would have killed her. I hope she's going to be okay and didn't lose the baby."

"Jan's baby is fathered by a John?"

"Yeah. She doesn't go out with anybody, unless it’s Jay's."

"Jay screws you all, whenever he feels like it?"

"Yeah, except we call it rape, cause that's what it is."

"Does Jay ever use Fantasy Sex?"

"He's a Neanderthal. I doubt he knows what the word means. Everything with him is money or sex. He's never heard of romance. Besides, who would trust him for Fantasy Sex? That stuff can be dangerous."

"Did Flo work for Jay."

"Sometimes. She had a funny setup with him. She got away with living by herself and turning a few tricks without his say so. Some of the girls say he respected her. If he did, she was the only female in the world he respected, and that includes his mother."

"Would Jay have any reason to kill Flo? Was she flaunting it that she could do as she pleased? Was she urging the girls to leave him? Anything of that nature that might be a threat to Jay."

"If she was, I never heard of it. I think I would have heard. I don't know."

Trudy looks thoughtful as she turns to Mike. "Mike, do you know if Flo was pregnant?"

"Nothing in any of the reports."

She turns back to the other girl, "Well, I don't think Jay will be bothering you for a while. He's headed for the lockup."

“He'll be out by now. Jan won't press charges. I wouldn't. He'd cut me up so I'd be afraid to look in the mirror. His lawyer will have him out and all charges dropped by now."

"Mike, give her our card. You call us if he threatens you or if you come up with anything that looks like it might prove he had anything to do with Flo's death. Mike can be as tough as Jay and then some. He'll look out for you. By the way, what's your name if you do call?"

"Rene. I'd rather not give my last name."

"Don't need it, Rene. It's just for us. No one else gets it."

"Thanks. I believe you. What's your name?"

"Trudy Garneau."

"Vous etes Francais?"

"No, my ex was. Military."

Mike watches the two women talking and is glad he picked Trudy up to help him. She has a rapport with men and women that seems to gain their confidence so easily. He looks at his watch and notes it’s time to go. It’s after three. He still might be able to get her back before she's late.

When they get back out to the car Trudy says, "Let's go back over and see if Tony's home."

"I think I can still make it back to Laidlaw before you’re late. We better head right out there."

"I told them I'd be late. Come on, Mike. Let's check Tony's place again."

Mike pulls out and heads across town. "You give any more thought to possible female suspects?"

"It just doesn't work. I guess it’s possible but I can't picture it."

"Me either. I think it was Jay. I just haven't figured out why. He would have to have had a strong motive to do something that drastic."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. He could do it. He has that streak of cruelty and no qualms. I can picture him carrying out the crime and thinking nothing of it. If he had a logical motive the cops would have him behind bars and not Ray."

"That's been troubling me, as well. Why haven't the cops been giving him more attention? It was too easy for us to discount his alibi. They must be aware his alibi was all smoke and mirrors. Why isn't he higher on their list? Mind you, her ex's alibi is pretty flimsy, too."

They pull in by Tony's bungalow and Mike spots him by the house turning on a sprinkler in the side lawn. Mike waves and Tony stares at them then grins and waves back. He comes across the sidewalk and says, "Mike. What a surprise. What are you doing down in this corner of town? You lost?"

"Tony, I'm sure you heard the rumor of the naked woman in my truck. I'd like you to meet Trudy Garneau."

Tony beams a wide grin and extends his hand, "I'm charmed. You can come ride in my truck any time."

She takes his hand and he turns it so as to kiss it. She blushes and says, "Sorry. I'm the exclusive property of one Mike Claymore. Ever heard of him?"

"The famous detective truck driver?"

"One and the same."

"Well, come on in. I have fresh coffee on... or if you prefer, Margarita's?"

Mike goes to say they don't have time when Trudy exclaims, "I'd love a cup of coffee. Do you have real cream?" She opens her door and gets out.

Mike gets out as well. He doesn't know what else to do.

"Fresh cream for the lady. I sure do. Follow me."

As they cross the walk and the grass to the front door Tony says to Mike, "You didn't answer my question. What are you up to today?"

"We're doing the investigation of Flo's murder. Checking alibis and questioning suspects and possible witnesses."

"There are witnesses?"

"No direct witnesses but people around suspects who can shed light on their characters, actions or motives. Everyone leaves a trail. Our killer has left a trail of people who know him... or her."

"Her? She was raped, I heard. Wasn't that the case?"

"Still not impossible for a female."

"How gruesome. Well, my alibi is simple." He pours coffee. "We were playing cards with another couple almost all night; my girl friend and I. You can easily verify it by checking with the other couple and my girl."

Mike pulls out his pad and says, "Who are they?" He poises his pen to write.

"Friends of mine, Rita and Ron Harrison. They live on Larkin Ave. at 361, I think. You might know him; he sells real estate here in town. Aren't you going to write them down?"

"Yes. I was just trying to think where I heard that name before. I know. They're on the suspects list as well. They apparently knew Flo. Did you know that?"

"Of course. I took her there to their place once."

Trudy speaks up, "Well, I guess that takes care of that. If we check with them they will just say they were over here with you guys playing cards. That makes our job so much easier. Now we can concentrate on the other suspects. Can I have some more of that delightful coffee. I think it's the fresh cream that makes it so good."

"Of course, my dear. Trudy, wasn't it?"

"Where did you ever get that painting? It’s a Foudou, isn't it? Kwan painted that while he was still in Vietnam. He's changed his style since immigrating. I like his earlier works better."

"Yes, it is. I have to agree with you. His old works have a flavor of the peasant countryside that simply does not ring true in his newer paintings. I'm surprised you know of him. Few North Americans have discovered him yet."

Trudy gets up to closer inspect the painting and Mike uses the time to look around. He can't see anything obvious to link Tony with the crime or with drugs. He notices the place is clean and well kept up.

Perhaps that is due to his girl friend, or perhaps it's Tony's way of living. He does note a few objects that he would class as oriental ornaments. No crime in that, but it could indicate a connection with the Vietnamese drug rings. He especially likes a small ornamental box with intricate workings on it on a sideboard.