
My crime novel, The Throuple Private Eye— Business is Booming, was published as an e-book on Amazon for $2.99, Kindle Edition. The link is Amazon.com: Jen McDowell—Private Eye; Business is Booming (The Throuple Private Eye) eBook : Anderson, Monte: Books. It is the second in the series. If you would like to order the first eBook, The Throuple Private Eye—Hate Crimes, the link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084LTTHGN. I’d post excerpts from it in my blog. To read all the excerpts I previously posted, go to my website at monteranderson -author.com.
THE CASE OF REASONABLE DOUBT (Cont’d)
After a discussion about fees and other details, Keira left. Molly turned to Jen. “Do you think she knows Jonah was on the case.
Jen nodded. “I’m sure of it. That’s why she came to us. But it’s okay. She knows we’ll do a better job than anyone else. Listen, let’s split up these two cases. Take your pick.”
Molly thought for a moment. “If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to take Keira’s case. It sounds like it could be juicy.”
“Fine. I’ll take Charlize’s case. (See The Serial Killer Case) I think it will take longer.”
Molly said, “I’ll start with Ken’s workplace. I’ll see if we can meet with the HR director or with someone from the Environmental Services Department.” After a few phone calls, Molly announced, “I have a meeting with the HR Director at the hospital at 1500 hours. Why don’t you come with me?” Jen agreed.
Later, Jen and Molly started to head for the hospital. Molly folded up her walker and leaned it against the wall and grabbed her cane.
“Whoa,” Jen said. “What do think you’re doing?”
Molly smiled. “I thought I’d use my just cane. The walker just slows me down.”
“I think that’s the idea,” Jen said. “Did the doctor approve this?”
“Screw him. I’m using the cane today,” Molly shot back.
“Okay, okay,” Jen replied throwing her hands up in mock surrender. “But let’s just throw the walker in the back seat just in case.” She folded up the walker and the two of them headed outside.
Once at the hospital, they both donned facemasks and started inside. A hospital employee met them at the door. After verifying they had an appointment and taking their temperatures, they were allowed inside. The Human Resources office was on the first floor.
The meeting with HR didn’t go well. The HR Director cited confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). She added she had given all the pertinent information to the police already. She did say the hospital hadn’t replaced Ken yet, and they are currently doing interviews. However, she did agree to take Jen and Molly to Ken’s office to talk with his secretary, Mrs. Alexander, and left them there.
Mrs. Alexander was executive secretary for the Environmental Services Department. She was a slightly plumb woman in her mid-thirties. Her too tight blouse was bursting at the seams, exposing an ample breast with a red push-up bra. Her perfume filled the air of the small office.
After introductions, the secretary invited the women to sit in Ken’s larger office while they talked. Jen noticed all the documents posted on Ken’s walls: college diplomas and various certifications from various engineering organization. With Mrs. Alexandra’s permission, Molly took a picture of them with her cellphone.
“As you can see,” Mrs. Alexandria said, “Ken was a very smart man.” She pointed at his college diploma. He has a degree in engineering from Georgia University.” She pointed out other certifications. “He’s a Certified Plant and Maintenance Manager and a few months ago, he was certified as a Facility Engineer. That one’s a hard one to get. You must pass a four-hour exam.”
“Who does the certifying?” Jen asked.
“Ken attended the AFE conference in Tampa and tested for it there,” Mrs. Alexandra answered.
“AFE?” Molly asked.
“Oh, sorry,” Mrs. Alexandra apologized. “It stands for the Association for Facility Engineering. I’m so glad to see someone is investigating Sandra’s murder. I just know Ken didn’t do it. He couldn’t have.”
“Why is that Mrs. Alexandra?” Jen asked.
“Call me Milly, please. Ken was the nicest boss. He always talked about his wife--never a bad word.”
“Didn’t the police get a statement from you?” Jen asked.
“Oh heavens, no,” Milly answered. “No one from the police department came here.”
“Was there anything odd or out of place with Ken recently?” Molly asked.
“What do you mean?” Milly asked.
“Do think he was having an affair? Did he have any enemies?” Molly answered.
“You mean is there a jealous husband who might want him dead? No, of course not. I don’t know if he had enemies here at work. Although…”
What?” Jen asked. “What were you going to say?”
“Well. It’s not my place to say, but there was one employee Ken had to fire recently. He might have held a grudge.”
“Who?” Molly asked. “What happened?”
“His name is Frank Bean, one of the maintenance guys. Ken fired him for misusing overtime. Frank was always a hothead. He and Ken had words when Ken fired him, and I think Frank threatened Ken.”
To be continued…
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