Caliber Detective Agency - Box Set - Case Files 1-6 by Donald Wells Page B

Gary Rollins. He’s Mira’s ex-lover and Reuben’s ex-best-friend.”
    “He’s a jerk, but he’s innocent. When Mira was having sleeping pills shoved down her throat, he was with a client in Westchester, a rich client who was picked up on a DUI.”
    “What about Sammy Kaye, Mira’s neighbor?”
    “Him?”
    “Yeah, I know, he doesn’t strike me as the cold blooded killer type either, but he knows all the players.”
    “Sammy Kaye is a fashion designer, independent; he owns his own business, Kaye Fashions, and has no criminal record.”
    Chris shook his head.
    “It’s got to be the sister; she’s the one who’s winding up with the money.”
    “She’s flying in Thursday to bury her sister, Myer Funeral Home, on tenth,”
    Chris nodded. “I think I’ll go and pay my respects.”
    ***
    S ammy Kaye opened his door and smiled slyly when he saw that Chris was by himself.
    “Alone at last,”
    “Don’t get your hopes up, Sammy; I’ve only come for information.”
    “Oh handsome, give me a chance and you’ll learn a lot about yourself.”
    Chris laughed, and then he noticed the suitcase near the sofa.
    “Where are you headed?”
    “Baltimore, there’s a chain of boutiques there that have shown an interest in my designs; I’m meeting their buyer tomorrow.”
    “Good luck, but listen, I’m at a dead end on this case and I think you can help.”
    “What case? I thought that the police had stopped investigating?”
    “Officially they have, but I’m not buying the official version of what happened to Mira.”
    Sammy’s hand flew to his throat.
    “Good lord! You think she was murdered?”
    “I do, and I need you to think. We know that Gary Rollins didn’t kill her, so who else might have done it?”
    “Maybe it was one of those three men.” Sammy said.
    “What three men?”
    “You know; the three she dated that all got mugged? Maybe only two got mugged and the third was the mugger. If he faked his injuries, it would have thrown suspicion off of himself.”
    Chris smiled. “I could almost kiss you.”
    Sammy came closer. “Almost?”
    Chris backed away. “It’s a figure of speech.”
    As he was returning to the office, Chris called Delaney and told him Sammy’s theory. Delaney said that he’d look into it and get back to Chris.
    ***
    O ne look at Michelle Garrett and Chris knew that he was wasting his time. The woman was devastated by her sister’s “suicide” and sat in front of the casket and cried deep sobs.
    Velma had gone with Chris to the Myer Funeral Home, and as she watched Michelle Garrett wipe away tears, she spoke to Chris.
    “She’s either innocent, or the greatest actress in the world.”
    “Well, she’s no actress, according to the info Delaney gave me, she works in a department store.”
    “She’ll probably quit that job soon; when all the legal dust settles, she’ll be two million dollars richer.”
    They managed to get Michelle Garrett to accompany them to a nearby coffee shop, and asked her some questions. Michelle looked like a younger version of her sister, Mira, but there was an innocent air about her that Mira never displayed.
    “Were you and your sister close?” Velma said.
    “Yes, until about a year ago when she married Reuben and moved here. I liked Reuben, don’t get me wrong, but I knew that Mira was only marrying him because she believed that he’d be rich someday. It all just seemed so... mercenary; and I think a marriage should only be based on love, don’t you?”
    “Yes,” Velma said. “Marriage should be based on love... and sometimes patience.”
    Chris sent her a sideways glance, but she avoided his gaze and so he resumed the interview.
    “Speaking of marriage,” Chris said. “I understand that you’ve recently wed, congratulations,”
    Michelle beamed a bright smile, and despite her tear-reddened eyes, she looked radiantly happy.
    “Thanks, his name is Kyle and he’s an absolute dream.”
    “Did he come with you?”
    “No, he travels