*Jason's Art Gallery*
Two blocks away from the last art gallery was another similar gallery, only a little less extravagant. Kate and Rick stepped into the compounds of Jason's Art Gallery, following up on their latest lead on the murder case. A middle aged man is seated at the counter writing on a few pieces of paper. He pushes them aside as he sees them both approaching.
"Looking for something to place in your new home, I suppose?" the man gets up from his seat and smiles at Kate.
"Oh no, we're not-," Kate says just as Rick says, "Yes, I was wondering if-," at the same time. They look at each other, with Kate raising her eyebrow at him.
"I'm Detective Beckett and I'm looking for Mr. Jason Duncan," she turns back to Jason as she shows her badge.
"That's me. Jason Duncan," the man replies, wiping off the smile he had on before.
"Mr. Duncan, we're investigating the murders of Jordan Chambers and Dominic Hamilton," Kate says.
"I'm sorry, who?"
"You'll know them by Daryl Harper's employees," Kate answers.
Jason scowls at the sound of his rival's name. "Harper? Yeah I know him. His employees? Couldn't be bothered."
"So you didn't know them at all?"
"No."
"But you certainly knew Daryl Harper," Rick adds.
"That man is a cheating bastard who steals other people's business! His employee's were killed? He probably caused it and deserved it," Jason grew angry.
"Just like the threat you sent?" Kate asks.
"What?" Jason raises an eyebrow, looking as if he does not know what she was talking about. Kate pulls out an evidence bag containing the threat note and places it on the countertop.
"You think that's mine?" Jason says defensively. Kate then picks up a piece of paper Jason was writing on earlier which he had pushed aside to talk to them. She places it right next to the threat note. The handwritings match. That distinguished curve to the way the letter 'A' and 'R' was written are present in both writings.
"Looks very much alike to me, don't you think?" Kate turns to ask Rick.
"Oh yes. I know this guy with this software that can match handwritings. I think he won't mind us dropping by for a bit," Rick plays along.
"And then we can come back and arrest you for lying and obstruction of justice."
"Ooh I hear there's been quite a number of gang related cases this time of the year. One night in the same cell would be an eventful one"
"Yeah we just raided this bar last night. They're probably still drunk and under the influence," Kate smirks.
"Okay, okay! I sent that note alright," Jason finally admits. "But I have nothing to do with the murders."
"Why did you send the threat?" Kate asks.
"I wanted to scare him a little," Jason answers. "The bastard took away my rising star!"
"Leonard Cahill," Rick adds.
"Yeah. So he's told you about this situation already," Jason rolls his eyes. "Probably told you guys a bunch of lies. That's what he does best."
"Tell us your side of the story," Kate says.
"I saw Leonard's works and I knew instantly that he was the next big thing. He was gonna be real famous and I wanted to be a part of it. So I had booked Leonard for a show at my gallery. The whole show was already set up and even the damn invitations were sent!" Jason starts his version. "Then one week before the show, Leonard calls to say that he has a better offer from the bastard. He was paying him twice the amount I was paying so I couldn't compete with that. Had to let him go."
"That's when you threaten him?" Kate asks.
"Letting Leonard go was one thing I couldn't compete with. But what I couldn't take was the bastard didn't even have the nerve to come down here himself to settle all the cost for my show," Jason says, anger in his eyes. "That's why I hated him from the bottom of my gut."
"So if Daryl paid off all the costs, why are you so upset? You didn't make a lost on financial terms," Rick asks.
"You don't understand. It isn't all about the money," Jason tells him. "It was my one and only shot to bring a name to my gallery! Leonard was going to be my big break. All these years, I've been overshadowed by the glamourous Harper Fine Arts. With Leonard, we were gonna attract more collectors and other artists too."
*Harper Fine Arts*
While Kate and Rick were at the other gallery, Peter and Neal stayed back with the Crime Scene Unit at the victim's gallery to investigate the robbery. Neal approaches the empty walls looking for anything that the robbers may have left.
"So the alarm system was switched off. They knew what they were dealing with," Peter walks towards Neal after talking to one of the CSU guys.
"Or it's an inside job," Neal suggests.
"What makes you say that?" Peter asks.
"These artworks haven't been shown to the public yet. No one knows what they look like except for those who work here."
"That makes two other employees and Harper himself. Think he's trying to get the insurance money?"
"Doesn't make sense. He isn't in any financial crisis."
"But we can't rule him out yet. I'll get Diana to do a background check on the other two employees," Peter speed dials his co-worker as he walks away.
Neal continues walking along all the walls that were stripped of their artworks. He was onto wall number five when he notices a bluish smudge. The smudge was about the height of head level. There weren't any on the other walls but this one. Peter got off the phone with Diana and joins Neal at the ink-stained wall.
"The other two employees checks out. No records and clean." Peter fills Neal in. "What do you have?" Peter asks, realizing that Neal wasn't paying attention to what he just said and still staring at the smudge.
"This stain here," Neal answers.
"Cleaner not doing his job too well? Could be left by anyone."
"I don't think so. It's too high for anyone to just leave it there."
"So you think it's the robbers?"
Neal nods, "Yeah."
Peter signals for one of the CSU members on the other side of the room who were dusting for fingerprints. He tells him to send a sample of the smudge to trace. The guy nods and did as he was told.
"Speaking of the cleaner…" Neal says as he spots a man mopping the floor at the back of the room where the CSU were done dusting and processing. He and Peter walk towards the cleaner.
"You're really going to tell him how to do his job?" Peter asks sarcastically.
Neal brushes his sarcasm off. "Being a cleaner, you get the best seat in every interesting gossip that happens."
"He might have seen or heard something," Peter adds, finally catching up to what Neal had in mind.
They approach the cleaner who looks like he need a clean himself, disheveled hair and a growing beard. Peter introduces himself, "Agent Burke and Neal Caffrey. We're with the FBI. Mind if we ask a few questions?"
"Nah. Carey Bennet," the man answers, as he sets aside his mop.
"How long you worked here?" Peter asks.
"A little under a year. I hope Mr. Harper doesn't plan to cut me out now that this happened," Carey sighs.
"Anything out of the ordinary that happened here lately?" Neal asks. Carey thinks for a bit.
"Any fights or people who have been frequently coming in?" Peter chips in.
"We get a lot of people here…" Carey says. "But not too long ago there was this guy who came in looking for Ms. Chambers. He looked like someone pissed him off."
"The assistant?" Peter asks.
"Yes."
"Did you see what happen?" Neal says.
"I didn't see but I heard some raised voices, a slap and some things falling."
"Have you ever seen this man come in here before?" Peter asks.
"I don't think so. Maybe he did and I didn't see? I don't know," Carey answers, feeling very helpless.
"So this man came in and struggled with Ms. Chambers?" Peter confirms. Carey nods. "Where did it take place?"
"At her table."
"Anything else happen after that?" Neal asks.
"I didn't want to get into any trouble so I went back to my job," Carey says.
"Alright, thank you Mr. Bennet," Peter thanks Carey. Carey nods and picks up his mop to continue cleaning.
Peter and Neal walks back out to the office where Carey says the struggle happened.
"I'll get the surveillance footage before we head back to the precinct," Peter says.
A/N: Sorry for the long delay for this chapter. Had exams this past week but I'm back now! :D
Do leave a review and tell me what you think so far! Thank you!