personal items from her car and wanted to deliver them to you.” Harrison shook Jeffrey’s hand. “Why didn’t you come to my office?” Harrison was looking around the district attorney to determine if anyone else was with him. “I tried your office but when I called they said you had left. I was already out this way and decided to see if I could catch you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Harrison began walking back to his car. He unlocked the door and grabbed his briefcase. Turning back toward the house he told Jeffrey to follow him inside. Jeffrey tried to exchange pleasantries as the two entered the house and made their way to Harrison’s office but he quickly realized Harrison was not in the mood. Upon entering the office, Harrison placed his briefcase beside his desk and sat down across from Jeffrey. “I appreciate your coming here Jeffrey and I didn’t mean to be short with you but I am heading to the airport and don’t have much time.” “I understand, Mr. Michaels, and I will not keep you long, I promise. Like I stated earlier I just wanted to give you your wife’s personal belongings.” With that Jeffrey handed Harrison a large package. Harrison took the package and placed it on his desk. Jeffrey looked at him as if he was waiting for Harrison to open the package but Harrison just sat at his desk.
“Again I appreciate your coming here. Is there anything else I can do for you?” Harrison’s tone made it clear he was ready for Jeffrey to leave. “I was hoping you could give me some help with your wife’s case,” Jeffrey stated as he reached in his coat pocket for a tablet and pen. “As you know we have arrested your former secretary, Elizabeth Blaine. The evidence points to her being the culprit but I have one problem.” “And what problem is that, Mr. Taylor?” “I don’t have a motive. Tell me Harrison, do you know of any reason why Elizabeth Blaine would want your wife dead?” The District Attorney’s tone changed from inquisitive to accusatory. He had leaned forward in his chair and was looking directly at Harrison.
If this was a tactic to make Harrison flinch, it did not work. Harrison never took his eyes off the District Attorney as he slowly rose from his chair and leaned across the desk. “I don’t know of any reason, Mr. Taylor, but I do know one thing. I know I can have you in private practice faster than you think.” “Now Mr. Michaels, there’s no reason to become hostile. I am not accusing you of anything. I am just trying to figure out why Ms. Blaine would want your wife dead.” The fact Mr. Taylor could maintain the look on his face without smiling was a tribute to his years in the courtroom. While Harrison did not confess to anything, Jeffrey knew by his reaction to this question the second time it was posed, Harrison was hiding something. But there was no reason to press the matter now. Standing, Mr. Taylor again apologized for the rudeness of his question and stated he only intended to bring Mary’s personal belongings to Harrison. Harrison came from the back of the desk and escorted Jeffrey to the door. Watching as Jeffrey drove away, Harrison decided he better find out what he could about the district attorney. It might prove helpful in the future. Turning and walking back to his office, he sat at his desk and stared at the package before him.
Following several minutes of nothing but staring, Harrison got up and fixed himself a drink. He didn’t have to leave even for ice with the small refrigerator built into the bar. Returning to his seat he pulled the package to him and began opening it. Slowly he reached inside and pulled out Mary’s purse. It was one of those small purses women carried when dressed in business attire. Looking at the purse, Harrison knew Mary had been dressed in a blue skirt with a blouse and jacket. She had been attending to one of her charities the night she died. Holding the purse he imagined Mary at the function. Mary would be gliding from one group of people to another carefully soliciting donations to her charity. Mary was accomplished in having people believe it was their idea to donate large sums of money to her causes. It was easy for her, given her love for the children the charities helped. Harrison figured Mary’s work filled the void of not having children of her own. It also helped that Mary’s work centered on her charities. The functions Mary held were lavish. The elite would attend dressed to the nines. Mary was the consummate planner. She was smart enough to allow the men areas to conduct business knowing they were going to do so anyway. The women were mostly socialites concerned only with the latest events and the importance of being asked to attend. Mary would see to both groups with equal zeal. She had the ability to find comfort in both worlds, appreciating the importance of each. Before the evening was over the women would be photographed with their corporate spouses for the local papers, handing Mary large donations. Harrison took his place in the background, only assisting when Mary needed help giving an executive an extra nudge to loosen his purse strings.
Opening the purse Harrison retrieved Mary’s wallet. He unzipped the pocketbook and laid it open on the desk. Picking through the contents he looked a Mary’s credit cards and driver’s license. It still amazed him she could take such a good driver’s license picture. Harrison came across several business cards and began thumbing through them. He hadn’t flipped through but a couple when he stopped suddenly. Harrison read the card repeatedly as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His mind raced with thoughts of when a meeting could have occurred and what type conversation would have transpired. Harrison turned the business card over and a telephone number was written on the back. Looking again at the front, Harrison was determined to call to the number on back and have a talk with Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent, Natalie Johnson.
Placing the business card aside Harrison reached back in the package and pulled out several items of jewelry. The necklace he remembered giving Mary as a gift. It was the Christmas they spent in Colorado. Mary looked so beautiful in the glow of the fireplace and Harrison smiled as he thought of the look on her face when she opened the necklace. Suddenly Harrison remembered Mary’s body lying on the table at the funeral home. Frantically he tore through the package and dumped the contents on his desk. He found an earring and shuffled through some papers until he discovered the other. “Where is it? It has to be here!” Harrison was throwing the papers on the floor and grabbed a sweater and tossed it to the side. Mary’s wedding ring fell out of the sweater and landed on the floor. Harrison leapt down and picked the ring up and held it in his hands. He stared at the ring for several minutes while his heart settled. Finally he gathered the papers and jewelry and placed them in his safe. Turning to exit the room, Harrison placed the business card in his wallet and left for the airport.
“He’s on the move again.” John Daniels was at a full run when he entered Natalie’s office. “What!” “He’s on the move. He has the company plane fueled and waiting at the airport.” John was still trying to catch his breath as he spoke. “How is it I am part of the largest investigative agency in the world and am the last to know that my prime suspect is leaving town?” Natalie was shouting as she leapt out of her chair. John explained that his connection at the airport did not arrive for work until the afternoon shift and contacted him immediately upon seeing the bank’s pilots. The informant further stated there was not a definite departure time but the destination was the Cayman Islands. This the informant learned directly from the pilots. Thankfully they always loved to brag to the ground crew where they were going.
Natalie instructed John to get to the islands and report what Harrison did and with whom he had contact. She asked if anyone knew for which company Harrison would be making the transactions. John wasn’t sure because the information hadn’t come from the accounting department with the bureau. They weren’t even sure if Harrison was making transactions on behalf of a company. “Not sure he is making a transaction?” Natalie was almost shouting. “Most banking transactions were made from Harrison’s office. His wife just died and he hasn’t even buried her. There certainly isn’t any need for him to travel to the islands unless it is to transfer funds.” Natalie’s frustration with the ineptness of her associates was beginning to show. She picked up the telephone and instructed the accounting department to bring her the latest data on Harrison Michaels. “I will contact you with the information.” John nodded his understanding and left the office for the airport. Natalie sat back down at her desk and impatiently waited for the requested information.
When the paperwork was delivered, Natalie snatched it from the runner’s hand without acknowledging his existence. She quickly began reviewing the
