21 Sarah Charles vs Shrugged Shoulders
This chapter has a little bit more comedy in it than usual, but sets up what is probably the darkest issue I've ever dealt with as a writer coming up soon, as well as opens the door to make good on several pieces of Chuck canon being woven in as the story winds down.
Many readers will be able to guess 'whodunit' before the final reveal. I give out far more specific clues than I did in the Deadly Debutante mystery. But I warn you, pay attention to the clues now, so you catch the twist at the end.
Look for parts of the B 'Family' plot to overpower and merge into the A 'Murder Mystery' plot. IMO this last arc could be titled "The things we do for Love!" See if you agree?
XXXXXXXXXX Staircase Banter, 8/15/1930, 7 AM
Within minutes of Devon's visit, Mr and Mrs Charles, accompanied by Asta on his leash, descended the apartment stairs.
"Chuck, your hair's a mess." Sarah smiled as she fussed with Chuck's hair.
"Hair isn't my strong point Mrs Charles. We can't all look perfect like you." Chuck stared at Sarah, "But come to think of it, you forgot to brush your own hair."
Sarah laughed at the criticism, "I think you're right. Oh well. Too late now. The Charles will have to go on this investigation a bit messed up. Even Asta is a bit ruffled."
"Ruff. Ruff." Asta acknowledged his inclusion in the family hair problem.
Chuck still had Orion on his mind, "Mrs Charles, what is it with you and Orion? He electrocuted the last person who tried to call him Stephen. The man's heart stopped for over a minute, before Orion did something to him with a battery and two probes, that brought him back to life. Yet you, he requests you call him Stephen. I don't get it?"
"Mr Charles, in case you didn't realize it, you married someone special." Sarah demurely answered with a sly grin on her face. She stood on both toes and kissed her husband as he opened the door at the bottom of the stairs.
"Of that I am well aware of Mrs Charles."
"Yelp. Yelp." Asta added his stamp of approval regarding Mrs Charles.
"And you'd better treat me right Mr Charles. Or I'll hurt you. Big Mike is going to teach me to box you know."
"Your dad taught you well enough. My arm still has bruises on it!"
"Mr Charles. You need to toughen up. Once Big Mike is through with me, maybe we can spar? You can teach me some new tricks."
"Like you taught me last night?" Chuck asked with a devilish grin.
"Mr Charles. I have no idea what you're talking about." Sarah said as she shrugged her shoulders to emphasize her apparent forgetfulness. Sarah then looked at her ally, "Daddy is so silly sometimes, isn't he Asta?"
"Yelp. Yelp." Asta responded, then Asta's dropped to his belly and put his paws over his own eyes, in his doggy version of shrugging his shoulders causing both Chuck and Sarah to laugh out loud.
XXXXXXXXXX Gathering Evidence, 8/15/1930, 9 AM
Within minutes, Chuck, Sarah, and Asta approached the crowd gathered around Noble's dead body in Central Park.
Devon greeted them. "Glad you made it Chuckie, or should I say Mr and Mrs Charles."
"Yelp. Yelp."
"And Asta of course." Devon quickly added in.
Sarah noticed Devon looked more beat up than Orion, "Devon, what happened to your face? And both your hands are bandaged?"
"Cool isn't it? We had a great shakedown at Big Mike's after you left. One of the best fights we've had in a long time. I don't think there's a man worth his salt in the downtown area who doesn't have bloody knuckles this morning."
Chuck looked at his own pristine looking knuckles. "Hey. That's not fair."
"Except for you of course Chuckie. You were getting lucky with your beautiful bride. You have an excuse." Ellie Bartowski added in as she showed up from behind.
Sarah's face lite up when she saw Ellie. "Ellie, am I ever glad to see you. We ran out in such a hurry, I forgot to brush my hair. Can I borrow your brush?"
"Sure Sarah. It's so nice to have you around. It's like having a sister. I've never had any family." Ellie smiled a smile so bright that it could light up a building.
Sarah took the brush and looked disapprovingly at Chuck, "Mr Charles, your hair looks worse than mine. Let me." Sarah started brushing Chuck's hair while making way too much body contact, causing Chuck to blush.
Ellie laughed at the newlyweds, "Sarah. Chuckie never lets anyone touch his hair. You are full of surprises Sarah Charles."
"Why thank you Ellie. I do my best. I hope my surprises are always this much fun." Sarah smiled at Ellie, in a knowing manner, almost like her words had a double meaning.
"Sarah. Are you and Chuck going to the Governor's Ball this evening?" Ellie asked in a somewhat envious voice.
"We are." Sarah answered, while studying Ellie.
"I wish we could go." Ellie said with a faraway look in her eyes, as if in some other universe Devon and her were married and had the kind of lives that netted them invitations to dances and such things.
"Ellie, I have an idea. Why don't you go to the ball tonight as Chuck's guest, and I'll take Devon as my guest. We both were invited after all." Sarah replied in a most convincing manner, as if she was proud of herself.
"Could we do that?" Ellie flashed a smile like a kid at Christmas opening her biggest present.
"I don't see why not." Sarah replied while both her and Ellie turned toward Chuck and Devon,
who both shrugged their shoulders and nodded, as if they really had a say in the matter.
The conversation was broken up by a grunting Commissioner Casey, "Enough chit chat. We have a case to solve Charles. This proves woman don't belong in police work. What is this world coming to?"
"I don't know Sir." Devon answered.
"Woodcomb, keep the civilians away from my crime scene." Casey grunted out.
"Yes sir." Devon responded.
Chuck moved toward the body, with Asta by his side on his leash.
Casey shook his head disapprovingly at Asta's inclusion with Chuck, but realized he had little control over Charles Charles.
Sarah watched Casey, then ran to catch up to Chuck, "Hey. Wait for me."
"You can't go in there Mrs Charles," one of the other policemen put his arm out to stop her.
"She's with me." Chuck called out.
The officer looked at Casey, who had a most disagreeable scowl on his face, but Casey grunted out something that almost sounded like 'It's OK', then he shrugged his shoulders and made some gesture with his arms like 'Let her through'.
Sarah slowly walked by Casey, then she stopped. "Casey, I see you were at Big Mike's last night too. I'm surprised to see anyone was tough enough to get a shot to your face. I think you're going to have a black eye." Sarah reached up to touch Casey's injured face to get a better look at the damage.
Casey swatted Sarah's hand away, and angrily answered, "Mind you own beeswax Missie. But unlike the rest of these little girls, I didn't need to bandage my hands, bloody knuckles heal better in the fresh air." Casey displayed his raw, red knuckles to Sarah, as if they were a badge of honor.
"OK. Now I feel better. You obviously dished out far more than you took." Sarah laughingly said as she lingered by Casey.
"Get going and catch up with Charles, or I will ban you from all crime scenes in this city forever." Casey grunted out again, his fondness for Mrs Charles in his own jail a few days prior had worn thin in New York City, where she was totally annoying Casey, almost like she was paying him back for his teasing her during her time in his jail a few short days earlier.
"Yes Sir." Sarah said as she mocked saluted Casey while she quickly ran away from Casey to Chuck who was already examining the body.
Chuck turned toward Sarah who showed up behind him while he was examining Noble's body, "Sarah. Take a look."
"I see Noble has bloody knuckles and a bruised face. It looks like he put up quite a fight. Then once the killer beat Noble up, he shot him, several times at close range." Sarah deduced.
Asta broke free from the leash and jumped into the car, where the driver side door was still open. The body was only a few feet from the car door.
"Ruff. Ruff." Asta began to bark and scratch at the passenger car seat.
Chuck peered in to take a look at what caught Asta's keen sense of smell on the car seat. "Good boy Asta. I'm not so sure Noble put up a fight at all Sarah. Look inside the car at what Asta found."
"I see what you mean Chuck. A bullet hole through the passenger seat. So maybe Noble was shot while he was still in his car."
"Then he probably opened the door, to fight back." Chuck finished Sarah's thoughts.
"And the killer finished him off with several more shots. Not exactly a marksman." It was Sarah's turn to finish Chuck's thoughts.
Chuck smiled and teasingly replied, "Not everyone is a National Champion shooter Mrs Charles."
Sarah fake blushed, "Stop it Mr Charles. You're embarrassing me."
Casey had moved in to listen to the investigation, he'd had enough, "Would you two stop it? Did you learn anything?"
Chuck turned to Casey and asked, "Commissioner Casey. Was Noble in the bar fight last night?"
Casey quickly replied, "Sure was. But he was knocked cold by someone. Whoever hit him knew what he was doing."
Sarah followed up, "Did you see who Casey?"
Casey shook his head, "No. I was too busy fending for myself."
"I saw it all." Ellie Bartowski broke in as she too managed to wiggle her way into the action. "Noble and Big Mike were having heated words right before the fight broke out. Once the fighting started, Noble sucker punched Big Mike. Then, Big Mike turned to face him and Noble gave Mike another two shots. That was all she wrote, as Mikey gave him the old one two, and Noble was out like a light."
Chuck looked in deep thought answering, "I see."
Sarah, who was in complete sync with Chuck, asked Ellie "Where's Big Mike now?"
Chuck continued, "That's a good question Sarah."
Casey continued with a question for Chuck, "Is he a suspect Charles?"
Chuck continued, "I'm not sure yet."
"That's ridiculous. If Big Mike wanted to kill Noble, he wouldn't have shot him. He could have beaten him to death with one hand tied behind his back." Ellie chimed in.
Chuck nodded to Ellie's words, "Very true Ellie. This puzzle still has a few pieces missing. Casey. Mrs Charles and I will meet you back at the station. I assume you have a few witnesses rounded up."
"Yeah. But first we need to stop and eat. I'm famished." Sarah said as she grabbed Chuck's arm and gave it a hug.
"Whatever. Sounds like a plan Charles. But if you don't give me a good reason not to, I'm putting out an APB on Big Mike. I want to bring him in for questioning." Casey said, trying to turn his back on Sarah while talking to Chuck.
"Grrr." Asta began growling at Casey and pulling on his pant leg.
"That's probably a good idea Commissioner. Tell your men to ask nicely. Something has the Big Fellow rattled, that's for sure." Chuck replied to Casey while ignoring Asta.
"Asta. Stop it. The Commissioner just acts mean. He's really our friend." Sarah scolded Asta.
Asta obediently let loose of Casey's pant leg, and started pulling on his leash while barking. "Ruff. Ruff. Ruff."
"Grrr." Casey growled back at Asta.
"What's wrong boy?" Chuck asked, then smartly let go of the leash.
"Ruff. Ruff. Ruff..." Asta took off running and barking up a small hill in a wooded area in the park.
Casey, Chuck and Sarah caught up and found what caught Asta's attention. Concealed in the woods was a well worn hiding spot.
"Perfect view of the crime scene." Chuck observed.
"Ruff. Ruff." Asta busily smelled at the ground.
"Cigarettes." Sarah pointed out.
Chuck knelt down. "Fresh. I'd say from this morning. About a half dozen of them."
Chuck handed one to Casey. "Fingerprints might tell us who was here."
Casey examined the evidence, "Hgggppphhh. I don't need fingerprints. The only guy I know who chain smokes Pall Mall's is named Colt."
"What was Colt doing here?" Sarah asked.
"Probably waiting for Noble, before he went down the hill to shoot him." Casey deduced. "Looks like we found our killer. Put out an APB on Mr Colt."
"How about Big Mike?" Sarah asked.
"For now, he's off the hook. But if you see him, tell him I want to talk to him down at the station." Casey replied.
XXXXXXXXXX Romancing the Malted, 8/15/1930, 11 AM
Chuck, Sarah and Asta walked from the park to the police station, a few blocks away. As they neared the station, Chuck suddenly stopped, and pulled Sarah in a new direction. "Licorice. If you are going to see Orion later today, you need licorice. I know the perfect place. Plus. They have great malted milks."
"Oh my goodness. I totally forgot. Stephen would never have forgiven me." Sarah put her hand to her mouth.
"The best Soda Shoppe in New York City is right in our neighborhood Mrs Charles." Chuck pointed the place out as they neared the front door.
"I can hardly wait. I'm famished." Sarah said.
Chuck ordered as they walked up to the counter. "We'll take a large chocolate malted, with whipped cream and cherries on the top. Two straws."
"How romantic. You're so lucky to have a husband like him." The young girl at the counter was blue with envy thinking about sharing such a scene with her boyfriend. "Anything else?"
"Also, a dime bag of licorice." Chuck added in.
As Chuck and Sarah sat at a table at the window of the small shop, Chuck noticed Sarah's mood had soured, "What's the matter Sarah? You look sad."
"Yesterday. I had DeSmet serve Grandpa George with an injunction, preventing me from being removed from the Burton Board and giving me access to all my money again. I was thinking about that."
"Anything else?" Chuck said as he watched Sarah devour the large malted milk, nearly all by herself.
"Chuck. Please don't take this the wrong way. But, I think all this death is starting to get to me. Not long ago, I was dancing with daddy at the country club, without a care in the world. Now daddy's dead, Cole and Shaw too. Amy's behind bars and Bryce is in a mental institution. I met the man of my dreams, my soul mate, we eloped. Now here we are, embroiled in two more murder cases. Plus, I was mugged, my wedding ring stolen, and I could have been killed. The whole thing is overwhelming."
Chuck stood up, walked over to Sarah, and put his arm around her in a most concerned manner, "I thought you were mighty cavalier about the mugging and your ring. It'll be OK. Being in the city takes a little time to adjust. Are you regretting marrying me or getting involved in the detective life here?"
Sarah turned toward Chuck, but her head on his shoulder and smiled at him through the tears forming in her eyes, "No. Not at all. I love it here, and I know in my heart I was destined to be with you. I would be as happy as a librarian in Poughkeepsie if it meant being with you. I love you Chuck. Maybe the thought of dancing at the Governor's Ball tonight reminded me of daddy. Or maybe I'm a hormone laden woman who needs to cry once in a while, I don't know." Sarah shrugged her shoulders while she spoke.
Chuck nodded and returned to his seat, "Dancing again, that will be hard. Plus, this party will remind you about the big fancy wedding you won't be getting. I'll bet you dreamed of that kind of wedding day your whole life. Even with your family's flaws, you miss them, don't you?"
"Exactly. You read my mind. How can you keep doing that.? They are the only family I have left. I wish all this fighting with Grandpa over money would go away. Chuck. You're amazing. I love you so much." Sarah leaned over the now empty malted milk and kissed Chuck.
"I AM a trained detective after all Mrs Charles. Some even think I'm pretty good at it. It'll all work out. Trust me. Are you ready to go to the police station Mrs Charles?" Chuck gave Sarah a warm smile as he studied his wife's face.
"Soon. How about splitting one more malt with me before we go?" Sarah asked as she was now using her spoon to take the last drops out of the first one.
Chuck made a discerning face, "Is everything OK? You're not acting like yourself?"
Sarah nodded, "I'm fine. I think it might be all the night time activity catching up with me. I have to recharge my batteries to keep up with you."
Chuck stood up to go get another malt, "It's great isn't it?"
"Being married is the best thing ever Mr Charles." Sarah replied with a look of complete satisfaction.
XXXXXXXXXX Police Station Business, 8/15/1930, noon
A few minutes later, Asta, Chuck and Sarah arrived at the police station.
"Where is the Commissioner?" Chuck asked the Sargent at the front desk.
The Sargent at the front desk replied, "He's in the lab overseeing the dusting of the murder weapon and cigarettes for fingerprints. He said for you to come right in."
Casey looked up from studying some paperwork as Chuck and Sarah entered, "Charles. My man says no finger prints on the gun, it was wiped clean."
The lab man interrupted, "But on the six cigarettes, I got some good prints. I'll test them further, but I recognize the print, I should, I practically see it every month. This print belongs to Mr Colt."
"So Colt was there. Interesting." Chuck put his hand to his chin as he spoke.
The Sergeant at the front desk interrupted as he came into the room, "Commissioner. They're ready for you in the interrogation room."
"Thanks. Come on you two. You may as well join me." Casey was up and already nearly out the door.
The first person to be interrogated was Attorney Jim Rye. Rye's face was badly bruised, although his knuckles were in pretty good shape. He looked near opposite of Casey, whose face wasn't too badly damaged, but his knuckles were raw.
"I see you were in Big Mike's last night Jim." Sarah observed. "Looks like you were on the receiving end of a few too many punches."
"I'm a lover not a fighter Mrs Charles." Rye responded.
Sarah laughed, as the image of the portly man as a lover did not quite add up.
"Back to police business Rye. Why did my men bring you in?" Casey asked.
"I volunteered." Rye replied. " I was here on a different matter. I heard you think Colt may have killed Noble. I heard the two of them having a private conversation at Big Mike's last night. They were talking about money, that much I heard. I tried to get closer. But Colt saw me and pushed me away. I thought you needed to know."
The Sargent stepping in again, "Mrs Charles. You have a phone call in the lobby. A Mr DeSmet."
"Excuse me. I need to take this call boys." Sarah demurely smiled at Chuck as she strutted out of the interrogation room like a Hollywood movie star.
The three men in the room all followed Sarah's irresistible walk out of the room. As Sarah got to the door she turned around, causing the three men's head to hit into each other as they tried to look casual. "Something wrong boys?"
The three men shrugged their shoulders, "No. Nah. Um." All three men fumbled for words.
Once Sarah left the room, Jim Rye observed, "Wow Charles. You sure know how to pick em. What a dame!"
"Grrr. Let's get back to work." Casey grunted out before Chuck could respond.
"How about Graham's will? Are there any issues?" Chuck asked.
"Clear and clean Charles. Already all paid off. Half of the money to the wife, half to the daughter. And we're not talking about small change. Both woman are loaded." Rye answered.
"Was the will changed recently?" Chuck asked.
"No. Graham's will hasn't been touched, since Hannah was born." Rye responded.
"Anything else?" Casey asked.
"No. Not for now." Chuck responded.
As Rye left, Sarah returned, passing by each other, like cars on the street. Rye turned and again followed Sarah's walk, his stare causing him to lose his way and crash into the door well.
Rye's antics caused Casey to grunt, and Chuck to shrug his shoulders and observe, "What can I say Casey?"
"What's that all about?" Sarah asked, oblivious to the effect she had on men.
Both men now shrugged their shoulders as Casey grumpily called out to his Sargent, "Next!"
Devon brought Lenny and Squiggy in. Devon found them loitering around Central Park, about the time of the murder.
"What do you two idiots have to say for yourselves?" Casey asked, as he got in both their faces.
"Copper. We were in the park minding our own business when your pigs hauled us in." Squiggy replied.
"Don't worry. I believe you." Casey said as he gave Squiggy a slight slap to the side of his face. "That is, if running numbers is your idea of minding your own business."
"We're not hurting anyone copper." Lenny said, as he stared at Chuck and Sarah, hoping they wouldn't or didn't tell Casey about their robbing Sarah.
"Plus. If we told you what we saw. We'd be dead men." Squiggy added in.
"Yeah. We're not snitches." Lenny continued.
"OK. So if I don't use your names. And if I promise to not charge you in the robbery of Mrs Charles here. Then, I expect you'll tell me what you know." Casey hovered over the two boys for maximum intimidation.
"You told?" Lenny asked Chuck.
Casey answered for Chuck, "They didn't have to. I know everything that goes on in my city. And, that ring is worth enough money, that you didn't commit petty theft, more like a major felony. I'll put you away for long enough, that the two of you will lose your virginity in a men's prison. To someone named Bubba. And, that isn't any fun. Now, what did you see?"
The two boys were near crying in fear now, and suddenly their tone was more respectful, "Colt's car was parked on the back side of the park, where the numbers deals go down, but hidden from plain sight. We saw him running from the front part of the park back to his car, a little after 5 AM."
"Is that it?" Casey asked.
"That's it." The two boys called out in unison.
"OK then, that wasn't so hard." Casey turned away, then turned back toward the two boys, "One more thing."
"What?" Squiggy called out.
"Put the word out. If anyone and I mean anyone, touches Mrs Charles again, they will have me to deal with. Are we clear? Now apologize to her." Casey said in a most scary voice.
Lenny responded quickly, "Clear as glass. You and about every big time hitter on the street has warned us. Mrs Charles is safer than the President on our streets. We're so sorry Mrs Charles. We're out of the mugging business, for good. If anyone bothers you, let us know, the Purple Fiends will break their face."
"That's OK fellows. Casey. The Purple Fiends gang has volunteered to work for me in the apartment building. We've settled our differences. But thanks for your help in reminding them of their obligations to our community. I think these boys will be fine." Sarah nodded toward the boys for emphasis.
"Get out of here." The two boys got up, only to get a pair of size fifteens square in the butt that sent them scampering as Casey grunted out, "Out. Run. Before I change my mind and break both your necks."
"Anyone else Sargent?" Casey called out. "Big Mike's back at the bar. Do you want him brought in?"
"Sarah and I will talk to him when we go home." Chuck volunteered.
Casey was fine with that. Big Mike had saved his life more than once over the years, Casey really did not want the job of interrogating him. Plus, Casey felt that Big Mike was innocent. "OK. Let me know if you uncover anything."
"Devon!" Casey called out.
Devon answered, "Yes Sir."
"Put out the order, all stations, arrest Mr Colt for the murder of Detective Noble."
"Yes sir." Devon responded.
"We'll see you tonight at the Governor's Ball Casey." Chuck called out as he and Sarah left the room.
Casey forgot until now about the ball, and could only respond with a "Grrr."
XXXXXXXXXX Blackmail and Intrigue, 8/15/1930, 4 PM
The phone rang at the stately mansion.
A statuesque woman answered the phone, "Jane Bentley Graham. How can I help you?"
"I know who killed your husband and Detective Noble." The unidentified caller had a deep, husky voice.
Jane replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't get your panties in a bunch. I know you do. You either get me ten thousand dollars and bring it to the Governor's Ball tonight, or I'm going to the cops. Meet me in the railway yard down the hill from the Orchestra Hall. I'll disable the lights to give you a cover to slip out. That's your cue to leave."
"Let's say I do. What's to prevent you from blackmailing me again?" Jane was not denying the issue any longer.
The deep voice replied in a most honest manner, "Nothing. But, I never did like that bastard husband of yours. Give me the money, and I'll make this all go away. I'll frame someone else for the two murders. I have a stake in this too."
"How do I know you will do that?" Jane asked, although the man did not identify himself, she had a pretty good idea who it was.
"I'm not talking to the cops, am I? Get me my money. This won't be the first time I've fixed something for your family. That pervert husband of yours got himself in more trouble than I do." the voice replied.
Jane paused, then answered, "Hmmm. OK I guess. Tonight. I'll have the money."
The blackmailer hung up.
Jane Bentley Graham was stunned by the call she just received. She held onto the phone and took a deep breathe to compose herself. "What should I do next?" She whispered to herself.
XXXXXXXXXX The Charles's vs Big Mike, 4:30 PM
Chuck, Sarah and Asta walked into Big Mike's.
"The Charles. My favorite customers. What can I get you?" Big Mike was in a great mood, not at all like someone who had committed a murder earlier in the day.
"How about a mug of your finest for me. How about you my dear? Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"No alcohol for me Sweetie. Just water. But I'm famished. Maybe I'll have a double cheeseburger?"
"Medium rare, extra pickles!" Chuck added in.
"How did you know that? You amaze me Mr Charles."
"As I said earlier, I am a trained detective Mrs Charles."
"Coming right up." Big Mike yelled back to the kitchen. "Fernando. One double cheeseburger. Medium rare. Extra pickles."
"Maybe make that two." Sarah Charles added in.
"Big Mike gave Sarah a strange look, then he looked at Chuck for confirmation. Usually Sarah ate like a bird.
Chuck shrugged his shoulders.
Big Mike called out, "Make that two cheeseburgers Fernando."
Sarah ignored the two men's gestures about her eating habits and asked, "Big Mike, is Stephen around?"
"She calls him Stephen? Does she know how much he hates that?" Big Mike asked Chuck.
"Orion insisted. Go figure." Chuck said as he shrugged his shoulders.
Sarah changed the subject, "Big Mike. You don't have a scratch on you. Your face or your hands. I thought you were in the fight last night. All these other men are pretty beat up."
Big Mike smiled proudly at Sarah, "I'm a professional Sarah. Takes a pretty mean punch to bruise my face. And I still soak these thunderous fists in salt brine, not going to get bloodied up over a few punches to some skinny sissy cop with a few muscles."
"So you did punch Noble last night?" Sarah asked.
"I did?" Big Mike responded.
"Why?" Chuck asked.
"I told Noble that if Ellie or any woman is harassed by the police force again like Graham did to Ellie, that I was going to take matters into my own hands." Big Mike was no longer smiling.
"What was Noble's response?" Chuck asked.
"The fight broke out while we were talking. I was distracted by the fight, so Noble sucker punched me a few times, although they were more like sucker taps, not punches. The pansy. Then I gave him the old one two, and Noble sat out the rest of the fight, flat on his back."
Chuck continued the questions, "Where did you go this morning. You were gone about the time of the murder?"
"I went for a walk. What is this, an interrogation?" Big Mike got defensive all of a sudden.
Chuck calmly replied, "Settle down Mike. This is why I asked Casey not to bring you in. I told him I'd talk to you here. Colt is already the prime suspect. But I'm just doing my job. Can I continue?"
Chuck's words worked, Big Mike calmly said, "Sure Chuckie. I understand."
Chuck asked, "Where to? Did anyone see you?"
Mike replied, "At 4 AM? Not many people on the streets, at least who'll admit seeing you. No, I went toward downtown, aimlessly. But I did stop for coffee. Mary's Place. A little before 5 AM."
Sarah observed, "That's a long way from Central Park?"
"Not by cab." Chuck added in. Chuck quickly changed the subject, and got personal, something that bothered him for a long time came out,"Why now Big Mike?"
"Huh?" Big Mike answered, not knowing what Chuck meant.
"Why didn't you defend Ellie sooner. I was just a kid when it started, but you, you could have done something. Why?" Chuck lost his usual composure.
Tears welled up in Big Mike's eyes, "I can't say Chuckie. I can't. I had my reasons. Graham was a nasty bastard, and very powerful."
Big Mike's phone rang before Chuck could say anything else. Big Mike walked over to the phone, a few feet away from Chuck and Sarah. He answered, "Big Mike here. How can I help you?"
The voice on the other end spoke, causing a look of surprise and concern on Big Mike's face.
Big Mike spoke after listening for a few seconds. "What's wrong? You sound like you've been crying."
Chuck and Sarah watched Mike's reaction to the caller. Mike saw the Charles staring at him, and turned his back so they couldn't see or hear him.
"Anything." Mike replied in a hushed manner after listening for a little while, such that Chuck and Sarah could not hear him.
A little time elapsed with Mike listening, then Mike wrapped up the conversation with, "I'll be there. Goodbye."
"What was that all about Big Mike? You look worried." Chuck asked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Big Mike said while shaking his head no for emphasis. "Are the two of you going to the Governor's Ball tonight?"
Sarah smiled at Mike, "Big Mike. You surprise me. I didn't think you paid attention to such things."
Big Mike did not return the smile, his comment was only to change the subject, and he said the first thing that came to his mind, which in this case gave away a bit of the phone conversation he had, "Usually I don't. I heard about it from some customers. Sounds like fun. Excuse me, I'm going to go check on Fernando. That is if we're through with the questions?"
"We're through. Thanks Big Mike." Chuck answered as Big Mike disappeared into the kitchen.
Sarah changed the subject, "What are you going to do while I visit Orion Mr Charles?"
Chuck answered, "I have a side mission of my own that came up. I'll work on it upstairs, while you and Orion do God knows what. Be careful. Orion can be unstable. Can you give me a hint about what this is all about?"
Sarah shook her head no, "Stephen and I will be fine. I need his help on a science issue. I can't tell you what's it's about. I'll tell you all about it later."
Big Mike came out with the food a few minutes later. Sarah immediately dug in and devoured her lunch. While she ate, she asked Big Mike, "Is that chocolate cake I see on the counter?"
"It is." Big Mike answered.
"I'll take a piece of cake too." Sarah enthusiastically pointed to the biggest piece on the plate.
"Coming right up." Big Mike responded.
Chuck studied Sarah, "Cake too? First a malted, nearly two of them to be more exact. Then two cheeseburgers. Now cake. You usually eat like a bird. Are you sure everything's OK?"
"I'm fine Mr Charles. Perfect. But I do need to finish eating and go see Stephen. Within a few minutes, Sarah inhaled her lunch and dessert, and rushed off to Orion's Lab.
"See you later Mr Charles." Sarah said as she got up and strolled away.
"Good luck in there." Chuck called out as he watched Sarah walk away. She knocked three times on the lab door, then opened the door and disappeared.
Big Mike asked Chuck, "Is she going to be OK alone with Orion? Remember when Mrs Cleaver went to see him to get her hair dyed blond. She lost all her hair instead. I hear tell she's still bald. What does Sarah want in there?"
Chuck could only shrug his shoulders and softly replied, "If I only knew. If I only knew."
XXXXXXXXXX
Did that work for any of you?
Has anyone figured out what's up with Big Mike?
How about Sarah? What is her visit to Stephen all about?
Does everyone know whodunit? Anyone?