Chapter 9

Richard Gilmore stood as the latest maid escorted in the gentleman he had been waiting for. "Please tell Mrs. Gilmore that our guest has arrived," he asked as he extended a hand to the younger man, "thank you for coming so quickly."

"I'm afraid I'm not sure why I'm here. I had assumed that you wanted me to handle an investigation," he answered as he took the seat that Richard indicated as the maid reappeared in the doorway. "Mrs. Gilmore said to tell you she was in the middle of a call."

"Of course she is," Richard commented with a long suffering sigh. "Well, let's get down to this. I did ask you here because of an investigation, but it isn't through the company. It's more personal."

"I see."

"Somehow I doubt that," he answered as he pulled a file from his desk drawer. "From what I know of your previous work history, I know you're familiar with Landview."

"I lived there for a while sometime back."

"A young woman who is very important to my wife and I currently resides there. She's in trouble. She's been indicted for a crime that she saids she didn't commit. Of course Emily and I believe she's telling us the truth. She'd have no reason not to. I would like to retain your services to help prove her innocence, as well as to find out some other information."

"Such as."

"Someone is gas lighting her. Trying to make her think that her deceased husband isn't deceased. Frankly, they've scared her quite badly. I'd also like you to see what you can find out about her attorney."

"How much time do I have?"

"From what she's told us, not a lot," Richard admitted. "Of course, finding the real culprit is to be your primary objective."

"What am I going to be investigating exactly?"

"The murder of Paul Crammer."

"Crammer? I've heard of the guy. He's bad news."

"How bad?"

"About as bad as it gets. Heard that not a whole lot of people are upset that he's dead, just about who is being charged with the crime."

"Well, we're among them," Richard said stiffly. "Tell me, do you think that you'll be able to help prove that Natalie Vega isn't the one who did it, Mr. Harrison."

"I don't make promises, but I will do the best that I can. I still know some people there, and if you don't mind, I know some other people who might be able to help."

"Whatever needs to be done. We will be seeing what we can find out on our own as well," Richard said as he stood.

"Mr. Gilmore, things could become dangerous. You should let professionals handle things."

"That is why I called you isn't it? Besides, the things we will be looking into are lower priorities for you. Rumor has it that her attorney went to school around here. She's about my daughter Lorelai's age, and if she happens to know someone who knows her why shouldn't we look into her background. Make sure she's what she saids she is."

"You think she's not."

"She's hurting someone I care about, that makes finding out all I can about her important."

The younger man only stared at him for a moment: "why is Natalie Vega so important to you?"

"That doesn't matter right now. What does is getting her the help she needs. Can I count on you?"

"Of course," he answered taking the file, and for more reasons than you're aware of. . .