Papa Jack Chapter 77
"So, after I was gone, you guys had all the fun," Kate sums up Richard's narration of the night before's events.
"Carleton Snodgrass left a pretty clearly marked trail," Richard says. "And the trail markers point to Loretta Peters. But the boys still have a lot of work to do."
"Yeah," Kate agrees, forking up a mushroom from her omelet. "But it will take some time for the video to come in – if it comes in. The traffic cams are usually in good shape, but trying to get footage from the subway can be a crapshoot."
"Let's hope Loretta drove," Richard says, taking a thankful sip of caffeinated brew. And until the video shows up, the guys need to check out Muirland Stamping. Hmm, if the company helps to counterfeit knives, I wonder what else they counterfeit?"
"Sporting goods, maybe," Kate offers. "Bats that have the signatures of top players engraved into them sell for a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if knockoffs brought in some good money at shows and auction sites. They could offer all kinds of gear with phony autographs. The fans would think they were getting a bargain."
"At least a jersey with a fake signature wouldn't hurt anyone – other than in the wallet," Richard points out as Kate polishes off the last of her omelet and two slices of crisp bacon. "It doesn't take a murder for those counterfeit knives to draw human blood. So, now that you're sniffing at the trail again, you want to go back to the 12th?"
"I'd rather go to your loft," Kate decides. "Your subscription engines might give out with something on Muirland Stamping that isn't available through NYPD resources. And when the video comes in, the boys will be gluing their eyes to the screen in Tech. They won't need a crowd. If anything pops on Loretta, it shouldn't be hard for them to spot it."
"Fine," Richard agrees. "You are free to use my search engines to your heart's content." He absently yawns.
"And while I do, you should grab a nap or something, Castle. You look like something the cat dragged in."
Richard grins. "Last time I checked, you don't have a cat. But I get your point. Turnabout is fair play. All right, Detective Beckett. While you avail yourself of my digital resources, I shall endeavor to grab a snooze – but not too long a one. I don't want to miss anything."
Kate returns his smile. "If you did, you wouldn't be Castle."
Shoeless and rubbing his eyes, Richard pads into his office. "Dig up any interesting dirt on Muirland Stamping?"
Kate swivels in her chair with triumph lighting her face. "Muirland Stamping has quite a history – or the two grifters that run it do."
"Either one of them named Muirland?" Richard asks.
"Neither. The company is owned by Lowell Lysander and Wilbur Tibbits. Before they bought it, Muirland Stamping hit the skids while trying to compete with larger companies that turn out promotional items and have the budget to push their businesses on cable TV. Jonas Muirland had to either sell or go into bankruptcy.
"Lysander and Tibbits have quite a history. They put up an online sports portal and convinced a bunch of people to invest. The business tanked, but they maneuvered the shutdown so that they walked away with a nice piece of change. The investors tried to sue but didn't have the resources to make a case. Then, Lysander and Tibbits ran a sketchy boiler room recruiting service. They collected fees from potential employers and from applicants. Neither one knew the other was paying. Eventually, they shut that down, too, leaving behind a lot of people who thought they were getting jobs, on the unemployment line. After that, Lysander and Tibbits picked up Muirland Stamping, essentially for the value of the machinery."
"Let me guess," Richard says. "There was no way Lysander and Tibbits could make an honest go of it with Muirland Stamping. The competition and clever commercials were still out there. So they picked up some business that no one would advertise."
"I haven't found any evidence to that effect beyond what Snodgrass uncovered at Lofner and Peters. However," Kate adds, "I did find a connection between Lorna Peters and Lowell Lysander. Turns out they went to Hudson U together – until he was expelled for selling stolen exams."
"Was she one of his customers?" Richard asks.
"Copies of the exams turned up at the Sorority House where she was a sister. The administration suspected she was his distributor, but they couldn't prove it. None of her sisters flipped on her."
Richard nods. "Because that would be tantamount to admitting they cheated. So, having obtained a financial boost once before from good old Lysander, Loretta turned to him to increase the profits at her old man's company. Only she never counted on a guy like Carleton Snodgrass taking that close a look at the books. So she had to take care of the problem – problems plural, when you include Eric Donnelly." He checks the time. "Wow! I slept away most of the morning. You think the traffic and subway video are in yet?"
"We could drop in at the precinct and find out," Kate suggests.
"So, you do want to see the video. I knew you couldn't leave something that potentially juicy to the boys. However, it's almost lunchtime," Richard notes. "I suspect we'll get a much warmer reception if we arrive bearing pizza."
Kate wrinkles her nose. "Esposito likes double jalapeños."
Air whooshes through Richard's pursed lips. "Copy that. He can have his own personal pie."
"The subway is a bust," Esposito announces before stuffing a pepper-laden pizza slice into his mouth.
"The cameras in the station closest to Donnelly's place have been out of service for weeks," Ryan adds. "Something about overloaded wiring. But it may not matter. Looks like Loretta likes a vehicle with ultra-comfortable seats to relax in after her runs. She owns a Chrysler 300, the 2005 car of the year, and very comfy."
"It would also have been very comfy after committing murder," Richard figures. "And if she took the subway with Donnelly's blood on her, even a New Yorker or two would have noticed. Chances are good that she drove. And a 300 has a big enough profile to make it easy to spot."
"So, have you got the traffic cam footage yet?" Kate inquires.
Ryan reaches for another slice of pizza. "Wong is cueing it up right now."
Kate points at the video on Tech's big screen. "That's a Chrysler 300, and it's the right color. But we need to see a plate."
"There!" Richard exclaims excitedly from behind her. "You can see part of one, anyway. P-E-T.
"Loretta has a vanity plate, PetersMP," Esposito recalls. "That fits."
"And you can see the driver's arm," Kate says. "It looks like she's wearing the running suit that the woman in the video from Chic Sporters wore. That car's less than a block from Donnelly's apartment. This video should be enough to get a warrant for a vehicle search. And if there's any trace of Donnelly's blood…."
"We'll have Donnelly's murderer and probably Snodgrass' killer too!" Ryan exclaims.
Esposito raises his hand for a high five. "Right on, Bro!"
"This calls for a celebration," Richard declares. "Anyone for dessert? The pizzeria threw in a couple of chocolate lava cakes with the pizza order."
"Jenny loves chocolate," Ryan says dreamily. "I'll save mine for her."
"Giving up your chocolate for your woman, that's true love," Richard proclaims. Leaning down, he whispers in Kate's ear. "I got an extra – just for you."