House of Sticks, Part III
The Keystone Film Company 11:52 AM
They drove up to the building that was Keystone Film Company. The paint on the sign out front was faded and flaking. There was a barrier in front of their car, and a security guard in a booth to control it. Cole got out of the car to speak to him.
"Hello, Cole Phelps" he said, "I'm a private detective investigating an industrial accident".
"Here?" the guard said.
"No," he said, "The accident occurred at a housing development on Normandie Avenue".
"So?" the man said.
"There was lumber over there that had the name of this company printed on it" Cole said.
"We've been closed since '41. Never quite made the transition to talkies" the guard said, "The Suburban Redevelopment Fund are pulling the place down".
The Suburban Redevelopment Fund. The name caught Cole's attention. He had come across them through his investigations on the Arson desk. They had been behind the Gulliver Travel Agency promotion which gave families a trip to Catalina Island, most of them coming back to find there house burnt to the ground. Monroe was a member, as well as several other important individuals in Los Angeles. Perhaps he and Elysian were only one piece of the puzzle that was the fund, one piece of the arsons he and Biggs were investigating. Cole made a mental note to find out who the other members of the fund were.
"This Suburban Redevelopment Fund, do you know anything about them?" Cole said, trying to sound as casual as possible as to not alert the guard to his intentions.
He knew that the guard most likely knew nothing more about the fund, but he had asked that question anyway to try and gain any little bit of information on the fund, no matter so small or seemingly insignificant it may seem.
"Nix" the guard said, dashing Cole's hopes of gaining at least a little information.
"Would you mind if me and my partner take a look around?" Cole said.
"I'm kinda hungry" the guard said, "If someone was to leave a couple of bucks here, I might wander down the street and get a cup of coffee".
"Is there a key for the gate?" Cole asked as he reached for his wallet.
"No," the guard said, "The only guys who go in or out are some delivery guys from Elysian Fields". "They're working on a housing development over at Wilson and Santa Monica".
Cole scribbled down the address in his notebook. It may be a lead worth investigating later. The guard pointed towards the gate when he looked back up.
"You and your friend will have to hop it" he said.
Cole took the money out of his wallet and passed it to the guard, who now had a smile plastered on his face. As he guard left his booth, Cole motioned to Herschel to get out of the car. Cole started looking around the studio. He saw piles of lumber near the front of the studio, and hopped over the fence to investigate them more closely. He looked at one pile and saw a piece of paper on it. He inspected it closely and saw that it was a delivery receipt.
"So here's the source of all of Elysian lumber" Cole said.
He out the receipt back down and inspected some of the other piles. Most of them had nothing interesting about them, however, one pile had something that caught Cole's interest. He picked up a piece of paper with "INFERIOR QUALITY" written on it in big red letter, with "NOT FOR STRUCTURAL USE" written in black letters below it.
"Keeping costs down, huh" he said, "Too bad this wood wouldn't hold a roof, much less the unfortunate worker working on it".
He saw Herschel on the other side of the fence and called to him.
"Herschel, I think I found something interesting with this lumber" Cole said.
Herschel climbed over the fence and walked up to him.
"This is most likely Elysian's primary source for all of the lumber they use in their subdivisions" he said, "And look at this…"
He held the paper up so Herschel could see it.
"The lumber they're using is not supposed to even be used on structural projects, no wonder the roof Lou was working on collapsed" he said.
"And they expect people to live under these roofs" Herschel said.
"That's the thing, they don't" Cole said, "Think about Rancho Escondido, veterans pay for the houses, however, before they move in, the subdivision is burnt down to hid the substandard materials used. Elysian keeps all or part of the money the veterans paid, lining their coffers on the back of soldiers".
"Bastards" Herschel said, "Elysian is probably pocketing the insurance money as well. You know, Cole, we should check out just how much these houses are insured for".
"There may be other clues around here" Cole said, "We should go search the buildings"
The two detectives hopped over the fence, ending up back in the area with their car before hopping over another fence to get to where the entrances to the studio's building were located. The area was dirty and unkempt, not surprising considering the studio was shut down. They walked through what seemed almost to be an alleyway before ending up in a plaza with entrances to several buildings. One building, with a white sign with the words "SCREENING ROOM" written in black letters above its doors, caught their attention. The doors to the building were also open, possibly indicating use of some sort, which beckoned them in. The screening room was a big room, with a giant screen on the back end and a box holding a projector by the front. There were several shelves and drawers, which probably once held reels of films back when the studio was operating. However, now they were probably empty. A film canister on a table caught Cole's eye, and he walked over to investigate it. He picked up the case, his attention immediately being caught by what was written on it. On the front, there was a sticker with the words "Suburban Redevelopment Fund" on it.
"This could be interesting" Cole muttered.
He opened the canister, but found it to be empty.
"The reel should be nearby" he said.
He put the canister back down on the table and turned towards the box. He walked over to it and opened it, revealing the projector inside. There was already a reel set to be played, hopefully the Suburban Redevelopment Fund one, Cole thought.
"Herschel" he said, calling his partner over, "You know how to work one of these things?"
"Can't say I do" Herschel said, walking over, "Though, I think those switches and dials might do something".
He was referring to the controls on the back of the projector. Cole looked at them closely, then flipped a switch. The projector turned on, filling the screen with images. Cole could make out a few familiar faces from the film, and the film itself somehow seemed familiar. The only sound that was playing was sped up gibberish. Cole realized he needed to fiddle with a few of the dials if both of them were to see the movie. He started moving around the top dial, bringing the picture into focus. He could recognize Monroe's face as he let go of the dial, the film being sufficiently in focus. He started turning the second dial, slowing down the film and its sound. He managed to get the film slowed down to a reasonable level, but he still couldn't make out what people were saying.
"Dammit" he said, "What do I have to do now?"
He looked at the final switch on the projector, underneath the two dials. That's when he realized the film was backwards, that's why he couldn't make out of the words. He flicked the switch, and the film started playing from the beginning. A title card marked the beginning of the film, apparently called "Life after the War". The film showed a building, somehow familiar to Cole, probably some place in Los Angeles.
"It's a great day for citizens in Los Angeles. Civic leaders and businessmen join forces to launch the Suburban Redevelopment Fund, bringing a sense of hope to the battlefields of the Pacific" an announcer in the film said, "The Suburban Redevelopment Fund promises to speed up housing developments for GIs when they return from the war".
The picture cut to a building's interior, probably a restaurant or bar of some sort, then cutting again to a group of men around a table, mostly prominent and recognizable L.A. faces.
"Hello soldier, I am Leland Monroe" Monroe said in the film, "I am head of Elysian Fields Construction Company and one of the members of the Suburban Redevelopment Fund, a group of citizens working hard so that you can have affordable housing should you decide to come to Los Angeles after you return home safe from the war".
Cole realized exactly how the video was familiar then. It was the same film that was shown to soldiers in the Pacific, to convince them that they were appreciate and that they would have a home waiting in a certain city. He had only seen a bit of the film, mostly due to having to get ready to head back into the crossfire of the battlefield at the time.
"You see," Monroe continued, "We appreciate the sacrifice you are making in order to ensure America's freedom, and we want to reward you for that sacrifice the best we, as citizens of America, can. The Suburban Redevelopment Fund is made up of several important Los Angeles citizens, such as Dr. Harlan Fontaine, a physician dedicated to treating the soldiers who weren't lucky enough to make it back home in one piece. Our other prestigious members include Curtis Benson, Vice-President of California Fire & Life Insurance, as well as Ray Gordon, editor of the Los Angeles Times".
As Monroe mentioned the people's names in the film, the picture cut to close ups of the men's faces. Cole had a realization when Benson's name came up. After all, it was no wonder Benson was trying to figure out what he was investigating when he was a member of the very organization that could get into trouble if anything fishy was found out about the houses.
"But don't you think all of us are businessmen trying to make a buck" Monroe said, "We have several important people from the government of this fine city to make sure you get the best houses possible. We have our District Attorney, Donald Sandler, and the Chief of Police Henry Worrell".
Cole almost started laughing when Monroe mentioned not wanting to make a buck, since all the evidence pointed to Monroe making the worst possible housing to make that buck on the backs of soldiers.
"We are creating several developments all around the city of Los Angeles for you, so that when you come back home, you have an affordable home waiting for you. That, soldiers of freedom, is why you should settle down in Los Angeles".
The film ended after that, with cheesy patriotic music playing during the short credits.
"So now we know who the Suburban Redevelopment Fund are" Cole said, "They gave all their identities away in one promotional film".
"These are some powerful people, Cole" Herschel said, "We will need a lot more evidence in order to bring them all down".
"I agree," Cole said, "I think I need to talk to Elsa and tell her about what we found".
Cole left the screening room and headed back towards the car. He hopped over the fence, trying to find a phone of some sort. He spied one in the guard's booth, and looked around. He wasn't back yet, and even then, he probably wouldn't mind if he used it. He walked into the booth and noticed a newspaper sitting by the phone. Cole picked up the paper, and started reading it. The headline was "REDEVELOPMENT FUND REVEALS PLANS". He looked at the date of the newspaper, and saw that, even though it wasn't today's, it was still very recent. He read through, trying to figure out whether the plans they were referring to were their original plans, or plans to deal with the houses that were burnt down.
"Okay, now that were done here" Leland Monroe said, "I think now would be the perfect time to discuss our plans".
He looked around and saw the last of the cameramen leave the building. He and the rest of the Suburban Redevelopment Fund had just finished filming a message to the soldiers oversees encouraging them to settle in Los Angeles.
"Mr. Fontaine, as our newest investor, you did a fine job today for the cameras" Monroe said.
"Thank you, Mr. Monroe" Fontaine said, "I must say I am delighted to be with such exalted company".
"Well, Doctor" Gordon said, "You are making quite a name for yourself amongst the thespian fraternity"
"I find that those of artistic temperament are often of fragile mental disposition, Mr. Gordon" Fontaine replied.
"It's a short step from miscreant to recidivism, Doctor" Sandler said.
"Very true, but I think we could all agree that the City of Angels does rather well basking in the reflection of the motion picture industry".
Leland chuckled.
"Hear, hear" he said, "And it's something that every sucker getting off a train at Union Station wants a part of".
"Gentlemen," Monroe said, looking around at all the members, "we're here to sell the American Dream, and Hollywood is our greatest advertiser".
"So how is your new development selling, Leland?" Gordon asked.
"Cannot throw 'em up fast enough, Ray" Monroe said.
"And that's part of the problem, Leland" Sandler said, "Washington is receiving steady complaints. There's a clamor for public housing".
"Goddamit, Donald. Public housing is tantamount to communism" Monroe said, interrupting Sandler, "That's why we fought this goddamn war. I'm telling you, it's Reds via the back door".
"You can't have it both ways, Leland" Gordon said, "The new freeways are being built to service all your developments out in the boondocks. They're all being built with government money".
"The GI bill is government money" Benson said.
"There's a difference" Monroe said.
"What difference?" Benson asked.
"The GI money ends up in my pocket" Monroe replied.
"I hope you mean "our" pockets, Leland. We are all investors" Benson said, partially cutting off Monroe.
"Of course, Curtis" Monroe said.
Monroe turned to Sandler.
"So when will the freeway bond be passed, Donald?" he asked.
"It still has to be ratified" Sandler said, "It takes a long time to raise three billion dollars".
The men started chuckling, taking smokes from their cigars.
Cole put down the newspaper and picked up the telephone.
"Hello, how may I help you?" the operator said.
"Can you put me through to the Blue Room Jazz Club" Cole said.
As it was the afternoon, Elsa should be at the club practicing with her band.
"Right away" the operator said.
There were a couple seconds of silence before he heard a man's voice on the other end of the line.
"Hello, Blue Room Jazz Club" he said, "How may I help you?"
The man's voice was familiar, and it only took Cole a couple seconds to recognize it.
"Alfonse, it's Phelps" he said, "I need to speak to Elsa".
"Right away" Alfonse said.
There was a small wait as Alfonse went to retrieve Elsa, but eventually, he heard her on the other end of the phone.
"Cole, what is it?" she said.
"Elsa, I need to talk to you" he said, "I've found something big, something that connects with Lou's death".
"I'm working tonight" she said, "Perhaps we can meet at the Blue Room".
"Sure" he said, "I'll see you there".
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long, I have work for school, and I am also working on a new fanfic. I will occasionally update old chapters on the fic, fixing typos and grammar errors, so if there an update on an old chapter, there will probably be nothing new there. However, new chapters are a different story. This chapter was both fun and hard to write, and hopefully I'm not the only one who played the game and thought that it was stupid for the SRF to have that video at all, so I changed it to something more realistic. Next chapter will finish the House of Sticks case. I'm planning on making House of Sticks into a case similar to The Quarter Moon Murders, where there is mostly action and barely any questioning. However, A Polite Invitation and A Different Kind of War, will have interrogations. Now review question time:
.984349 - I appreciate your reviews and your constructive criticism. It's nice getting reviews and not writing in an echo chamber, so I appreciate criticism if it's constructive, as I want this story to be the best it can be. Glad you like it.
And to all the rest of you reading this, if you have a question, please review, and heck, review if you don't have one and just like the story. Reviews are very, very nice.