Rip Tide - Robert F Clifton (red white and royal blue hardcover txt) 📗

in Butler's demeanor while he was being questioned by the police. Would he be calm and collected or rattled? Would he answer questions quickly, or search his mind for answers as he attempted to confuse and at the same time try to satisfy the inquirers?” Wallace removed the ball point pen from his shirt pocket and placed it next to the yellow, blue lined tablet on the table in front of him. He watched as Butler took a seat.

Wallace took a good look at the man as he entered the room. He was about five feet six inches tall, weighed about one hundred and forty pounds and had either a nice tan or was olive complected. His jet black hair was well oiled and combed straight back.

Even though it was July and hot and humid, Butler was attired in a powder blue blazer, dark blue shirt with an open collar, white pants, socks and shoes. A gold like chain hung around his neck and he wore a pinky ring.

Stiles opened by saying, “Mr. Butler, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy day and for agreeing to meet with us. First, I want to apologize for the fact that we are more or less forced to use this room for our meeting. As you probably know by reading the newspapers and watching television that the Pauline Harris case is the talk of the town. For us to meet in the Major Crime Squad offices would expose you to the scrutiny of the press. That is something we do not want to do. As a matter of fact what we really want to know from you is what you can tell us about Pauline Harris”.

Butler smiled, “I understand Sergeant. I have no problem coming here and answering any questions you may have”.

“Excellent. Now, we know that Pauline Harris worked for you as a fashion model at your agency. Did she work full time or part time?”,asked Stiles.

“Sergeant, we are a small agency. Most of our business is in relation to convention business here on the island. As a result all of our models work part time”.

“I see. At the same time, and we got this information from Pauline's family that she, and again, this is their opinion, not ours, that she was the youngest model working for your agency. Is that true?”

“Yes. Over time our clients began to express a desire for younger models”.

“Could you explain what you mean by young?”

“Sure, in the eighteen to twenty age bracket”.

“Then, I take it that your other models are older”.

“Yes'.

“How much older?”

“ From thirty to forty years old”.

“Really? I don't think I can ever remember seeing a fashion model at those ages”, said Myers.

“It depends on the fashion. Younger girls for younger styles. Older, mature women for more mellow styles”, answered Butler.

“Then, you do have older models”, said Myers.

“Of course, but allow me to mention that depending on the fashions and the desires of the clients we can bring in professional models from say, New York and Philadelphia of course now we're talking about a much larger fee incurred by the models.”

“How much of a larger fee?”, asked Stiles.

“A top notch model can demand two thousand a day”.

“And, what do you pay your local models?”, asked Myers.

“The majority of the time our models receive between two hundred and four hundred dollars a day”.

“Who decides on what Fashion to display?”, asked Myers.

“The client most often dictates what they want to see. One time it could be cruise and beach wear. Another time it might be cocktail or evening wear.”

“I see and who decides on which designs are to be shown?”, asked Myers.

“Usually, my wife, Erica. There are quite a few men who are aware of current designs and designers. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. Speaking of designs, I'm afraid I have to bring up the subject of the Kalinka dress. Right now it looks like we're going to have to pay almost fifteen hundred dollars, just because our model was wearing it when she was murdered”.

“That is unfortunate. We have been in touch with Mrs. Butler and as far as I know the matter has been referred to the County Prosecutor”, said Stiles.

“What can you tell us about Pauline Harris?”, asked Myers.

“Not too much. She was a nice girl, young as you know, attractive, the college girl type. That was what we were looking for when we hired her”.

“Then you wanted her to model fashions for the campus co-ed”, said Myers.

“Exactly. She was the ideal college girl. Blond, blue eyes, happy, perky. It's a shame what happened to her. I believe that she might have transformed into one of the top models in our agency”.

“Do you remember her having any problems, such as arguments with other models or being bothered by male observers during the shows?”, asked Stiles.

“No, as a matter of fact, congeniality and compatibility are required with all our models. And, one of my responsibilities is the safe guarding of the reputation and physical well being of all our ladies.”

“Well, Mr. Butler, unless Detective Myers has any further questions I want to thank you for coming in. However, should you remember anything that might help us in our investigation please contact us. Carol, any questions?”

“No Sergeant”.

“Then, thanks again”, said Stiles as he shook hands with Derrick Butler.

After Butler left, Wallace walked into the interrogation room and sat down at the table with Stiles and Myers. “Well, what do you think?', asked Stiles.

“ First of all, he's a bullshit artist. I noticed that phoney brass necklace he wants everyone to think that it's gold. At the same time the diamond pinky ring is a zircon. I found him well spoken, but many con artists have mastered the art of conversation. At this time we already know from witnesses that he is the errand boy in the agency. However, I did pick up on one thing”, said Wallace.

“What's that Cap?”, asked Myers.

“The fact that he considers himself to be responsible for the reputation and physical well being of all his ladies”.

“That's the same job as any pimp”, said Stiles.

“Exactly”.

When Wallace returned to his office he found a large manila envelope on his desk. Picking it up and recognizing Mary's handwriting he took a seat and opened the package then removed several xerox copies of news articles.

The first thing he picked up was a black and white copy of a photo showing John Hanes and his wife accepting a large trophy. Wallace looked at the date and saw July 20, 1975. The caption read, “John and Martha Hanes winners of the Nautilus Beach Tuna Tournament accept the winning prize for catching a 320 lb. Blue fin tuna on their boat the, U Owe Me.”

Wallace looked at the calendar on his desk. “This year the tournament will run from Friday, July 21, to Sunday the 23rd.That could be why Mckenna couldn't find the Hane's boat. It might be getting fitted out for the contest”, he thought to himself as he selected another news article.

This one was date February 9, 1972. It read, “Local Broker Acquitted in Insider Trading Case”.

Leaning back in his chair Captain Wallace read, “Newark, N.J.

Judge Ronald Bingham showed skepticism in the governments case against local Stock Broker John Hanes tossing out two insider trader counts, leaving only a conspiracy charge to go to the jury. After four hours of deliberation the jury found John Hanes of Nautilus Beach, N.J. not guilty”.

Wallace made notes on his pad, “Insider trades?”

Picking up another copied newspaper photograph with a caption, Wallace saw a picture of John and Martha Hanes with Erica and Derrick Butler. The subtitle read, “Local business owners enjoy United Nations Handicap at the Atlantic City, Race Track”. There was no story line.

Wallace reached for the telephone, dialed three numbers and waited for an answer.

“Marine Patrol, Sergeant Dilkes”.

“Don? Captain Wallace. Are you assigned to the upcoming Tuna Tournament?”

“Only in the Inlet. We stand by there when the boats go out and come back in. The Coast Guard has responsibility out at sea”.

“Any problem with me putting one of my squad members on board the police boat”?

“No, just as long as he doesn’t get in the way”.

“Fine, what time are you leaving the dock?”

“In the morning, about six or seven. Late afternoon four of five. We haven't got the exact times for the hours set for each day of the tournament”.

“That's O.K. my man will be there on the afternoon detail”.

“Good, mind if I ask who it will be?”

“Not at all, Tom McKenna”.

“Excellent, he's a good man”.

“Thanks Don”.

Wallace disconnected his call with Dilkes and called for McKenna.

When the detective entered the office the Captain looked at him and said, “What did you find out about the, U Owe Me?”

“It's in dry dock over on Sabastian Island. Seems the engines are being tuned up for a fishing contest, plus they're replacing a propeller”.

“Good, that figures. Now, since you're always bitching and moaning about dirty details and getting the shitty end of the stick all the time. I have a real nice assignment for you”.

“Oh, oh. Now What?”

“I'm assigning you to the police boat. I want you on board in the afternoon boat detail. When the U Owe Me comes into port at the end of the day I want you to look and see if either of the Butler's are on board”.

“No problem. Anything else?”

“Yeah, call Sergeant Dilkes and get the time he'll be leaving the dock and knowing you, go to the drug store and get a bottle of Dramamine “.

“Yes sir”.

Wallace sat in front of the desk of the County Prosecutor. James Elroy was fairly new in the job. He had been a U.S. Attorney serving both in Washington D.C. and Newark, N.J. Now, as an Atlantic County native he had come back home to practice law. Instead, he took an appointment from the governor to be the new prosecutor. Wallace had only met him a few times, but he liked him.

“So, tell me again what you want me to do”, said Elroy.

“I want you to borrow Sergeant Gwen Phillips from the Cape May county Prosecutors Office”.

“Why again?”

“I want to use her as an undercover officer as we investigate the Nautilus Beach Modeling Agency and the Mariner Trust”.

“Why not use one of my female detectives?”

“No offense, but your female officers won't cut it applying for a modeling job”.

“And, this Qwen Phillips will?”

“Positively. When she was eighteen she won the Miss Wildwood Contest. She also modeled in New York for the Fonter Modeling Agency. She worked there for two years. If the Butlers check her resume' and I'm sure they will, they'll find her listed there as a past employee”.

“Alright, I understand. Now, you intend to have her wired at times. Why?”

“As I've mentioned Derrick Butler, alias Desilvio has a record as a pimp. You and I have an open homicide investigation. We have a victim and possible suspects. What we don't have right now is a motive. Two witnesses have told us that Butler or Desilvio had propositioned them to become prostitutes kicking back part of their earning to him. If he proposes the same thing to our operative I want it on tape”.

“Then, we should have a court order”.

“Exactly, that where you come in”.

“What about Hanes and the Mariner Trust?”

“To be honest with you at this time I don't know. I just have a gut feeling that Hanes and Butler are involved in something. I'm still digging.”

“Here's what I'll do. I'll contact Cape May and try to get Miss Phillips for you. At the same time I'll get a court order for the listening device to be used on the Butler's. Until you can give me evidence of probable cause on the Hanes I won't grant a wire”.

“Fair enough”.

“Do you anticipate any problems with Miss Phillips? By that I mean can she do the job?”

“Yes sir. First of all she is the niece of Doctor Manfred Edwards the former Medical Examiner for Nautilus Beach. I've known her for many