Chapter 17

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There were a few things about this town that Gary was very curious about. He wondered if Samantha Larabee was telling the truth in what she said about the Druid Order commiting treason more than 70 years ago. He wondered why Patrick got a little nervous when Gary asked if he was from Brooklyn. He wondered what might have happenned with little Nadia's cat that the cat might have to forgive Angel for. And Gary was curious as to what exactly Michael was doing with his little "Bible Study" meetings. But, he didn't know if any of these things was connected to the murder of Angel Flint, and that was the sole reason he'd been asked to come to Sanctuary Virginia. Right now Gary considered William Lambert a suspect. Given how much he seemed to grieve for Angel, but avoided Angel's mother. This did after all seem to be a crime of passion, so Gary called his friend Miguel Sanchez and asked him to research William Lambert. Later that afternoon Miguel called back with what he'd found.

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Miguel: William Lambert, 33 years old, inherited his father's businesses after his father suffered a stroke three years ago.

Gary: What kind of business?

Miguel: Construction, restaurants, all seemingly legitimate. Lambert was arrested once at 19, for smuggling.

Gary: Smuggling what, drugs, diamonds?

Miguel: Truffles.

Gary: Truffles? Those plants they put in expensive soups?

Miguel: Yes. Under the Edangered Species Act it is illegal to remove an endangered animal or plant from its country of origin. Like taking truffles from France. William claimed he didn't know it was illegal.

Gary: Or he didn't realize that thee were people who's job it was to enforce said law.

Miguel: Anyway he paid a fine and hasn't been arrested since. He married Jane Foster seven years ago, two children, they moved to Sanctuary last year. Lambert began building those houses, then just stopped. Rumor was that funding fell through. But, since these homes are nowhere near any school or playground, that fit all of the parole requirements for a very specific class of criminals.

Gary: Child molestors.

Miguel: Exactly, so he sold it to them for whatever he could get, which was a bit of a loss. But noone sued Lambert for this.

Gary: Why would anyone sue him for this?

Miguel: Usually if funding on a construction project falls through the businessman is unable to pay the construction crew what he promised. Usually they sue to get back some of their loss, no record of any such lawsuits.

Gary: Maybe they were settled out of court. Any record of a connection between Lambert and Angel?

Miguel: Yes, she started e-mailing him when she turned 18. I mean she sent him the first e-mail on her 18th birthday. He e-mailed back, but we don't yet know what they said. Before that, no record of any communication between these two.

Gary: If he was having an affair with her when she was underage he was evidently very careful.

Miguel: Lambert was in New York on business, arrived back Wednesday night. He could have driven back in time to murder Angel, but probably not without speeding. No record of him recieving a speeding ticket that night.

Gary: Late at night, there might not have been too many traffic cops on duty. This was a crime of passion, Lambert was legitimately grieving her, but avoided Angel's mother at all costs. And he was the only other person who knew that his wife used to be a satanist.

Miguel: So he framed his wife, yet brought her to the funeral of his mistress?

Gary: That is unusual, perhaps I should question mr Lambert about this.

Miguel: Just be careful, remember he can ask for a lawyer at any time.

Gary: If he does, I'll stop all questioning. At the very least I can gage his reaction when I ask him for a DNA test.