HMO-02
Devane Donely Investigations
The clock face showed eight-thirty in the morning as Anna entered. She could hear voices coming from Sean's office. Curious, she made her way there. Inside, Sean was writing on the blackboard while Felicia made notes on a pad.
"Good Monday Morning. What's going on?" asked Anna.
"New case," said Sean.
"It sounds like it could be interesting," said Felicia.
Sean chuckled. "Bored with tracking down insurance frauds or cheating husbands?"
"A mystery is more exciting," replied Felicia.
Anna shrugged off her coat. "What mystery?"
"It may be nothing. Don't get your hopes up. Either of you," said Sean.
Anna took a seat. She read the blackboard. On it were what she assumed to be names: Alicia Montfort, Repose Hill and General Hospital. To the side were some texts that said: Cardiac and eighty million dollars.
"I was paid a visit last night by two wonderful ladies - Lila Quartermaine and Amanda Barrington," said Sean.
"Social visit?"
Sean shook his head. "Professional. Alicia Montfort, of the extremely influential and wealthy Montforts, died last week while convalescing from a broken hip at the Repose Hill assisted living facility. She was seventy years old, in robust good health and very sharp mentally. At the time of her death, she had sole control of the Montfort fortune of approximately eighty million dollars including the chairmanship of the Montfort Industries Board of Directors."
"I've read about the heirs scrambling for position and a piece of the Montfort pie," said Felicia.
"Alicia's will is scheduled to be read later this week. Until then, the estate trustee, Derek Barrington, has control. His mother Amanda and Alicia were sisters. The Montforts are trying to overturn Derek's trusteeship on the basis that he is needlessly delaying the reading of the will," said Sean.
"Messy," said Anna.
"Gets better. Lila and Amanda talked to me on behalf of the Board of Directors. Derek, Lila, Amanda and the entire board do not believe that Alicia died of natural causes namely a heart attack," said Sean. "That's why Derek is delaying. He's trying to buy time for an investigation. The board has hired us to determine if Alicia Montfort could have been murdered. We have four days to prove that there is substantial reason and potential evidence to discover. If we are successful, then they will report the matter to the police as a case of murder."
"What happens to the fortune if this becomes a homicide? Who controls it?" asked Anna.
"The will is read but Derek retains majority control and can override any item on the will. You can imagine how the Montforts feel about that possible scenario becoming reality," said Sean.
"Murderous," said Felicia.
"Four days isn't a lot of time," said Anna.
"We don't have to solve it. Just build a case of reasonable doubt and suspicion which we will hand over to the board. They will take it from there," said Sean. "With the three of us-"
"Two," said Anna. "I have a missing person case."
"You do? Who?" asked Felicia.
"A customer of Ruby's is coming by later. His name is Gary Rohmer. His daughter Nicole has been missing for a few days," said Anna. "Mr. Rohmer hasn't filed a missing person report for some reason. He wants a private investigation."
"A runaway maybe," said Felicia.
"She's not a minor. I'll find out the details later," said Anna. "I'll help you out on the Montfort case as much as I can though."
"It might be better that you don't join Felicia and I on this one, Anna," said Sean.
"Why not?" asked Anna.
"Your social position has changed. You're the commissioner's wife now."
"So?"
"Perception. If they see you investigating, someone is going to link it to Robert and people may be less willing to talk."
"You're probably right."
Sean said, "Felicia, go to GH and see what you can find out. Alicia was taken there after her nurse found her on the floor of her room. I'm going to sound out the Montforts on their turf. Anna, good luck with your missing person."
"Let me know what I can help with behind the scenes," said Anna.
"I think we need to get another associate in," said Sean.
"Why? We're not overflowing with cases."
"Anna, you may not be able to devote as much time here as you normally do."
"Why not?" Anna's tone sharpened. "Has Robert said something to you about me working?"
"No. But I do remember all the social events and public relations that Holly had to go to or manage when she was married to Robert. Some days it seemed it was her full time job," said Sean.
"I'm not Holly."
"Obviously. But the duties and responsibilities are the same. Haven't you been getting invitations and calls for you and Robert or you alone?" asked Sean.
"Goes straight to voice mail or the circular file," said Anna.
Sean sighed. "Anna, you know that's not what you're supposed to do with them."
Anna groaned. "Do you have any idea how … how inane some of those things are? Grand openings of stores, charity fundraisers, cocktails, meet and greets and a dozen other frivolous things."
"The police commissioner is a public position and it carries certain social and political obligations," said Sean.
"I'm not a complete idiot. I have accepted a few," said Anna grudgingly.
"The ones you can't refuse?" asked Felicia.
"Yes those. I also accept the ones affecting the department directly like the police auxiliary events. I could do without the silly ones though," said Anna. "For example, we have a dinner engagement at the mayor's this Wednesday. I'll have to come up with suitably chatty topics, empty phrases of praise and sincere sounding compliments. Oh, joy. What a fantastic and glamorous life I lead."
Felicia and Sean laughed at Anna's dour expression.
"You go to these parties and talk about the same things to the same people. No meaningful discussions about art or literature or politics. It's all gossip and backstabbing comments. Then you have to keep track of who is speaking to whom and who's not. And somehow make sure that you don't alienate anyone no matter what," said Anna. "I'd rather stay home and watch a movie. A movie makes more sense."
Felicia and Sean laughed some more.
"Maybe Tif can give you some pointers," said Sean. "You don't have to enjoy them. That's not the point."
"What is the point?" asked Anna.
"Public relations. You're half of a very public figure. You can shield Robert from bullets but words, insinuations and barbed slurs are harder to block unless you see where they're coming from," said Sean. "Given recent history, do you get what I'm saying?"
"Yes. It's time for Robert to change jobs," said Anna.