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

guy who knows too much. Then why a folder at all? I think J.H. screwed up. He made another mistake, another error”,Wallace thought to himself.

Sergeant Stiles came back and said, “Landover, Maryland's law enforcement agency is the Prince George County Police Department. I spoke to a Captain Edgar Toth. He's sending a radio car to the home of Alice Baldwin to give her your message.”

“Thanks Frank. Let's see where that takes us. I'm going to finish with what I have here then send all of it down to C.I.S.. After that we'll get together with the crew and go over what we might have to do and say in court tomorrow”.

At nine o'clock the next morning members of the Vice and Major Crime Squads sat in the first row of seats in Municipal Court. Much to their surprise Judge Wilkins had recuse himself from the case and Judge Edward Hopkins took the bench. Walter Sims. A local Attorney At Law represented Martha and John Hanes as well as Derrick Butler.

The three defendants in the case stood when asked by the judge for their plea and all of them pleaded, “Not Guilty”.

Walter Sims requested that the case against the three be dismissed do lack of evidence. Judge Hopkins denied the request and Sergeant Qwen Phillips took the stand. She testified how Martha Hanes had suggested how to make additional income by modeling in private sessions. She also stated how Martha Hanes had set up a private session with one Donald Trainer, who actually was, Captain William O'Neil of the Nautilus Beach Police Department's Vice Squad.

“You say that Mrs. Hanes suggested that you could make extra income by modeling in private showings. Is that correct?”, asked Sims.

“Yes”.

“Did she ever say that you were to engage in sexual conduct?”

“In my opinion it was implied”.

“Objection your honor. Implications from the witness are not valid”.

“Sustained. Sergeant, do not testify to what you thought or what your opinion was at the time. Do you understand?”, asked Judge Hopkins.

“Yes your honor”.

“No further questions”.

“Captain William O'Neil”, called the judge.

After being sworn, O'Neil testified about the conversation he had with Martha Hanes at the convention center, at the Sand Piper Hotel and at her home. Each time he did he was challenged by Sims.”Captain, like the witness before you not once have you stated that sexual relations were offered for a fee, not once. Your honor I submit to the court that the first witness used implications and this witness is using innuendos. I respectfully again request that the charges against my clients be dismissed.”

Judge Hopkins looked down from the bench at O'Neil seated in the

witness chair and said, “Captain can you testify that particular words were said by Mrs. Hanes that would indicate that she was offering sexual favors for money?”

“Yes sir”

“And what was said or done to lead you to that conclusion?”

“The fact that Mrs. Hanes accepted five marked, one hundred dollar bills from me. The fact that when I mentioned that the money was for a toss in the hay she stated that it would take place in a bedroom, not the living room. And finally, the fact that she asked if I wanted to see the top of her or the bottom. When I said top, she removed her blouse and brassier resulting in her exposing her bare breasts”.

“Objection your honor!”, said Sims.

“Over ruled. The Court recommends that this case be referred to the Superior Court”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twelve

Acid Tongues

 

Robert Wallace was sitting comfortably in his leather covered recliner. His eyes were closed as he listened to the violins being played in the recording of Scheherazade, The Tale of The Young Prince and Princess.

Just when the orchestra got to his favorite section of the piece his telephone rang, interrupting his concentration and mood. “Son of a bitch, this better be important”, he said aloud.

He got up out of the chair, walked to his desk and lifted the receiver. “HELLO?”, he said in a loud voice.

“Is this Captain Robert Wallace?”, someone with a husky voice asked.

“Who is this?”

“This is Al Baldwin. The police came to my house and said that you wanted me to call you”.

“That's correct. I would like to talk to you about a certain incident that occurred here in Nautilus Beach on May the twentieth of last year, 1977”.

“The only way that I would talk to you or any police officer would be in the presence of my attorney. I certainly will not discuss anything on the telephone”.

“I understand, Miss? Mrs.?

“Just call me Al”.

“Alright Al. Let me advise you that my reason to want to talk to you is that I consider you a victim. I see you as a victim of a conspiracy and as a victim of attempted extortion. I want to put those people who victimized you behind bars”.

“You do know that I am gay”.

“That does not matter to me. I consider your way of life a private matter”.

“You are the first police officer I have spoke to that feels that way”.

“And, allow me to emphasize that I'm sincere when I say it”.

“Well, as I said, I will talk with you providing my lawyer is sitting next to me”.

“Why don't we do this. Contact your attorney and set up a meeting.

It can be at your home, a hotel room or his office. I'll leave it up to you”.

“I'll have her call you”.

“I look forward to it and meeting you”.

“Good by Captain”.

“Good night”.

The next morning after talking on the telephone with the County Prosecutor Wallace hung up the telephone and called for Tom McKenna.

Five minutes later McKenna entered the office. “Yes sir?”

“You know how you always complain how, you never get to go anywhere? How, all you do is ride around the island and other parts of New Jersey?”, asked Wallace.

“Yeah, some times it feels that way”.

“Well cheer up. You're going on a trip”.

“Where”?

“Ivin Utah. You and Fred Miller from the prosecutors office. You'll fly out of Philly airport, land in Utah, rent a car and interview one, Martin Donahue. We want to know about the shake down John Hanes conducted on him or anyone else for that matter”.

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow”.

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes. I want his statement on paper and with his signature”.

“What's next Cap?”

“I'm waiting to hear from an attorney that hopefully sets up a meeting with another witness”.

“Is it O.K. If I take off. I have a couple of things to do and I have to pack”.

“Fine, check with Miller about tickets, ready cash and how you're getting to the airport”.

An hour later, Wallace answered the ringing telephone on his desk.

“Some day I'm going to insist I get a secretary if to do nothing else then answer the damn telephone”,he thought.

“Major Crime Squad, Captain Wallace”, he answered.

“Captain. This is Jessica Sanford. I am Alice Baldwin's attorney.”

“Hello, and thank you for calling”.

“You're welcome. Now as I understand it, you wish to question my client on a criminal matter that occurred in your city, some time last year”.

“That's correct”.

“Am I also correct in assuming that in this matter my client was the victim and not the perpetrator?”

“Also correct”.

“Very well. Miss Baldwin has given me the option to pick the place and time. Is that agreeable with you?'

“Yes, it is”.

“Then, may I suggest that we meet privately here in my office”.

“No problem”.

“Fine, I'm located in Northwest Washington, D.C.. How and when do you plan on arriving?”

“I think the best thing for us is to travel by train then take a cab to your office”.

“I see. I'm not familiar with train schedules. To be safe suppose we conduct the meeting at two in the afternoon next Wednesday. That's the thirteenth of September. Is that alright for you?”

“Yes”.

“Good. My office is located at nine ten Seventeenth Street, fourth floor in the Hampton, Office Suites”.

“Excellent, I look forward to meeting you and Miss Baldwin”.

“Good day, Captain.

“Bye”.

Wallace hung up the receiver then wrote the name of Jessica Sanford along with her office address on the yellow tablet on his desk.

He then called for Sergeant Stiles.

After Stiles was briefed on the arrangements in Washington He was ordered to make reservations and get tickets for the rail lines from Atlantic City to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Wilmington Delaware and from Wilmington to Washington, D.C.

“How come we're going by train?”, asked Stiles.

“Two reasons, too much traffic on Route Forty and too much traffic in D.C. After you get the times for the trains we can decide how to pack and if we're staying over”.

“If we stay over we could get to go to the Smithsonian”, Stiles suggested.

“Forget it. Go get the tickets and train schedule. I have to make a call to a guy I know in Toronto. Hopefully he'll be able to track down Homer Buel”.

Two days later Captain Wallace accepted telephone charges from Tom McKenna. “Tom? How did you make out?”, he asked.

“Not good. The guy insisted that he knows nothing about being extorted by anyone, particularly anyone from Nautilus Beach New Jersey”.

“Did you tell him that he could possibly be helpful in the investigation of the Pauline Harris murder?”

“Yes sir. He said, that it wasn't his problem”.

“Damn it, why won't he talk?”

“Probably because he's well respected in the church and is married with three kids. Anyway, we did everything that we could to get him to give us a statement. Still, he wouldn't budge. What do you want us to do?”

“Nothing. We could threaten to expose the tape with him in it, but that would be unethical. Come back home. You and Miller make separate reports”.

“Yes sir, see you some time tomorrow or the next day”.

“Whenever”.

Detective Myers came in and submitted her reports. “This more or less catches me up”, she said.

“Thanks Carol”.

“I understand that you and Sergeant Stiles are going to Washington”.

“That's right”.

“Anything special you want from me while you're gone?”

“The only thing I can think of is that I have contacted a Lieutenant,

Frank Burnside in the Toronto P.D. He was a classmate of mine in the F.B.I. National Academy. Hopefully he's digging up information on Homer Bule.

If he calls while I'm away make sure you get any and all information”.

“Is that all?”

“Yep”.

**********************

On Wednesday, September 13, 1978, the taxi cab transporting Captain Wallace and Sergeant Stiles stopped in front of 910 Seventeenth Street, in Washington. D.C. As Stiles paid the fare and waited for a receipt

Wallace stood looking up at the marque that read, “Hampton Office Suites”.

Stiles placed the receipt in his pants pocket and joined Wallace. “What floor do we want?”, he asked.

“The fourth. Jessica Sanford, Attorney At Law”.

“Here it is, room 406”.

Both men entered a vacant elevator. Wallace pushed the button that closed the stainless steel doors and the number 4 floor button.

After a minute they stepped out on to a thick, red carpet. Wallace looked at the frosted glass paneled office doors each one baring the number of the unit. “Four hundred, four zero two. Here it is”, he said.

After opening the door and walking in they stopped at a receptionist desk where a young, attractive, well dressed young woman greeted them. “You must be Captain Wallace”.

“Yes I am and may I introduce Sergeant Stiles.”

“Hello Sergeant. Gentlemen, you are somewhat early, however, Mrs. Sanford is waiting for you. Come this way”.

Wallace and Stiles followed the young woman through an open door and as they entered Wallace saw a pleasingly good looking woman seated behind a large desk. She got up out of her chair and extended her hand. “Good afternoon gentlemen. I am Jessica Sanford and this is Alice Baldwin”, said Sanford, pointing to a rather tall husky woman seated in a chair.

“It's a pleasure meeting both of you and I would like to thank you for your co-operation”, said Wallace.

“I suggest that we conduct this, ah, this interview at the conference table. That way we won't be straining our necks trying to talk to each other or attempting to balance note pads on our knees. At the same time you will notice I have the VCR and monitor set up. Please Captain, Sergeant take a