Murder in eagle cove, p.20
Murder in Eagle Cove, page 20
“Noah and I need to get going to prepare Katherine for the assembly.”
Noah hugged his dad and kissed his mom as they left the room. Chief Armstrong patted Larry on the shoulder and told him he looked better. He hugged Sandra while whispering in her ear.
“See you in a couple of hours.”
While Katherine was leaving her second-hour class, the teacher handed her a pass, excusing her from third.
“You’re being asked to go to the conference room at the counselor’s office.”
“Thanks,” she responded.
She went to her locker and dropped off her books. She grabbed a pencil and a spiral notebook before finding her friend, Stacy.
“I got a pass from third hour, so I won’t be there. Please take notes for me.”
“Does this have something to do with the assembly this afternoon?”
“Yes. I have to talk about what happened to me yesterday.”
“Are you scared?”
“A little. I think it’ll be all right. I have to spend time before lunch preparing.”
“Good luck,” Stacy said, rushing off to class.
“Hopefully, I’ll see you at lunch,” Katherine shouted to her friend as she rushed away.
Chief Armstrong and Noah waited for Katherine in the guidance counselor’s conference room.
“Have you ever participated in an active shooter presentation?” the chief asked Noah.
“They started doing them in high school before I graduated. We have them periodically at UMass. Sadly, we have to do this because of what society has evolved to. I can’t believe people go to work and shoot up their workplace, and I especially have a tough time with school kids taking guns into school and shooting up other innocent students.”
“I know,” the chief responded.
“I wish we didn’t have to do this today.”
“I do, too, but with the constant threat of this guy coming back, it’s necessary and proper. It’ll be fairly straightforward. The principal will show the film, and we’ll be on hand to answer questions and support the presentation.”
“It’ll be a bonus to have Katherine share her story. The students will be more apt to pay attention to the training. This training is critical to survival should any of these kids end up in an active shooter situation.”
While Noah and the chief visited, Katherine wandered into the room.
“Why are you guys here?” she asked.
“We’re here to help you prepare your statement to the students,” Noah replied.
“I don’t need any help.”
“We know you don’t, but there are things you can’t say, so we figured you might like our help. We have to present the active shooter training after you talk, so we’ll be here anyway,” the chief answered.
“I’m nervous. I don’t think I can do this.”
“Of course you can, Katy. You’re one of the smartest kids I know,” Noah replied.
“Why don’t you tell us what you were planning to say?” the chief asked.
Katherine explained what she hoped to say while they listened intently. Her ideas were on point. Noah suggested she write her speech to work on the wording and perfect it. That way, she’d be less nervous. The chief agreed and told Noah to remain with her to craft it while he went to talk to the principal about the rest of the assembly. They agreed to the plan, and the chief left the conference room. Noah moved around the table next to his sister, and they began writing her speech together. They worked together for the next hour before Katherine had everything she wanted to say worked out. This gave her plenty of time to practice and prepare her mind. Her stomach was queasy, and her head spun in fear of public speaking.
Once Larry’s room was empty of visitors, he and Sandra discussed Ty Flanders and Joe Connoroe. With all the other stuff happening, they had avoided the subject. Sandra felt she needed to offer her sympathy to both of the wives of Larry’s slain colleagues. “What do you think about my going to see Karen and Kelly this morning?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t wish that on you, but we should offer condolences. I’d like to go along so you wouldn’t be alone if I weren’t stuck here.”
“I’d like it if you could go along, too. I wish you could also go to Marilyn’s memorial tomorrow night.”
“You know I would be there if it were possible. I don’t think Dr. Adams will let me out of here in time. I’m hoping he releases me before Joe and Ty’s services. I’ll feel awful if I have to miss either of those.”
“It would be nice if I had something to take to Karen and Kelly. It’ll feel strange showing up empty-handed.”
“I think they’ll understand. It’ll mean a lot to them to have you stop by.”
“I know you’re right. How did I marry such a wise man? I better go if I’m going to see both of them and still make the assembly at the school. You know I love you, right?”
“And I you. Are you coming back after the assembly? I miss you when you’re not here.”
“You bet I am.”
The FedEx driver pulled into the Timberline Motel to deliver a package. He hadn’t been to this address before, and the place felt strange. He took the package into the office where the innkeeper sat reading.
“I have a package for you,” he said as he ripped the receipt off and scanned it with the delivery scanner.
“Mr. Szymański’s been expecting that,” the old man said.
“Have a nice day,” the driver said as he left the office perplexed. He looked back at the receipt and realized it was addressed to Kristoff Johansson. Why was that name familiar, he wondered. He climbed into his truck and double-checked his delivery address. The address was correct, and they were expecting a package. But he thought it was strange that the name on the package differed from the name the innkeeper mentioned. Something about it all didn’t seem right.
The innkeeper took the package to leave it outside the door of room twelve as he’d been asked. Not much surprised the old man, but this seemed odd. The package for Mr. Szymański was addressed to another name, Kristoff Johansson. It must be his. Nobody ever sent nothin’ here FedEx before, and nobody else was staying here, so it has to be him. He thought to himself that it was not only weird that he had two different names but also that he was parking his car out of sight beside the building. He shrugged his shoulders and left the package beside the door.
Candice Rodriguez and Dave Washburn arranged to interview Robert Moore and Tiffany Strait at the Plymouth County Jail. They may be ready to talk after spending the last two days locked up. Both suspects requested to have their attorneys present. Ms. Strait’s interview was set for one o’clock, and Robert Moore’s was at two. At twelve-thirty, the FBI agents left the station house and headed to the jail. Once there, an officer directed them to an interview room, where they waited for Tiffany Strait to be brought in. Her attorney, Gary Cranston, was already in the room. Candice engaged the attorney in small talk. “My name is Candice Rodriguez with the FBI, and this is my partner, Agent Dave Washburn,” she said, offering to shake his hand.
“Gary Cranston. I represent Ms. Strait.”
Dave shook the attorney’s hand as well.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“You as well,” he said.
Candice looked the attorney in the eyes and spoke to him in a calm, measured tone. “We’re not here to try to trip up your client. But we don’t think she is being candid about her involvement in all this. If she’s protecting someone, it may help to tell us what she knows so we can resolve this matter.”
“I understand.”
“When we spoke the other day, she lied to me. We have video evidence, fingerprints, and DNA proving she drove the car of her dead boss to Logan and left it. We didn’t find his computer or blood evidence in her apartment or car, so we don’t think she’s a major player here. If she was just an employee who got played by another, perhaps we can make this whole thing disappear. I hope she’ll not lose her job due to bad decisions.”
“However, if she’s complicit in stealing seven million dollars in Bitcoin, either alone or with accomplices, the story may play differently,” Dave added.
“I understand from media reports the main suspect is at large,” Cranston stated.
“Yes, he is. If Ms. Strait knows where he is or how to locate him, we will go to the D.A. and try to get her a deal for that information. This all depends on what she knows and what she’ll share. Unless we get the other murder suspect, she and Robert Moore will take the fall for the original murder at a minimum.”
“Will you give me a few minutes with my client privately before you interview her?” he asked.
“We can do that. We’ll wait outside the door until you’re ready for us,” Candice said.
She nodded at Dave while leaving the room. He followed her lead, and she rapped on the door to be let out. The door opened, and the agents left to wait outside.
Outside, she smiled at Dave, pleased with how they had given Tiffany’s attorney a compelling argument to cooperate with them.
“With any luck, we’ll have the same opportunity with Moore’s attorney,” Dave responded.
Candice peeked into the window of the room to see Tiffany Strait conversing with her attorney. She and Dave waited in silence to be readmitted to the room. After a few minutes, there was a rap on the door, and the guard came to let them back in. They filed in and sat across from Tiffany and her attorney. Candice introduced Dave Washburn to Tiffany and told her they appreciated the opportunity to talk to her today.
“Did Mr. Cranston tell you what we wanted to discuss?”
“Yes. Like I told you on Sunday, I’m innocent.”
“I want to believe you, Tiffany, but the evidence tells a different story. Maybe we should go back to the beginning and start over. You need to tell me how you happened to be driving Mr. Blunt’s car to the airport after he was dead.”
“I don’t think he was dead when they say he was because he texted me on Thursday morning. He wanted me to go to his house and take his car to the airport. His text said he caught an Uber but would need his car to get home. He said to park it in Lot B of long-term parking and leave the keys in the trunk. The message said I should contact Rob Moore to follow me for a ride back.”
“Was it normal for you to do such things in your daily work routine?” Dave asked.
“No, but nothing was normal with his transaction in Panama. There seemed to be some secrecy surrounding it. I just did what I was told. I love my job and need to keep it. I don’t know what will happen if my boss is dead.”
“Did you know anything about the transaction amount or how the funds were disbursed?” Candice asked, taking careful notes. She didn’t know whether it was fear or something else making Tiffany appear honest and forthcoming today.
“I knew nothing of the amount. Only that Mr. Blunt was carrying a bank draft to the meeting.”
“Did you know when the two of you left the office last Wednesday afternoon, he had the draft for seven million dollars in his possession?” Candice asked.
“Only that he had the draft. I had no idea it was for that much money. Maybe that’s why the secrecy.”
“Are you and Rob Moore romantically involved?” Dave asked, changing the subject.
“Please, don’t ask me about that. It’s against bank policy to date another employee. I’ll be fired.”
“It may be better to risk termination than a prison sentence. If he participated in this illegal funds transfer, you may be getting set up to take the fall,” Candice responded.
Tiffany's face reddened, and her lips quivered as she sat quietly thinking. Her voice cracked as she shook her head from side to side while relating her dating experience with Robert Moore.
“We only had one date. He pursued me and said it would be okay since he was an officer of the bank. He said it was nobody’s business, and no one would have to know we dated. He was a little disgusting that night. He expected me to sleep with him on the first date. I refused his advances and walked out of his apartment. I had to catch a cab home. The next day, he came to me and said there were no hard feelings. He said we just must not have been a match. It’s been hard seeing him in the office since that night.”
“Do you think he would have known about the transfer beforehand?” Candice asked.
“Of course, he would. He’s the treasurer of the corporation. He probably was one of the signers on the draft. I’m certain a draft that size requires more than one signature.”
“Why do you suppose Mr. Blunt would have told you to have Mr. Moore follow you to Logan to drop off his car?”
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t say I liked the situation at all. Mr. Blunt must have texted Rob Moore, too, because he came to me asking when I wanted him to follow me to drop off the car at the airport. He even drove me to Mr. Blunt’s house so I could pick up the car.”
“And you said the keys were in it?”
“Yes, and the side garage door was unlocked. You can ask the housekeeper. She saw me come in and get the car. I don’t think she speaks much English, but she seemed to understand I was picking up the car for Mr. Blunt.”
“Wait a minute. When you picked up the car, there was a housekeeper in the house?”
“Yes.”
“Just one more question, Ms. Strait. Did you save any of the texts from Mr. Blunt last week?”
“Of course I did, but they took my phone when they locked me in here.”
“Would you mind letting us have the jailer get your phone so we can see the texts?”
“Not at all. I keep telling them I’m innocent, but nobody believes me.”
Dave went to the door and rapped on it to get the guard's attention. The guard outside opened the door to allow Dave to speak. “Ms. Straight has a phone with her personal belongings. She has authorized us to look at some text activity on it. Can you have it brought in here?”
The door closed, and Dave returned to his seat. He looked at his watch, noting it was nearly time to meet with Moore. He leaned into Candice and asked if she wanted him to handle the other interview solo. She wasn’t really into the idea but gave him an affirmative nod while continuing to write notes from this interview. She felt they made progress. Dave returned to the door and rapped to be let out for the two o’clock meeting with Robert Moore.
Dave walked out and was led to another interview room where Moore waited with his attorney, Drake Langley, seated beside him. He extended his hand, introducing himself to Moore’s attorney. “I’m Agent Dave Washburn with the FBI.”
Drake Langley stood shaking Dave’s hand.
“Drake Langley. You know my client?”
“We’ve met,” Dave replied.
Dave took out his notebook and looked over at Moore. “I’m not here to interrogate you. I just want to figure out what caused the murder spree in Eagle Cove and why Viva Bank is missing seven million dollars. Are you willing to answer a few questions for me?”
Langley gave Moore an affirmative nod, and Moore looked at Dave. “I don’t know what I can tell you that I haven’t already said.”
“How were you involved with the funds transfer, Mr. Moore?”
“I’m the treasurer for the bank. I signed the draft that was issued to fund the transaction.”
“So, you were aware of the amount of the draft. Did you communicate with Mr. Blunt after he left the bank last Wednesday with it?”
“Only a text from him on Thursday morning asking me to follow his secretary driving his car to Logan and bring her back to work.”
“Did you think that was strange?”
“Yes, but he texted back, saying he took an Uber to the airport and would need his car to get home after his return. I agreed to do it.”
“What happened next?”
“I went to Tiffany to ask when she wanted to leave. I told her he texted asking that I follow her to Logan in his car and bring her back. We left shortly after, and I took her to his home, where she picked up the car from his garage. I followed her to Logan and took her back to work.”
“Did she seem nervous or strange on the ride back?”
“No.”
“We know the two of you were romantically involved. Did you talk about work on the ride back, or was the conversation personal?”
“First of all, we weren’t romantically involved. We had one date, and the bitch broomed me, rushing out the door and taking a cab home. Our conversation on the ride back was non-existent. The car was silent aside from the music on the radio.”
“Was Ms. Strait aware of the details of the transfer?”
“I don’t think she knew the amount. The details were kept quiet for security reasons. That doesn’t mean Blunt may not have shared some of it with her.”
“Who was aware of the details?”
“Only the rest of the board, including myself and Blunt. The transaction had to have the approval of the entire board.”
“Was it Mr. Blunt who brought in the business?”
“Yes. He met the developer from Panama last year and worked with him directly to get the business.”
“I assume the board looked at the project and the developer carefully before approving a deal of that magnitude?”
“We were satisfied the developer had a solid project for a high-end condo development on the Pacific coast. He had secured the site, and the plans were presented with the package. We looked at his background and that of his subcontractors. He had government approval in Panama. Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Loveland, and I went to Panama to review everything personally.”
“Did Mr. Blunt stand to profit from the deal?”
“His commission was substantial.”
“Do you have any reason to believe he was planning to extort funds from the bank?”
“The bank would never have approved it if it hadn’t seemed on the level. Blunt was a respected loan officer.”
“Have you ever met Carl Cravens?”
“No,” he stated firmly.
