Chapter 7
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Gary Fredo thought about what Carlos said to him. Perhaps Carlos murdered Ryan when he was in the house. Or perhaps father Clarence murdered him and Carlos' imagination ran away with him. He wouldn't be the first person whose imagination did this in a house at night, all alone. Or perhaps the killer was nearly interrupted, but got lucky when Carlos left. In any event, he had to still look for evidence. Krystal's diner was the best place to start. It was the closest location, and he wanted to ask about her receipt paper.
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Fredo: Hello Krystal.
Krystal: Hello detective.
Fredo: Have you heard about Ryan Lavery?
Krystal: I have, a shame.
Fredo: Where were you last night?
Krystal: I was home for the most part. Then Kendall called and said there was something wrong with her kitchen sink, asked me to look at it.
Fredo: You're a plumber?
Krystal: When it pays the bills I am. And I fixed it, she payed me one hundred dollars for it.
Fredo: Do you have a license for this?
Krystal: I wasn't aware I needed one. I won't do it again.
Fredo: I'm investigating a murder, not unlicensed plumbing. By the way, are you aware that your receipt paper is an hour slow?
Krystal: Yeah, had that problem ever since I bought this thing a month ago. But since few complain about it fixing this thing isn't high on my budget.
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Gary Fredo decided to question Kendall next, see if she and Krystal give the same story.
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Kendall: What do you want detective?
Fredo: You heard about Ryan Lavery?
Kendall: He's in Hell with Michael Cambias.
Fredo: Well, I'll let God decide who gets sent to Hell, but yes he is dead. He was your ex-boyfriend, so was Michael Cambias. Do you see a pattern here.
Kendall: I'm not the only woman in Pine Valley who made those two specific mistakes. Why don't you talk to Greenlee?
Fredo: I intend to. But Greenlee told me she was with Ryan the night Michael was killed, Ryan backed up his story. If she murdered Ryan she killed her own alibi.
Kendall: For now. But maybe she manipulated Ryan into lying for her, then got nervous he would develop a conscience.
Fredo: That is possible. Where were you last night?
Kendall: Home.
Fredo: Can anyone vouch for you?
Kendall: Krystal. There was something wrong with my kitchen sink and she seems to know plumbing so I asked her to come over and take a look at it.
Fredo: I didn't realize you two were friends.
Kendall: Friendly enough, she did charge me.
Fredo: How much did you pay her?
Kendall: Three hundred dollars.
Fredo: Thank you, you've been very helpful.
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Detective Fredo looked over his notes to be certain, but Kendall claimed she had payed Krystal three hundred dollars for the plumbing, Krystal claimed that Kendall only payed her one hundred dollars. Perhaps Kendall murdered Ryan and hired Krystal as an alibi, but they didn't coordinate their stories well enough. Or perhaps Krystal killed Michael and Ryan and asked Kendall to help give her an alibi, Kendall didn't seem too broken up about either of their deaths. Or perhaps they were both telling the truth, and Krystal was only planning to report one hundred dollars on her taxes. There was no proof that either woman was involved in these murders, but it was definitely worth looking into. But for now, he had other suspects to talk to. The next stop was doctor David Hayward's office. Gary didn't like to think of his friend as a suspect, but right now he couldn't rule it out.
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David: Detective, what can I do to help you?
Fredo: I'd like to know where you were last night?
David: Home, with my wife.
Fredo: What about the night Michael was murdered?
David: I already told you, I was at the urgent care center. Just ask Maggie.
Fredo: I did. She not only said you weren't there, you asked her to lie to me. Was she lying to me or are you?
David: Okay, I admit, I lied about where I was. For the last month I've been having an affair with Erica Kane. The night of Michael's death, it was a Monday, out usual night together. But when I arrived at the motel, it was clear she was drunk. I may be an adulterer but I do not take advantage of drunk women. We got into an argument, and I wrestled her car keys from her. Erica threw me out, and as I was leaving she was calling someone, asking for a ride.
Fredo: Who was she calling?
David: I don't know, but I figured she at least wasn't going to drive drunk. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied.
Fredo: Why did you?
David: I was scared my wife would find out I was cheating on her.
Fredo: I won't tell her, but she might already know. If you want to win her back, I suggest a lot of groveling.
David: Probably.
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Detective Fredo looked over his notes. With Ryan Lavery dead there were 15 suspects remaining. He had spoken with Anna, father Clarence, Carlos, David, JR, Kendall, Krystal, and Reggie. 8 down, 7 to go. He decided to go over to Erica's house next. He could question her, Jackson, and possibly Bianca all at once. Sure enough the three of them were all there, as were Bianca's girlfriend Maggie and friend Marissa.
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Jackson: Detective, I am licenced to practice law. If you wish to question my wife, my stepdaughter, or her friends, I would like to be present from now on.
Fredo: I understand. I take it you have advised them all of their rights.
Jackson: I have, and they are each willing to speak with you. With their attorney present of course.
Fredo: Of course. I'd like to start with you Jackson. Where were you last night?
Jackson: Right here, with my wife.
Fredo: Is that true Erica?
Erica: Yes.
Fredo: And were you also together the night Michael Cambias was murdered?
Erica: No, I fell off the wagon and wound up across town. I think Jackson was in the mayor's office, catching up on paperwork.
Fredo: That's right. I'm an old man, I need to constantly check my notes. And Bianca, where were you last night?
Bianca: I was at Maggie's place. She has been good at comforting me since the rape.
Fredo: And Marissa, where were you last night?
Marissa: Home sleeping.
Fredo: The night Michael died, you said you were at your mother's diner.
Marissa: For a little while.
Fredo: Did you know that the receipt paper is an hour slow?
Marissa: It is?
Fredo: Yes it is.
Marissa: I guess I was wrong about the time.
Fredo: Are you certain you were with Bianca the whole time?
Marissa: Maybe I should speak with my own attorney before I answer any more questions.
Fredo: That is your right.