Gifts From The Kasbah - Robert F. Clifton (read any book .TXT) 📗

made plans to marry”.

“Yep.

“Well, congratulations. Is there anything you would like to ask us?”, said Wallace.

“Yeah, two things. First, why didn't you read me my rights? Anything I just told you isn't worth a damn. Looks like you made a mistake. Second, can I leave?”

Wallace smiled. We didn't read you your rights because we haven't charged you with anything and incidentally what you have told us is not only interesting, but how do I say it?...beneficial”. And, you can go. Lots of luck in the future”.

After Spencer left, Wallace got up from his desk and looking at Stiles said, “ In two hours our shift is done for the day. Now, we could work overtime, but here's what I want to do. I'm taking the case home with me since there are a few things I want to use to refresh my memory. Tomorrow, bright and early I want you Stiles and you Myers to travel to Princeton University. There you will meet with Emma Prescott and convince her to return with both of you to Nautilus Beach.”

“And if she refuses?”, asked Stiles.

“Then you arrest her for lying to a police officer and obstruction of justice”. Looking at Tom McKenna he said,”Get over to the court and have an arrest warrant issued”. Then turning to Stiles he said, “Don't serve it unless you have to”.

“Got it”.

“Good, now let me get the hell out of here. I need a cup of coffee”, said Wallace as he placed the thick folder in his brief case”.

The next day, Wallace looked up to see Carol Myers entering his office. Then, he looked at the clock on the wall. It was two forty five. “What the hell took you so long?”, he asked.

“Traffic and lunch. Incidentally you owe me thirteen dollars and seventy five cents. Not only did I have to feed Emma Prescott but Frank as well. He never carries cash, or so he says. He did leave the tip, a whole dollar”, said Myers.

Wallace laughed. “Look how fast you're learning”.

“So far I've learned that Stiles and Mckenna are a coup[Le of cheap bastards”, said Myers.

“Where is he and where is Miss Prescott?”

“They're coming. She had to use the ladies room. Right now there's a uniformed police woman with her”.

While they waited Wallace prepared the tape recorder, then

124.

reached into the side drawer of his desk and removed a card containing the Miranda warning. Handing the card to Myers he said, “She's not the only one that has to go. When she arrives give her her rights and have her sign the card. I'll be right back”.

When he came back into his office he found Emma Prescott seated as two detectives watched her. He picked up the Miranda card and saw that Prescott had signed it. “How are you Miss Prescott? It's been awhile since we last met”. He said.

“How am I? Angry, that's how I am. Angry and embarrassed . Do you have any idea what it is like to have the police come to your dormitory and remove you for no reason and in front of your fellow students?”,she asked.

“I'm sure that like most citizens you shouted at the top of your lungs that there was a mistake. And, let me tell you from experience the student body will get over it and so will you. Now, it is my understanding that you have had lunch and was allowed to go to the ladies room. Is there anything else you might need before I start asking you some questions?”

“No but make it quick and I want you to know that I expect these two to take me back to Princeton”.

“Alright, let's see how good your memory is. A few months ago you came in here and we had a conversation. Do you remember?”

“Yes”.

“Oh good. Just in case one of us does forget, that conversation was recorded and typed into a police report. Now, here's what you said about Elizabeth Kerr's death. You said, I was in Spain at the time of her death. Do you recall making that statement?”

“Yes”.

“Actually, you were never in Spain during the Christmas holidays. We checked each and every airline leaving the United States and returning from Spain during your holiday break from Princeton. You weren't on board any flight”.

“I have nothing to say other than I had a reason at the time to tell you that”.

“And what woulds that reason be?”, asked Wallace.

“I had a medical problem”.

“I see. We'll come back to that. Another thing you told me was that you and Philip Spencer were not involved romantically, but just friends”.

“That's true”

“And, that you were not familiar with Gloria Esposito”.

“That's right.”

“Let me stop you right here, because you're digging yourself into a

125.

deep hole.”

“I don't know what you're talking about, a deep hole”.

OK. We'll play it your way. First of all, you and Philip are more than casual friends. We know this because you and him flew down to Mexico together to meet with members of a cartel”.

“That's not true”.

“No? Then explain this to me. This is a letter from the Guardian Air Travel Insurance Company confirming the fact that you, Emma Prescott did purchase flight insurance for yourself and Philip Spencer for flight 3709 Aztec Airlines, from Philadelphia to Cancun Mexico.”

“Simply a coincidence. We were both going to Mexico so we decided to travel together”.

“And, out of the goodness of your heart you decided to insure just a casual friend?”

“I'd like a glass of water if you don't mind”, said Emma.

“Stiles get the lady some water. Officer Myers will stay here and chaperone the both of us Miss Prescott. While we're waiting let me remind you about you and Gloria Esposito. The truth is you did know her. You knew her because she worked at the Kasbah first as a dancer and then as a delivery girl for you and Philip. And since Gloria or Fatima as she was also known as only danced on Wednesday's and you spent weekends with Philip at the club as well as his place you had to know her”.

“I've told you, Philip and I are only friends, nothing more. I don't know who told you things like me staying with him on weekends, but it isn't true”.

“Hmm. Just yesterday I spoke with Philip. Did you know that he has been arrested and charged with manufacturing and distributing narcotics?”

“Yes, I read it in the papers”.

“I see well, yesterday he told me that as he serves time in prison you promised to wait for him”.

“He lied to you”.

“He lied to me. If anyone has or is not telling the truth, it's you. Do you remember me asking you about flower petals?”

“Yes”

“You pleaded ignorance just as you've done here today. However, you know that flower petals were used to cover the odor of the black tar heroin you and Philip were sending out every night. Let me ask you, what can you tell me about oleander?”

“I don't know. I think it's a tropical plant, a bush, maybe a tree”.

126. Wallace reached into the pile of police reports on his desk. “You are Emma Prescott?”

“Certainly, you know I am'.

“And you live at eighteen hundred Chamberlain Drive, Nautilus Beach New Jersey?”

Yes”.

“Then. Explain this invoice from Miller's Nursery, in Franklin Township New Jersey showing that an order for two, potted oleander plants was filled and shipped to a Miss Emma Prescott, eighteen hundred Chamberlain Drive, nautilus Beach New Jersey.”

“I refuse to answer any more questions. I have a right to a lawyer and I want one now”, said Emma Prescott”.

“And you shall have one. At this time I must stop questioning you. But, I will tell you this. You are under arrest for the murder of Elizabeth Kerr and Gloria Esposito. You killed Elizabeth inviting her to your home and by feeding her a nice, fresh garden salad, one that you added several leaves from the oleander plant, knowing that it was highly poisonous. You did the same thing to Gloria, only you changed the recipe. That time you boiled the leaves and branches and added the potion to a nice spicy stew.”

“Where did you come up with that ridiculous idea?”, asked Prescott”.

“Actually, you gave me the idea. I went to Princeton and pulled your list of courses. You are taking biology and at the same time you joined the Princeton Botany Club.”.

“I would say that everything you have told me only means you have circumstantial evidence”, said Emma.

“That's a problem for the prosecutor, not me. Unfortunately for me you killed both women in Nautilus Beach which brought me into the case”. Looking at Stiles he said, “You and Myers, take her down stairs and book her”.

 

 

Jane Chambers opened the front door and saw Robert Wallace standing there with a bottle of champagne in his hand. She saw the smile on his face. “You've done it haven't you? You solved the case”, she said.

“Yep, and to celebrate I brought a bottle of the bubbly.”

“Good, because I also have something to celebrate. But first tell me, who killed Elizabeth?”

“Emma Prescott”.

“Oh my. Does Mr. and Mrs. Kerr know?”

127. “Yes”.

“What did they say?”

“I don't know. It wasn't me who informed them “.

“Keep talking, I'll get the glasses. You can open the bottle”

“OK. What are you celebrating?”, asked Wallace as he ran his finger over the engagement ring box in his pocket.

“The Kerr's bought a place in Paris and they want me to go with them”, she said.

Wallace took a deep breath then turned slowly, almost dropping the bottle he held in his hands. “And what did you say?”. He asked.

“Well, naturally I said yes. What would I say?”

“I was under the opinion that you and I had something special”, he replied.

“We do, but it's not like we intended to get married or anything”.

“Suppose I asked you to marry me, what would you say?”

“I'd say Robert, what's the hurry? We haven't even known each other for a year. This is an opportunity of a life time. I'll be living in Paris and getting paid for it. At the same time I plan to study art. This is a chance for me improve my painting. Then I'd say, who knows what the future hold for both of us', Jane said as she handed him a champagne glass.

Wallace poured the wine, filling two glasses. After handing her one glass he raised his and said. “Congratulations. Here's to your new life in France and home. I hope that your art career takes off. Now, I think I'll hit the road. It's been a tough case and a long day”.

“Certainly, I understand. Call me when you're free”.

“I will. Good by”.

Later, Robert Wallace opened his desk drawer and placed the black velvet covered ring box containing a one caret diamond ring inside. Next, he opened the receipt , read the words, Koon's Jewelers and the price, $ 5, 000.00. And he put that with the ring. Closing the drawer he picked up the telephone and dialed the old familiar number.

“Hello”?

“What are you doing?”

“None of your damn business. What do you want?”

“How much vacation time do you have?”

“Enough. Where are we going?”

“How about Vegas?”

“Fine with me”

128. “See you later.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imprint