CHAPTER 4
"And last but certainly not least: crime scene number three where Mr. Charles Rickman was murdered." Hoyt led the way into the theater. "Center section, four rows from the back and about midway across."
Once again, Houston pulled out the flashlight, and once again a black rose was found. As Hoyt called the CSI tech yet again, Matt checked the row behind the victim's seat and found nothing.
"You know what occurs to me? We haven't seen one drop of blood. Wouldn't you expect to find at least a little bit considering that these folks' eyes were removed?" He looked at the lieutenant.
"You would think so. I understand why the victims were at the back of the theaters: nobody would notice the crime occurring. Totally understandable. But the black roses and lack of blood just don't add up. And I find it extremely hard to believe that the techs would miss a black rose three times. Those folks are really dedicated. I'm wondering if the roses were placed there after the CSI's had finished up? And if so, who in the world got in to do it?" He reached into his pocket for the always-present roll of antacids.
"Hoyt…" Matt started in.
"Do NOT go there, PI! I'm not in the mood for your yogurt remarks. Do you know how hard it is to give away 36 cases of yogurt? If I never see another cup of yogurt again it will be too soon." He was referring to the cases of yogurt that Matt had had delivered to his office a couple of weeks ago, partly as a joke, and partly to help his friend with his ulcer problems.
"I wasn't thinking about yogurt, but now that you mention it…" Seeing the look on the lieutenant's face, he changed his mind and decided to change the subject as well. "Never mind. But think about it: who would have access to all three theaters? Repairmen maybe?"
"Well, we can find out. I'll call the managers of the other two theaters and see what they can tell us. You want to take care of this one?" Hoyt already had his phone out.
"Sure thing." Matt started off toward the office. He stopped when he got to the doorway of the theater and noticed that there was a long black hair stuck to the door frame – with blood. "Hoyt, you better come look at this. We may have just found some blood after all."
Hoyt closed his phone and walked over. "I'm going to have to give you bonus points, PI. That's another save today."
Matt walked on out of the theater and found the manager in his office. He lightly knocked on the door. The balding forty-something manager looked scared to death.
"Y-yes? Can I help you?" He jumped up out of his chair.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I was just wondering: have y'all had any repairmen to come into the building about the time of the murder or shortly thereafter?" Houston leaned against the doorframe.
"No, sir, we haven't. I do most repairs around here myself." He still looked incredibly scared.
"Thanks for your time." Matt tried to give him a reassuring smile. He turned and walked back to the theater just as the tech arrived to collect the rose, and now the hair and blood that Houston had found. He didn't look happy to be there.