The Children's Corner
Chapter 43
Despite getting a full rundown of the case from Sully on Monday night, Kate carefully studies his notes. CSU took air samples around Myron's bed and found residue of an aerosolized form of fentanyl. It's illegal in the United States because it kills 15% of the people sprayed with it. Nonetheless, it's thought to be available through some drug dealers and on the dark web. Sully contacted Narcotics for any leads on the source and asked Ryan to nudge them a bit. Sully also interviewed the bodyguard. In addition, he noted that Kate passed on Alexis's information about Lazarus being named Myron Fink. However, he was unable to reach any family members.
Kate isn't sure she could have accomplished anymore over the weekend herself. But the Finks might have been out of town for the holiday. So she can try reaching them now. According to Sully's report, Myron's parents are deceased, but he has a brother and an aunt. Strangely, according to Lazarus' bodyguard, Brock Zeman, the aunt, not the brother, is Lazarus's emergency contact. She's listed as Rachel-Leah Goldstone. Kate can start with her.
Kate waves Rachel-Leah to a seat in the lounge. Despite the weather, the only part of Rachel-Leah's skin that shows is her face. And Kate is pretty sure the woman is wearing a wig. "Thank you for coming in, Ms. Goldstone. I really appreciate it."
"Well, I'm very concerned for Myron," Rachel-Leah explains. "He told me he'd received threatening letters, but he didn't tell me what was in them. I think he was trying to gloss over the situation a little. He said many celebrities receive threats."
"He was telling you the truth about that," Kate assures her. "They do. It keeps a lot of security companies in business. Sending threats by mail over the web is a federal crime, so the FBI investigates them. But it's a tremendous job. And as I understand it, Myron didn't get them involved."
"As I said, I think he was trying to gloss over them. And I believe he wanted his fans to regard him as invulnerable. Lazarus is Eleazar in Hebrew. It means 'God has helped.' Sometimes Myron acted the part of the favored son."
"How did he do that?" Kate probes.
"Both Myron and his older brother Michael are interested in music, or at least Michael was. I haven't seen him in years. From what my sister Malka, Myron, and Michael's mother, told me before she passed, the boys competed. Unfortunately, Myron claimed that Michael went over the line and stole bookings for their little bands from him. I don't know the truth of it, but Myron managed to convince his parents that Michael was guilty. That made life very difficult for Michael. He left New York and never returned, that I know of. I never heard from him. Neither did Malka. I don't know about my late brother-in-law, Yossi. Whenever there was any conflict in the house, he took to his books. He was a lawyer and received a lot of business from our community. But he preferred to keep his home a place of refuge. And Malka appreciated him as a good provider. So she kept the fights between the boys away from him as much as possible."
"Do you have any idea where Michael is now?" Kate inquires.
"None. He sent a representative for the reading of Yossi and Malka's will. I received some of Malka's jewelry, but everything else went to Myron. Michael's representative claimed that his client would put up a fight, but as far as I know, Michael never challenged the will."
"If it's not too intrusive, how did Malka and Yossi die?"
"I don't know. Our religion forbids autopsies. But Myron was never that observant. I saw a picture one fan posted of him eating a cheeseburger. Malka would never have mixed milk and meat. Yossi made sure they had a house with separate kitchens. And Myron followed the customs at home to please his parents. But other than ensuring his parents' bodies weren't defiled, I'm afraid he is very casual about adhering to our customs and traditions. It's shonda, a shame, to throw away that richness of his heritage."
"I respect that, Ms. Goldstone. Is there anyone you can think of who would want to hurt Myron for betraying his faith?"
Sighing, Rachel-Leah leans into Kate's space. "Detective Beckett, it's been a long time since we stoned anyone at the gates. No one wishes Myron any harm. We will pray for him. The congregation of our shul is praying for his safe return now."
After walking Rachel-Leah to the elevator, Kate fills in what she can on her murder board. Despite the aunt's protestations, she can't rule out an attack by a religious fanatic. But spraying Myron with fentanyl doesn't seem to fit with that theory.
She mentally ticks through the motives for murder. Love is probably out. According to Alexis, it would be a boyfriend, and social media doesn't even have a rumor of one. Unless the bodyguard? That's always possible, and he would be in the best position to get to Myron. She'll have to check him out further.
And then there's money. Myron inherited his parents' wealth, and his brother Michael was aced out. So following that line of reasoning would make Michael the number one suspect. Except that no one knows where he is. He could be halfway around the world. But it's worth finding out.
And covering up a crime? That could be why Myron may have been killed. But it would be his crime, not the killer's. If Malka and Yossi Fink were murdered, Myron was the beneficiary. And who would resent that? Michael again. Kate will question Brock Zeman. But if she's going to find Myron, dead or alive, chances are she'll have to find Michael.
Rick straightens his already straight tie as he waits for a sit down with Muriel Lisette, owner of Lissette Publishing. It's a small house but known for its quality. Muriel's assistant, Carlie Fornell, sounded doubtful about setting up an appointment for the pulpy Richard Castle, but Muriel accepted the meeting.
"Mr. Castle," Carlie calls from an office door, "Ms. Lissette will see you now."
As he takes the indicated seat, Muriel regards Rick over her half glasses. "I have to admit, Mr. Castle, I'm curious as to why you'd want to see me. You have a very longstanding relationship with Black Pawn and, as I understand it, a stake in the company as well."
"Right on both counts, Ms. Lisette. However, one of my works in progress is not Black Pawn material. Actually, I was hoping that it would pique your interest."
"May I assume that you're aware of the type of books we publish?"
"You may. At least two of them were on my daughter's assigned reading list for A.P. English. And I personally loved The Prodigal Rose. I don't think the review in the Ledger did it justice."
Muriel shrugs. "The reviewer was correct that the first chapter moved slowly."
"The better to savor," Rick replies. "But I'm a speed reader, so it wouldn't bother me in any case. And there's no point in dragging out my first chapter here. I'm writing a book that I hope is a few steps up the literary ladder from my usual fare. It involves some quirky characters, but their quirkiness makes a point rather than just serving to amuse. I was hoping you'd be willing to take a look at sample chapters."
"Mr. Castle, from the viewpoint of literary novels, you're a novice. No insult intended."
"None taken."
"That would normally put your chapters on the editorial slush pile," Muriel continues.
"But?" Rick prompts, hopefully.
"But I confess to having a crush on Derrick Storm. And I believe you have a gift for description, compact but effective. So, I will promise to read your chapters personally. Still, that is all I will promise."
Grinning, Rick pulls a thumb drive out of his jacket pocket and offers it to Muriel. "Good enough."