Chapter 8
Thank's again for the reviews. This chapter is about meeting a potential suspect.
„Why did you take me? Wouldn't it have been better if you had taken Flynn or Provenza along?"
Sharon smirked. "I want your assessment if Mr. McGregor could be our killer. He is too high profile to mess with him if it isn't necessary and Flynn and Provenza have the unique talent to get into trouble, I don't need this talent played out here."
"But you're going to check his alibi anyway regardless of my assumption."
"Yes, of course! Now tell me about the letters."
"Bloody. I singled out the ones written with human blood and suitable content. Dr. Morales is trying to find out if one of those was written with blood from our victims. But according to the historical files the Dear Boss letter only arrived today so we'll have to wait."
"Lauren you know we are running out of time!" Sharon snapped.
"Yes and I'm well aware that I'm not the help you hoped for", the younger one replied, leaking the need to please she always had had.
"No no, you helped a lot. But I hate to wait when there's a killer probably planning a double homicide and I'm shocked how casual you are treating lives", she said more gently.
"I'm not casual about this but I need some distance to be able to make decisions. I can't afford getting too close or I'd break", Lauren admitted her voice small and vulnerable.
Sharon parked the car and looked at her daughter till she fidgeted under the scrutiny. "You have to try to keep the balance between relating to the case and distance or you'll get ruthless and even worse cold from the inside."
Lauren nodded "I'll try. You know we have to get into the killer's head that's very demanding and the case I was on in New York perhaps took more than I thought."
"Perhaps you should have taken a break."
"If I want to do this for a living I have to see if I can do it without a break. After all serial killers don't take a break."
Sharon hummed and for once Lauren couldn't decipher what it meant, so she followed her mother into the huge modern building at the heart of L.A.'s financial district. They reached the reception and Sharon handed over her card and after a quick phone call of the attractive blond and young receptionist they were in the elevator on their way up to McGregor's office. Lauren noticed her mother's nervousness. She straightened the black pencil skirt several times and couldn't decide if she wanted to put her hand's into the pockets of her suit jacket, also black or not. The final was that she did the hand thing!
"You are doing it again!" Lauren whispered just as the elevator doors swooshed open giving way to ante room with modern black and white decoration. Sharon stretched her fingers once and went over to yet another blond assistant, followed by Lauren.
"Mr. McGregor is expecting you", announced the blond smiling and led them through a big wing door, leading to yet another big room. This one was dominated by a dark wooden vintage desk. Lauren had to remind herself not to gawk and searched the room for Douglas McGregor. The assistant left and Sharon, who had scanned the room too called out "Mr. McGregor?"
"Just a second!" a deep male voice came back from the right side of the room where a door was open to what seemed to be a bathroom. When he finally emerged she noticed her mother's eyes widen a little. McGregor was probably in his late 50ies and looked very handsome with his silver and dark grey hair combed out of his face. His face was arresting, sharp and well-defined, the nose and lips distinguished. Lauren's gaze quickly glided down a muscular body. He was definitely capable of commiting the murders. If he was Sharon on the other hand was captured by the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. He wore dark suit pants sans a jacket shirt-sleeves turned up. He dried off his hands. "Sorry needed a refreshment", he said closing the distance between them and extended a hand to Sharon. She took it and said quietly "No need to apologize Mr. McGregor. We have to thank you for making time for us on such a short notice."
Lauren looked on their hands hold for just an instant to long. Flynn would have been a better choice she thought clearing her throat. "Sir would you mind answering some questions", she said kicking Sharon back into reality and Raydor mode.
The Captain reclaimed her hand and put on a smirk. "Yes if you don't mind."
Douglas smiled "Do I need a lawyer present?"
"That depends, do you feel guilty?" Sharon gave back and got a throaty laugh from McGregor.
"Not the least. But I have to admit I have reservations for lunch. Would you mind to come along."
"Not at all", Sharon answered before Lauren could voice her concerns. Only minutes later they followed McGregor to the top of the building where his helicopter waited. Lauren held her mother back "Seriously?"
"What?" Sharon whispered.
"Lunch?"
"It's easier to do this in his comfort zone."
"What the flirting or the interview."
Sharon's eyes narrowed "Are you questioning my professionalism? I'd strongly advise against this", she whispered back.
"He's flirting!"
"I know. That doesn't mean I have to buy it."
20 minutes later they settled at a table at McGregor's luxury hotel he had just opened. "The heli is easier than dealing with traffic", he had explained and Lauren only nodded biting back the sarcastic answer while her mother only nodded smiling. He invited them and talked Sharon into a file steak while Lauren settled for a salad.
"So what do I owe this visit to?"
"We heard that you knew Melinda Owens", Sharon said waiting for his reaction.
Douglas nodded "I do and I'm aware she was killed."
"We'd like to know when you saw her last and if she mentioned feeling threatened or chased."
Douglas smiled "Am I a suspect?"
Sharon smirked "That depends", the food was delivered and Lauren munched absent-mindly on her salad watching her mother flirt and yet not really responding to McGregor's advances. They established that Melinda felt very comfortable with Douglas. That much they already knew. Melinda had told her colleagues she liked having someone who was not only rich but smart. Douglas also provided an interesting explanation for resorting to escort services.
"You know it's rather complicated to date for me. They all want to marry and are rather disappointed when I end the relationship."
"Is that why you got a restraining order against your last fiancé?" Sharon asked.
"Exactly" he had finished his steak in record time "Ladies I'm sorry I have to leave. Enjoy the meal. My personal assistant Mr. Gull will see that you are brought back safely and provide the information regarding my alibi and my last contact with Melinda." They all stood and Douglas took Sharon's hand "It was a pleasure meeting you Captain. Would you care to inform me once I'm off the hook?"
Sharon nodded "I will; thank you for your time."
He shook hands with Lauren too, yet briefly. He asked them again to finish the meal before he left. Sharon watched him leave and was glad Lauren was with her or she might have fallen for him even more than she cared to admit right now. The presence of her child was a very good to keep her head clear. She looked at Lauren "What do you think? ", she asked sipping her water.
"I think he's interested in you."
Sharon shook her head "I mean if he could be the killer."
"After what I saw I'd say he wouldn't like doing the dirty work himself and our killer sure does what he does with passion but" she made a pause "I think he means trouble."
"Let's wait if his alibi checks out", Sharon said.
Mr. Gull turned out be a grandfather type with the manners of a gentleman. He was in his 60ies and projected friendly politeness. Lauren noticed his tight set lower jaws when he delivered copies of his boss' appointment schedule from the time of the first murder till 1st of October. He wasn't happy that his boss was investigated, that much was obvious but he casted a friendly smile their way none the less.
"Mr. Gull would you mind, but are you responsible for Mr. McGregor's more private appointments?" Sharon asked.
He nodded, "Yes. I make arrangements with his ladies if you mean that" sending a cold look from his light grey eyes towards Sharon.
"Did he see anyone else besides Ms. Owens?" Sharon ignored the glare.
"Not recently. I'll provide a list of the women he has seen if you want me to."
"That would be nice."
"Mr. McGregor said I'm to make sure you got everything you need Captain."
Lauren chipped in a question, "How long have you been working for Mr. McGregor?"
Gull smiled "I worked for the McGregor family since I graduated from school and before that my father worked for him. Our families came over from the United Kingdom in the seventeenth century Dr. Raydor." It was a genuine smile he showed while referring to his ancestry.
"Impressive", Lauren gave back.
"Commitment is always impressive doctor. My family has ties to British gentry. I have an aunt who works for the crown."
"Have you ever been to the continent?"
"I attended the Ivor Spencer Butler school in 1982."
"Again impressive Mr. Gull! Did Mr. McGregor tell you how we get back to our car?"
"The helicopter is waiting for the Captain and you, Dr. Raydor."
"Then we should get back" Sharon said getting up from the table. "Thank you for your help Mr. Gull. I assume we should contact you if we needed anything else?"
"Exactly", he answered with a polite smile and handed Sharon a card with his mobile number.