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Friday 19th May 18:49
"So this SKE could be a lead?" Rod Brown asked gulping down a can of coke as he sat in a chair by Steve's desk.
"Well I'll be looking into it further, that's for sure" Steve responded "I called Corrine and she confirmed that Max had seriously considered selling his shares and that she'll probably go through with it, but understandably she has other things on her mind right now. You didn't turn up much with the beautiful people?"
"They're all actors!" Rod sounded strangely surprised. Steve raised his eyebrows "What I mean is, if any of them have something to cover up, they'd be well equipped to do so. But no, I didn't find myself a prime suspect amongst that lot. Same old story you got. Directors said he was fabulous, had vision, took instruction without question. 'A master' I think one called him. His leading ladies say he was the perfect gent, no signs of on set hanky panky, didn't eat garlic before a love scene, a devoted husband as far as they knew. Other co-stars said he was patient with incompetent techies or extras. Yeah and all that 'never forgot his roots' baloney, took time to talk to the up-and-comings, signed autographs for hours on end. I even talked to the writer of 'Ed Baxter', where he got his break. He wasn't signed for the last series you know, shot to fame in that 'Hearts of the Innocent' flick, nobody thought he'd go back to TV"
"But he did" Steve nodded.
"Yeah" Brown continued, viewing Steve suspiciously.
"One of his partners mentioned that" Steve explained.
"You know the sucker went back for the same measly salary, didn't want to let the cast and crew down, something about 'closure' for the character and fans."
"Mr Nice Guy or what?" Steve complained.
"Yeah, it sure is a pain in the butt. You think it could be a straight up robbery?" his voice trailed up the end.
They both shook their heads. "Nah" they answered in unison.
Cheryl strode through the door and Steve's eyes followed her as she swiftly crossed to her desk and sat down.
"I'll leave you with whatever business you've got to finish up here" Brown sneered good naturedly nodding towards Cheryl. "I'm off to move in societies higher echelons" he sounded bored already "do-gooders from his charity work. Maybe find myself an incredibly rich widow." Steve chuckled "what's so funny?" Rod growled back "about as much chance as that as me turning up a lead."
"I'll keep digging at SKE, then get back to the family, interview the kids. Have fun" Steve slouched back in his chair.
"What about other relatives?" Rod asked as he pulled on his jacket.
"Brother could be worth a look, mother is terminally ill, probably not up to an interview."
"And either is Luis by the sounds of things" Mark interjected as he entered the room. His statement brought Rod to a halt in the doorway. Mark paused but the puzzled looks of the others forced him to continue. "Just thought I'd stop by and keep you in the picture. Finding his father in that state was highly traumatic for the boy. Corrine called me after we left earlier, asked if I'd go over tomorrow and have a little chat with him."
"You mean the brats don't have their own shrinks and personal trainers?" Rod mocked.
Mark shook his head "According to Corrine, Luis is a very gentle, quiet boy, a bit like his father. It's hit him hard and she just wants somebody to talk to him. I told her I'm not an expert but she's become kind of friendly since Max's death".
"Friendly huh?" Brown chuckled. "That can only be helpful doc, if the family trust you, they may have information they're keeping from us. Seeing you on our side could promote our image". Brown grinned and Mark cringed realising he'd just been appointed chief spy on the case.
"You almost done for the day?" Mark asked Steve once Brown had made his exit.
Steve rolled his eyes "is that why you dropped by, checking up on me?"
Mark smiled guiltily but still attempted to cover himself, "I wanted to let you know about visiting Luis", Steve held up his cell phone. Resigned to defeat Mark admitted, "OK, I could have called but Amanda said you weren't sure if you'd be home for dinner and I just wanted to make sure you weren't planning anything silly." Steve raised his eyebrows quizzically. "Like working late" Mark suggested, "I think you're forgetting that you're still supposed to be easing back into things".
Steve sighed and looked across to Cheryl, "Don't worry dad, if I hang around here too long Cheryl sends me packing."
"She takes good care of you huh?" Mark smiled seeing the way his son looked at the young woman.
Steve blushed, "yeah, she does. And hopefully she'll be finished up here soon too."
"Oh, so what you're saying is don't wait up?" Mark grinned cheekily.
"What I'm saying is let's set an extra place for dinner" Steve smiled back.
"Oh" Mark stifled a laugh "OK, see you both soon" Mark winked at his son and headed for the door.
Friday 19th May 20:05
Amanda placed her delicate hands on Steve's shoulders, attempting to crank his blades back with her thumbs as he sat slouched over the kitchen table. "Posture" she scolded and he replied with a faint grin, returning his gaze to the open file on the table. The front door opened and Jesse followed Mark into the kitchen, both of then clutching bags of take away food.
"They don't look like pizza boxes to me," Steve observed dryly.
"Great detective skills" Cheryl jibed.
Jesse laughed, "No they aren't, but you won't be disappointed." Chirping optimistically he explained, "Change of plan, there was an accident on Lawrence, we got diverted down Fulson, and you know what that means."
"Wok 'n' Roll" Amanda and Steve replied in unison as Mark began dishing up the rice.
"Hey, Cheryl" Jesse nodded towards Steve who continued to scan the documents in front of him "tell him it's rude to read at the table, he doesn't listen to me."
Mark laughed passing a plate to Steve "he's right son" he smiled reassuringly, "just because the first couple of leads drew a blank doesn't mean disaster. After all, Simmons has only been dead a day".
Steve shook his head wearily "Dad" he began in dejected tones "We picked up a drug addict, rap sheet for robbery and firearm charges as long as your arm. He was less than three blocks from the Simmons' place with blood on his shirt. It turns out he'd been administering first aid to a kid in the neighbourhood who'd been mauled by a dog!" He closed the folder and placed it on the counter behind.
Cheryl and Jesse exchanged raised eyebrows. "Well it shows you can't always judge somebody on their past record" Mark offered as the positive side to the scenario. Now that everybody was seated and served with rice, Amanda and Jesse began removing the lids from the remaining cartons of food.
Steve continued as he helped himself to a spoonful of stir fried vegetables; "So our first suspect turns out to be a Good Samaritan within an hour of the crime". He paused and drew a deep breath "Then, the door to door gives us a guy dressed head to toe in black, speeding away from West Marine in our time frame. Anybody want to take a guess?" Everybody was too preoccupied with loading their plates, so when nobody obliged he answered himself, "he was a Priest of all things, half way through wedding arrangements with the family next door when a parishioner in Lawson Villas had a coronary and he took off to read the last rites!"
"Mrs James" Amanda was met by four questioning looks as she bit the end off a spring roll. "They brought her down to me, said the priest had just made it in time".
"Oh well that puts me at ease" Steve added sarcastically and Cheryl slapped him playfully on the thigh. "Two good leads in two hours and both of them dead ends."
"And Corrine really didn't give you anything to go on?" Amanda asked pessimistically.
"He was Mother Teresa of California" Steve quipped dejectedly. "She gave me nothing I couldn't have learnt from subscribing to his fanclub. Max Simmons was a born in a backwater town up state, poor parents, no prospects, rebel for a brother". He paused to help himself to some chicken. "He sang in the church choir, helped old ladies across the road." Mark frowned scornfully at Steve's apparent distrust of the picture painted of Simmons. He decided to let it go as Steve was obviously frustrated by the lack of leads in the high profile case. While he didn't believe his son needed to prove his skills as a detective to anyone, he understood that Steve wanted to do well after being stuck behind a desk for so log. "Max dreamt of being an actor since high-school" Steve elaborated, "moved south at 18, brought his hometown sweetheart with him, Corrine. His was the usual tale of woe; years of walk on parts and pilots that went nowhere. He and Corrine worked numerous jobs to pursue to his dream"
"Her dream too" Jesse butted in, the corners of his mouth smeared with sauce. The others waited for him to explain "she made it first" he obliged with an air of authority "played Selma de Meine in "A Scream In The Silence", it's a cult classic" he assured them. "She didn't have what you'd call substantial talent, but that scream, wow, I never heard a scream like it. But she was a one hit wonder, she took a part in a terrible daytime soap playing a spoilt little rich girl and the part didn't call for screaming which, sadly, was about all she could do. She quit when their first kid"
"Alexandria" Steve interjected
"Yeah, when she was born. It was after that when Max really came onto the scene".
"Want information? Subscribe to the fanclub or ask Jess" Steve corrected himself.
"It's not like that" Jesse replied defensively "I followed Corrine's career but not his, not really my taste if you get my drift. Do you think you could get me her autograph? Or maybe I could come with you when you go back to the house?" he added excitedly.
Steve ignored the last statement and as they continued to eat he peppered the conversation with more facts about Max. "Eventually he got his break, through hard work as opposed to skill in the beginning, so the industry whispers go. He was described as 'Unconventionally handsome' whatever that means, but still he was cast as the male bait in a prime time serial, once a week playing Ed Baxter in what was originally titled "The Ed Baxter Show".
"Later they changed it to 'The Max Simmons' show" Jesse informed them, proudly displaying his vast knowledge in the field of light entertainment.
Mark screwed up his face "don't you find it pretentious when stars do that, have their shows named after themselves?" he asked the others.
Steve disregarded his fathers question and carried on "what ever it was called, the premise of the show seemed a little shaky, kind of Bonanza meets Superman. But his acting skills improved and after a couple of mediocre films he hit the big time."
"Hearts of the Innocent" Mark smiled and Amanda made a faint cooing noise.
"Yeah I know" Steve began before he'd be forced to have it replayed by them at the table. "A Classic, deep moral issues addressed, love, romance, tear jerker, action, adventure, whatever. Point is he hit the big time, kind of handsome and certainly versatile, in high demand, huge grossing movies but with the integrity to work cheaply on worthwhile projects. Millionaire in a few years, happy marriage and two lovely kids" Steve galloped to the end of the statement.
"Maybe not so happily married" Jesse interrupted again "Corrine has been rumoured to 'wander' in the past should we say".
"I don't have any information on affairs," Steve sounded annoyed yet intrigued.
"You haven't been reading the right tabloids" Jesse replied "He was supposed to have a thing with a call girl too."
"Oh no" Amanda wagged her finger "They showed that little madam had been paid to make the claim by a sleazy magazine in need of sales. All proven to be false and I'm pretty sure he sued." Amanda added dismissively.
"Well true or not it's the best lead on the personal side" Steve raised his eyebrows.
"No smoke without fire" Cheryl pointed out.
Steve thought for a moment and shook his head "Beautiful souls don't sell tabloids" he murmured, then "forget it" as Amanda and Jesse looked up. "So he's brilliant at his job, never turned into a prima donna, and after ten years hugging the lime light he jacks in the career. Takes more time with the family and concentrates on his charity work. He's spokesman for countless causes; abused children, earthquake victims, the rights of the elderly"
"But nothing controversial?" Mark asked.
"Not a hint" Steve replied "noting to do with abortion or euthanasia, no racial or religious causes, nothing that could be considered political or inflammatory. He picked his corner well. Anyhow, that's Rod's department, he got the actors and the do-gooders. I got the family, which is always like running through quick sand, and 'business'. After he calmed the acting side down he and a couple of guys started their own 'small' production company."
"Small!" Amanda exclaimed, "SKE have some of the biggest shows going".
"Yeah but they started small, Simmons and two guys from his days of struggling to get by; Michael Kent and Craig Emerson. Didn't get much from them today either."
"How about physical evidence, stuff from the crime scene?" Jesse asked expectantly.
Steve collected his thoughts. "Let's see, Max Simmons was found by his 14 year old son when he returned from trumpet practice, shot dead in his office, safe open and empty except for the box of ammo. The weapon was found by the body; it was registered to Max and Corrine confirmed he always kept it in the safe along with a single box of ammunition. Ballistics confirmed that one shot was fired, and counting the rounds still in the clip that accounts for all of the ammunition. We don't hold out much hope of getting prints off the weapon itself. There was no sign of forced entry, and considering the place is like Fort Knox that's a tough one in itself. As for forensics, nothing so far; no other prints in the house, no tracks in the garden, no other blood types at the scene. Autopsy gave no alcohol, drugs or toxins. Nothing, nada, nix". He threw his hands in the air.
"Sure it wasn't a suicide?" Jesse enquired timidly.
Steve and Amanda chuckled in unison. "You want to start?" Steve invited Amanda as he took a mouthful of food.
She sighed and turned to her young colleague "Jesse, I've seen countless firearm suicides and I can't think of a single case where the shot wasn't aimed at either the temple" she mimicked a gun with two fingers and pointed to her own head, "the forehead" she again demonstrated, "or into an open mouth" she finished.
"Yeah, guess it's unlikely he'd aim for the heart" Jesse accepted.
"Also" Steve added, "The gun shot residue tests on Max's hands came back negative"
"Then it definitely wasn't a suicide" Mark deduced helping himself to more pork.
"Well…." Cheryl scrunched up her nose "I don't think for a moment that it was a suicide, but lack of residue isn't conclusive evidence that somebody didn't fire a weapon. There are circumstances, usually in open air, when a breeze can carry the particles away from the shooter leaving no trace on the hands or clothes."
Mark turned to his son "but as far as the department is concerned it's a robbery homicide investigation right?"
"Right" Steve agreed "and at the moment it's an investigation that's going nowhere fast." Steve sat back in his chair and rubbed his head.
"Hey, relax" Cheryl whispered, squeezing his knee under the table.
"Easy for you to say Miss Detective of The Year" he retorted without malice.
Cheryl beamed as she rose from the table and collected a handful of napkins from the counter. "Oh, I think somebody is jealous?" she giggled and Steve tried his best not to beam back.
"I take it you're still in the good books after the quick clear up on the Sanford case" Mark asked as Cheryl took her seat again.
"Oh yeah, and milking every moment of it" Steve butted in.
"So what's next?" Amanda asked sheepishly.
"Maybe they'll give her the Nobel Prize" Steve shrugged and Cheryl squeezed his knee again, harder this time and Steve winced.
"I meant on the Simmons case" Amanda clarified sternly.
"Oh, tomorrow I'm going back to interview the kids, they weren't up to talking today. Then I've got to get over to see the brother, but he's a few hours up the coast so I may not have time" he shook his head "the media are all over us already. Do you know how popular this guy was? They're ready to make him a saint on TV. And really" Steve asked incredulously, "what did he really do?"
"Fabulous Entertainer"
"Great Philanthropist"
"Loving Father, Husband, Son"
The replies came in quick succession and Steve nodded "and wouldn't my life be easier if he was the most hated guy in California?" Returning to his food Steve was glad when the conversation around the table gradually changed topics. With the three doctors in deep discussion Cheryl ran a soothing hand up Steve's arm,
"Hey" she whispered, "you know you can't let this get to you," she reminded him softly and he nodded in response. "You and Rod will figure this out, just be thorough and be patient."
"Oh, divulging the secrets of your success?" Steve mocked gently.
"Well, I'm busy enough without clearing up your cold cases too" she smirked.
Before Steve could reply his attention was drawn to the other end of the table where Jesse proceeded to replay the 'really gory bit' from "A Scream In The Silence" using his chopsticks. Strangely enough Steve found himself suddenly disinterested in the remainder of his dinner which was covered in blood red Cantonese sauce."