the scheme (complete version)[1]

8/14/2019 The Scheme (Complete Version)[1]

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The Scheme

By James Ellison

PO Box 1523

Tupelo, MS 38802

(662) 844-4915

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Chapters

1. The Scheme is Hatched

2. Robbery

3. Drive-by

4. The Interview

5. The Snatch

6. The Trap

7. Busted

8. On The Road Again


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1. The Scheme is Hatched

It was a hot and muggy night in early July as Jimmy

Sinclair drove out of town. He had a weekly dinner date

with two people he loved. Jimmy entered his parents rural

ranch house on fifty acres, about eight miles east of

Tupelo, Mississippi.

Pat and Earl Sinclair were both 74 and in excellent

health. They retired two years ago and gave full ownership

of their grocery store named Buffalo Bills to their only

son, age forty-five.

Jimmy carried assorted flowers into his mothers

kitchen. Pat was used to her sons routine and already had

an empty glass vase sitting on the breakfast table. Jimmy

spoke as he placed the flowers in the vase and added tap

water from the kitchen sink, Mom, Kathy and I are getting

a divorce.

Pat was hard of hearing. Her current hearing aide was

on the blink and the new one had not yet arrived by express

mail. She kept peeling the potatoes. Jimmy stepped closer

and spoke louder, Mom, Kathy and I are getting a divorce!

Pat stopped her peeling and looked at her son, Now

thats good news, because I never did like her and I told

you she was only after your money!

Earl walked in, carrying the television remote. It


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needs batteries.

Pat turned to her husband of fifty years. They are

in the top left drawer. Jimmys getting a divorce. Pat

returned to peeling the three potatoes while Earl searched

for the batteries.

I found them. I hope theyre not dead. You know

son, your mother and I never did like that woman. We

strongly suspected that she was a gold digger. Earl

continued to talk as he switched out the batteries. You

and Kathy got hitched mighty quick. What was it two

months? How can you know someone in such a short period of

time? I warned you to date longer.

I wish I had listened to you dad. Now its going to

cost me some of my hard earned money to get out of it.

After dinner the three retired to the front porch and

sat around looking at the large fish pond that sat below

the four thousand square foot house on the hill. Jimmy

loved coming to his parents house. He knew he had their

support no matter what.

I guess we cant count on grandkids anytime soon,

lamented Pat, sipping on a tall glass of iced tea. Jimmy

looked at his mother and father and asked himself, Why

couldnt I have found a love as great as theirs?

More tea son? asked his father, holding the pitcher


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in his hand. Jimmy held out his empty glass and watched

half of the contents hit the deck as his father shakily

filled the glass.

Im meeting with Kathy and her lawyer tomorrow

morning and will try to work out a settlement. Pat cupped

her hand to her ear. Jimmy spoke again, much louder, I am

meeting with Kathy and her lawyer tomorrow and will try to

work out a settlement. Jimmy slowly drank his iced tea

and thought of the man he just hired to kill his gold

digging wife.

After departing, Jimmy drove home to his own large

colonial mansion on Rutland Road. He parked his old white

Honda in the circular driveway next to his greedy wifes

new green BMW convertible. Jimmy climbed the stairs to the

master bedroom. Kathy now slept in the guest room down the

hall. Jimmy saw light coming from beneath his wifes

bedroom door. Good night gold digger, Jimmy whispered

under his breath.

Jimmy left the house at six forty five the next

morning. He had to be at the grocery store to open at

seven. When he pulled into the parking lot he spotted

Billy Sutton, age 20, exiting his mothers red Chrysler

Caravan. Jimmy liked his hard working clerk of six months.


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He heard from others that Billy was well liked at college.

He was a good looking young man, tall and lean with close

cropped blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a personality to

match.

Morning boss.

Morning Billy. While its on my mind, when do you

start college again?

No time soon. I took a year off so my pitching arm

could heal. I start back in January.

Any luck in finding that dream car yet?

No sir, its hard to save money with dating and all.

Jimmy chuckled, Well Billy, you could save more if

you dated only one girl at a time.

Billy grinned as he picked up some trash in front of

the store. True sir, but how do you know which is the

right one for you?

Well, youve got me there. I sure am no expert,

said Jimmy ruefully as he unlocked the front door, turned

off the alarm, and turned on all the interior lights.

Billy grabbed a white apron and headed in the direction of

the storage room.

Billy, I have to leave at eight thirty. I have an

important meeting with Kathy and her lawyer at ten am.

Yes sir, I know. Mrs. Sinclair called me before I

left for work.


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What did she say to you?

Sir, I like you both and I dont want to come between

you, so Id rather not tell each of you what the other

tells me.

Okay Billy, thats understandable, but its my store

and I hired you, remember?

I know sir, but I want to be loyal to both of you.

Billy, your loyalty is one of your best qualities. I

wont put you on the spot.

Thank you sir, said a relieved Billy. What do you

want me to do first?

Kathy was undecided what to wear. Should she wear a

suit, a dress, or a blouse and skirt? She called her

mother for advice.

Wear the dress, Carol Cummings, age 56, advised her

only child. Now remember, fight for what is legally

yours.

I will mom. I hired a bulldog of an attorney.

Kathy checked her appearance in the full-length mirror

located by the entryway. The floral print dress was

definitely the right choice. Kathy brushed her long dark

hair, put on red lipstick, grabbed her purse, and headed

out the front door. She drove slowly away in her new car,

listening to country music.


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John Farran, age 35, with short dark hair and a

mustache, comfortable in a striped shirt and blue jeans,

checked his Wheel of Fortune watch again. His partner was

late. John sat in a corner booth in the dark, away from

the other customers in the Hideaway Bar. His watch read

nine twenty five am.

Jimmy sat in his car in front of the dimly lit and

smoky bar, knowing he was keeping his partner in crime

waiting. He was having mixed feelings. Jimmy wanted to

kill his wife, but then again he didnt. He just didnt

want to give his money grubbing wife a huge sum of money

for only eleven months of marriage. He really hated her

for setting him up. He wanted the same long lasting and

loving relationship that his parents had.

He stepped into the relatively empty bar and walked

over to John, who was sipping on a Coors Light at nine

thirty in the morning. Sorry Im late. I had another

argument with the missus, Jimmy lied as the waitress

approached. Jimmy ordered the same as John and once they

were alone, Jimmy spoke.

I know the police will check my bank account for any

transactions once she is killed, so I cant have any out of

the ordinary withdrawals. I thought of a good way to give


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you your down payment. After the waitress delivered the

beer Jimmy continued, After I visit with Kathys divorce

lawyer, meet me at Summit Bank, on the East side of Main

Street. Ill give you half of the thirty thousand we

agreed on and the other half once she is dead.

Sitting across from the unhappily married man was John

Farran, a professional truck driver posing as a hit man.

Now did you visit my store and check my wife out?

Yep, a very attractive woman, maybe 15 years younger

than you?

Shes 26 and Im 45. Can you make it look like a

store robbery? Jimmy asked, showing his hit man the

headlines of the Tupelo Business Journal: Rash of Store

Robberies One Owner Shot.

Thats my work, John lied, acting serious as he

tried to look convincing as a professional killer. You

want it in the head or torso?

Jimmy looked at his watch, gulped down the last of his

beer and said, The torso will do. I have to leave; our

meeting is at ten am. I have to pretend I want to settle.

Jimmy and Kathy Sinclair, married almost a year, and

the owners of Buffalo Bills grocery store, sat at opposite

ends of Attorney Paul Salmans conference table. Jimmy read


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the newspaper about the robberies while Kathy looked out

the window at all the kids playing in the fountain on this

beautiful Friday morning. The citys number one divorce

attorney entered, placed a small file folder on the

conference table and sat next to Kathy, his new client.

Morning Jim. I know you want to get this over with,

so here are our demands.

The meeting lasted only ten minutes, and shouting from

both parties could be heard from down the hall before Jimmy

walked out to the elevator, caught one before the doors

closed, and was gone. Kathy stayed behind, talking with

her very expensive attorney.

Paul, I dont think we ever will come to an agreement

on who gets what. I guess youd better prepare the papers.

Your husband, soon to be ex-husband I might say, has

no legal grounds to deny you what is legally yours. In

Mississippi, its a 50-50 split.

Wheres Kathy? Wheres Jimmy? Thats all Billy

heard from customers as he did his best to provide the best

customer service possible.

They will be back in a few hours, Billy would

respond while bagging groceries or ringing their purchases.

Billy knew the Sinclairs had loyal and dedicated customers

who really cared what was going on in their lives. He


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ignored the twinge in his arm as he repeatedly performed

his duties.

Billy had injured his pitching arm while at a friends

birthday party several months ago. In a strange twist of

fate, a drunken adult male fell off a trampoline onto

Billy, breaking Billys right elbow. It resulted in a

surgery with three large pins inserted to hold things in

place. Following the orthopedic doctors instructions to

give it time to heal, Billy was throwing lightly every day

to his younger brother, Ray. The loyal Sinclair customers

would also inquire about the elbow, which Billy explained,

was getting stronger every day.

The young man had some money put away in the bank

destined for a used car, but Billys ultimate dream car was

a Chevy Camaro with the sport package and the top of the

line stereo system. He would gently refuse his mothers

offers to pick him up in front of his place of employment

each day. Instead he would walk the twenty or so blocks to

Tupelo Chevrolet and walk the lot. If Billy arrived during

business hours, the salesmen would not approach. They knew

well that the star pitcher of the University of Mississippi

baseball team was broke. Someday, Billy would say to

himself, someday Ill drive out of here instead of walking.

Billys brother, Ray, age fourteen, walked into


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Buffalo Bills with their mother. Billy was happy to see

his family. For some reason, this day was extra busy and

Billy needed help. Thanks for coming brother. Can you

bag the groceries and help carry them out to the cars?

Okay, smiled the younger boy, excited at the chance

to work with his older brother. Plastic or paper? he

asked the elderly woman standing at the counter.

Ray, you know we only have plastic at this store,

reminded Billy.

I know brother, but I always just wanted to say those

words!

Are you staying too mom? asked Billy.

No honey, your father wants me to help him lay new

sod in our back yard. Call me when you need a ride. Both

boys gave their mom a big smile and went back to work.

Billy, you didnt say how much Im gonna get paid.

Ill talk to Mrs. Sinclair when she gets back from

her settlement meeting, but I think seven an hour.

Wow, seven an hour. I can buy something really good

with that, thought Ray as he started to sweep the aisles.

Kathy rode the elevator to the lobby, saying hello to

the young couple that got on at the fourth floor. Near her

car, Kathy called Buffalo Bills grocery store, and Billy


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Sutton, her trusted clerk of six months, answered.

Billy, Ill be there in about twenty minutes to take

the deposit to the bank.

Maam, Mr. Sinclair just left carrying the weeks

proceeds.

How odd, thought Kathy, waiting at the traffic light

in her newly purchased green BMW convertible. Thats my

Friday chore.

Jimmy pulled into the parking lot of Summit Bank,

located on the corner of Main and First. Suddenly, a white

Cadillac pulled up alongside and a gun was thrust into

Jimmys face.

The hooded man smiled, Give me my money please!

Jimmy did as instructed, and just like that John

Farran had his fifteen thousand. An elderly woman ran over

after the Cadillac departed the parking lot.

I saw what happened. I got the license plate number.

John placed his fifteen thousand dollars under his

dresser. He looked at his Wheel of Fortune watch and

walked over to the television set in the corner of his one

bedroom apartment and turned it on. He went over to the

microwave oven and made himself some popcorn.

Show time, John said to no one as he sat down to

watch his favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune. This was a


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game John was good at. He was quick to solve the puzzle on

the display board before most of the show contestants could

do so. He had found his unique watch among many others at

a novelty store for only twenty dollars while on one of his

truck runs, before he got hurt on the job.

At the first commercial John went out to check his

mail. Unfortunately, there was no mail waiting for him.

He was expecting his monthly workers compensation check as

he had been running low on funds that is until he met his

sugar daddy, Jimmy Sinclair.

John went back inside his residence, failing to notice

a young man with a video camera recording his every move.

The activity caught the eye of the nosey landlord

however, who spotted the stranger and approached him in the

parking lot. I own this property. Can I help you?

quizzed Mr. Martin.

The young man put down his video camera and flashed a

gold badge with photo identification.

Im a private investigator hired by an insurance

company to document the activities and alleged injuries of

your tenant in unit thirty-three. Im telling you this

sir, because this claimant might set you up as well with a

fake slip and fall or something like that.


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How long do you plan to be out here? asked the

suspicious landlord.

The insurance company only hired me for today, so

Ill be gone in a few hours.

The private investigator named Roderick Naughton

handed the landlord his agency card. In case you ever

need a PI.

Mr. Martin took the card and went back inside his

office.

Johns telephone rang. It was the landlord on the

other end of the line. John, I like you and I want to

thank you again for helping around the complex with the

painting and repairs. At my age I couldnt have done it

all myself.

I was glad to do it Mr. Martin. We are friends and I

appreciate the fact that you give me free rent in exchange.

Well another reason I called was to warn you about a

man sitting in a gray Volvo who was filming you when you

checked your mail.

What? asked John, totally caught off guard.

Yes, I have his business card. He is from I See You

Investigations, his name is Roderick Naughton and he said

he would be here just for today. Something about an

accident.


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Yes, I am out on workers compensation from a heavy

box that fell on me a few months ago. Ill hang up now and

pay him a visit. John thanked the landlord, placed some

newspapers in a trash bag, and went outside to the dumpster

that was located at the rear of the parking lot.

On his return, John approached the young man sitting

behind tinted windows. John knocked on the window.

Roderick, I know you are in there. Roll down your

window!

The private investigator, realizing his cover had been

blown, rolled the window down about two inches.

Hand me the video tape before I break this window and

yank you out! demanded John.

The nervous PI did as instructed.

How long have you been on me?

I started a few hours ago.

Whats on the tape?

Just you riding back home on your bicycle, checking

your mail and just now dumping your trash.

If you know whats good for you, write in your report

that I was home all day and according to the landlord, I

complain of a lot of back pain.

Sir, this is my first case. Im just trying to earn

enough money to move to Hollywood. I want to be an actor.

If I were you, I would quit now before the next


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claimant beats up your pretty face. Now get out of here!

The private investigator rolled up his window, backed

out and departed the area.

John knocked on his landlords door. Thanks for

warning me about him.

Just glad I spotted him when I did.

John walked back to his own unit, threw the tape in

the trash and returned to watching reruns of Wheel of

Fortune.

The police interviewed Jimmy in the bank lobby.

Detective Mike Anderson of the Robbery Division walked in,

wearing a beige suit, and was directed to Jimmy by a

uniformed officer guarding the door.

Are you Jimmy Sinclair?

Yes.

Im Detective Mike Anderson, Robbery Division. Lets

sit down in the managers office.

The detective wrote everything down on a yellow

notepad. Can you describe what the person looked like?

All I saw was a gun in my face.

What type of gun?

A big gun. Man I was scared!

How much money did you have in the bags?

Fifteen thousand three hundred in cash and another


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four thousand in checks.

Is that a normal deposit for your grocery store?"

We make the deposit every Friday morning, and Ive

seen it as low as six thousand and as high as twenty three

thousand. We have some long time loyal customers who like

to pay in cash instead of check or credit card. My

grandparents opened the store in 1951 and I took over from

my parents just about two years ago.

A police officer walked over and handed the detective

a slip of paper. The detective read the note and then said

to Jimmy, Jimmy, we ran the license plate on the Cadillac.

It was stolen a few days ago from the airport parking lot.

The bank manager knocked on the door. May I have my

office back please?

Oh, sure Detective Anderson replied. He turned back

to Jimmy Sinclair and asked, You provided the officers

with all of your information?

Yes sir, I did.

Then youre free to go.

Detective Mike Anderson watched the robbery victim

enter his old white Honda and depart the area. The

detective turned to the branch manager. I need a copy of

your exterior video surveillance tapes as soon as possible.

The manager took the lawmans business card. This is


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our first robbery since we opened eight years ago. Ill

work on getting the tapes to you within twenty four hours.

Mike gave his thanks and walked out to his unmarked police

cruiser.

Dispatch to Unit Three One. Mike picked up the

microphone.

Unit Three One, come in.

Pick up your partner at the Seven-Eleven store on

Fifth and Main.

Unit Three One, copy. ETA about ten minutes.

Mike watched a young couple pull up in a faded green

station wagon and enter Summit Bank. They left their

German Shepard waiting with the windows halfway down. Mike

thought of his own dog, Dillinger, as he backed out of his

parking space and headed south to the Seven Eleven store.

Dillinger was a mutt he had picked up at the pound

about a year ago. His real name was Lucky, but Mike liked

the name the gangster made famous in the thirties. The

likeable animal was always quick to greet Mike when he

arrived at his apartment located above a barn on a farmers

ranch on the outskirts of Tupelo. It was a great situation

free rent just because the old farmer liked cops. Not a

bad life, thought Mike as he pulled up to a traffic light.


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Impatience replaced his relaxed demeanor when he

realized the young couple in the car in front of him was

too busy kissing to notice the light had changed to green.

He blew his horn. They looked back and waved, hurrying to

switch lanes to let the officer go by.

As Mike passed the lovebirds he thought of Amber, his

ex-fianc, living somewhere in New Mexico. They met while

he was finished his two-year degree in Police Science. She

broke it off because she didnt want to be married to a gun

and a badge. She tried desperately to talk Mike out of a

career in law enforcement but no dice. Mike ate and slept

this stuff twenty four/seven.

Mike was half of a team dubbed Laurel and Hardy by his

Captain eight months ago, when the new partner assignments

were made. Mike, at 32, had short dark hair, blue eyes,

stood six foot three and weighed in at a physically fit two

hundred and thirty pounds.

As he pulled into the parking lot of Seven Eleven, out

walked his partner, Hardy, otherwise known as Detective

Harry Fusco. The moniker Hardy was well-placed on this 53

year old who, stood five foot eight and weighed two hundred

and sixty pounds. Not surprisingly, Fusco held a large bag

of pretzels in front of his huge pot belly, as his

physically fit partner pulled up.


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Hi Stan, joked Harry as he climbed in.

Well Oliver, you disappeared on me again. We should

rename you Houdini! The two detectives departed the area

and headed toward the witnesss house.

Jimmy walked out, entered his old Honda and drove

straight to the Hideaway Bar, about a mile south of his

store. Jimmy slid into a booth already occupied by John

Farran.

That was a clever way to give me my down payment -

just fake a robbery. I dont want any paper trail at the

bank, said Jimmy, looking around the bar. How do you plan

to come up with the balance once your wife is dead?

Ill worry about that when its time. What did you

do with that stolen car you took from the airport?

I parked it back at the airport, one floor below

where I took it. How did you know I stole it from the

airport?

A witness gave the police the license plate number.

Now that you have your down payment, where and when will

you do it?

The waitress walked up and took Jimmys drink order.

When she left, John answered, Its best you dont know.

Jimmy walked into his crowded store and was greeted by


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Billy the clerk, Billys younger brother Ray, customers,

and his angry wife.

Why did you take the deposit to the bank? You know I

do that myself. Ive been taking the deposit for over

fifty weeks without a problem, and you take it just once

and we get robbed!

I could have been killed.

Yes, and if you were, I wouldnt have to spend any

more of my money on lawyers.

You mean mymoney!

Billy, dont you have shelves to stack? barked Jimmy

as he and his wife continued to argue.

Detective Anderson, and his partner, Detective Harry

Fusco, arrived at the witnesss house and rang the

doorbell. A sign reading The Friedmans hung above the

door.

Over a cup of coffee and homemade apple pie, the three

discussed the events that occurred earlier in the day.

Mrs. Friedman put her coffee cup down and said, I was

trying to dial a phone number when that white Cadillac

zoomed by me and screeched to a halt. I saw the gun being

pointed out the window so I wrote the license plate number

on my arm. The next thing I saw were two hands reaching

out of the Cadillacs window and grabbing the two moneybags


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from the victim, who was handing them out his drivers

window. Then the Cadillac drove off and I ran over to

help.

How did the victim act? quizzed Detective Fusco,

writing everything down on a small, white spiral note pad.

Very, very calm. I was the excited one. More pie

gentlemen?

No thanks. It was very good, said Detective

Anderson as his partner finished off both his and his own

plates. Could you recognize the type of orange hooded

windbreaker you mentioned earlier? asked the detective as

he put his suit jacket on.

I think so, said Sally Friedman, age 80, getting up

from her rocking chair and walking the lawmen to the door.

Once in the unmarked, beige Pontiac police car,

Detective Anderson asked, Did she say the robber reached

out with two hands?

Detective Fusco checked his notes. Yep.

Then this robbery may have been staged, replied

Detective Anderson. The robber put his gun away and

reached out with two hands for the moneybags, and our so-

called victim just handed them over. Mr. Sinclair also

told me he was scared, yet the witness told us Sinclair was

very, very calm.


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Kathy pulled her new BMW into the visitor-designated

stall. She walked toward the police station in a tight

pink top and even tighter blue jeans that nicely fit her

five foot five frame. Kathy kept her weight at one hundred

and twenty five by working out each morning to

instructional videos. Male cops exiting and entering the

station just stopped and stared at the natural born beauty.

Kathy walked up to the desk officer on duty. I have an

appointment with Detective Mike Anderson.

A burly man in plain clothes stepped forward. Ill

take the lady to Robbery Division.

Okay sir, said the desk officer, who directed his

attention to the next citizen who walked up.

Im his boss, Captain Dean Masters, announced the

lawman as he pushed the button for the elevator.

Hi, Im Kathy Sinclair. I own Buffalo Bills grocery

store. Im here to meet with a Detective Anderson.

They entered the elevator and the Captain pushed the

button for the fifth floor. As they rode up, Kathy could

feel his eyes raking her body from head to toe.

The Robbery Division went quiet as their boss and the

very attractive guest entered their section. Get back to


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work, havent you seen a lady before? barked the Captain,

motioning for Kathy to enter interview room number two.

Ill track him down for you.

Thank you Captain.

Kathy was attracted to Mike as soon as he entered the

room with his yellow note pad. Thanks for coming in Mrs.

Sinclair. I am Robbery Detective Mike Anderson.

They shook hands and smiled at each other.

I have a partner named Harry Fusco who at the moment

I cant find, so well start without him.

May I have a glass of water please?

Oh sure, Ill be right back.

Kathy wasnt thirsty at all. She just wanted to check

the ass on this hunk of a man handling her husbands case.

The detective returned with a small paper cup.

Thank you so much, Kathy smiled and drank the cool

contents. The detective sat back down. Oh I must have

been thirstier than I thought. May I have another cup

please? she asked, holding the empty cup in her hand.

Yes maam. Sorry we only have these small cups on

hand.

Its fine with me if you really dont mind making the

trips.

No, anything to help. Mike left the room again and


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Kathy watched him walk out of view. He returned and this

time waited to see if the lady needed more.

Please sit, said Kathy, satisfied for the time

being. Im not thirsty anymore!

Mike sat down and began his interview.

Mrs. Sinclair, I interviewed your husband yesterday

about his alleged robbery.

Alleged you mean it didnt happen?

No, he was removed of his money, but I think he gave

it up voluntarily. The witness said the robber had no gun

in his hand when your husband handed over the moneybags.

Mr. Sinclair told me he was scared, yet the witness made a

point of how calm he acted.

Anderson shifted gears, How long have you two been

married?"

A year next month. The day we got robbed was our

eleventh month anniversary. I make those deposits every

week for fifty weeks and nothing happens. He does it just

once and gets robbed.

How is your marriage?

We are getting a divorce. He offered me one hundred

thousand today to settle. My lawyer says it should be four

million.

During the time you two have been together has there

been any violence?


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Recently he said he would be better off if I was

gone, and he has been leaving the store for long periods of

time instead of us closing the store together. A few

months ago a customer said they saw him in a restaurant

kissing a girl. I confronted him and he didnt deny it.

We dont sleep together any more, we dont talk - we just

yell at each other.

Your husband, is he a gambler? Take drugs?

No, no, that grocery store is his life. He has a few

million in his savings account.

Then why go through all the trouble to stage a

robbery? He doesnt need the money, said Mike.

I dont know, Kathy replied. Maybe he really was

robbed.

Back in her car, Kathy called her attorney and

obtained a phone number of a private investigator. Later in

the day, she drove to a strip mall and sat in a small back

office of Economy Travel Agency.

Steve Conners, a handsome man of 45, with a ponytail

and beard, asked her to sit down.

Funny place to have a PI office, commented Kathy.

My sister owns the travel agency, and when business

is slow I work out front as an agent. Say, we have great

deals on cruises right now. . .


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Kathy laughed. No, what I need to do is find out

what my husband is up to. I think you will find him seeing

a woman. I brought a photo as instructed and your retainer

of a thousand. He closes up the store at nine tonight and

seven pm tomorrow night.

Ill try to go on him tonight if I can. Give me your

cell phone number. Steve wrote it down, took the money in

a white envelope along with the photo, and walked his

attractive client to her car.

Thanks, said Kathy as she climbed into her vehicle.

Steve handed her his travel agency card. In case he

goes though your wallet, I dont want him finding a PI

card.

Steve returned to his back office and called the

Tupelo Rainbow Convalescent Home. Hello, this is Steve

Connors calling to check on my mother, Valerie Conners in

room five.

Oh hello Steve. This is Angela Robinson. My husband

Bob and I bought a trip to Vegas from you.

Hi Angela. Did you win?

No. We lost about a grand, but we sure did have a

fun time, and the hotel you chose was in the perfect

location!

Thanks for thinking of Economy Travel. Now about my


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mother. . .

Shes doing well. Shes playing bingo right now.

What time will her next meal be served?

In about two hours.

Thanks Angela. I will be down to say hello to my

mother at that time.

Steve ran a hand through his dark wavy hair. He

called his sister, Vicki, who lived in Kansas City with an

update on their mother. Yes sis, I will give mom a big

kiss for you when I see her in a few hours.

By the way brother, book me a ticket out there

sometime next month. I can stay for a week.

Will work on that request right now. They made

small talk for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.

A couple of single, female travel agents walked over.

Hey Steve, want to join us for lunch?

Not today ladies. I brought my lunch. Thanks for

the invite.

After the women left the agency, Steve pulled out the

top drawer, which contained his favorite meal, a peanut

butter and jelly sandwich. On the computer he typed in

Kansas City and started searching for the best airfares.


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28

John Farran was a long-haul truck driver by trade and

would be gone weeks at a time. He hurt his back on his

last truck run and was now out on workers compensation.

John made less money but liked the normal life he was

leading. He didnt miss the traffic jams, the truck stop

food, the long hours or the heavy lifting. He did miss his

trucking friends and his CB radio.

As John walked in the hot July sun he thought about

how he met Jimmy Sinclair and how he joked at the bar about

doing eight years as a Green Beret, being licensed to kill

as a black belt in karate, being dropped behind enemy lines

in the last Gulf War, and killing five of the enemy. He

showed Jimmy his military photo in uniform, which was

actually his younger brother - but who could really tell in

the dark, smoky atmosphere of The Hideaway Bar?

Jimmy was throwing darts when John challenged him to a

game. Over a few beers they became friends. This was

about three weeks ago, recalled John as he entered the

Radio Shack store. John selected the top of the line CB

radio, paid cash and flagged down a taxi, since it was too

hot to walk back to his apartment.

When he arrived at the apartment, John set up his

radio. Jimmy, over a beer last week had asked John if he

wanted to earn ten thousand. He wanted his wife killed.


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29

Jokingly, John said, Sure. Ill do it for thirty thousand

cash. That was how much he needed to buy his own rig and

go into business for himself as John Farran Trucking,

whose motto would be Get It There On Time. The new rigs

were closer to one hundred thousand, but he knew a friend

that would sell his for sixty-six thousand - thirty

thousand down and payments of a thousand a month for three

years. He had a plan. He would get fifteen thousand from

Jimmy and the other fifteen thousand from Jimmys wife by

going to her with her husbands plan. Then he could skip

town and start a new life on the road.

Buffalo Bills closed at nine pm. Jimmy secured all

the doors, placed the days proceeds in the floor safe,

went out the front, activated the alarm, and locked the

door behind him. Jimmy entered his white Honda Accord

parked in the brightly lit parking lot and departed. Jimmy

didnt notice a brown Mazda van following a few hundred

yards back.

Donna, age 22, was the manager of the Moonlight

Lingerie Shop, and was in love with Jimmy Sinclair. She

met him last year when he first got married and bought

lingerie for his wife. As Jimmys marriage slowly fell

apart, Donna let it be known that she was crazy for Jimmy.


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She did love him, but it also helped that Jimmy was

wealthy.

Donna grew up poor. Her father left her mom and three

sisters when she was eight, and Donna vowed never to live

in a run down trailer again. When she turned eighteen, she

left the small town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for Tupelo

and a new life.

Donna knew Jimmy was trying to leave his wife, and he

did promise to marry her once his divorce was final. Jimmy

told Donna a few weeks ago that Kathy never loved him and

married him for his money and the large house he lived in.

Jimmy pulled up to Donnas rental house, locked his

car and rang the doorbell. Private investigator Steve

Conners took a covert video of Jimmy kissing Donna at the

door. Steve wrote in his report, lights out at midnight.

Steve set his alarm clock for five am, pulled out a

blanket, reclined his front seat, and fell asleep.

The alarm clock did its job and Steve noted on video

and in his notebook all the details. Jimmy exited the

house at seven am and went back to the store to open. Steve

traveled back to his office and ran data on the blue Toyota

Celica in the driveway. The license plate came back to a

Donna Johnson, age 22. Steve made a copy of his video for


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31

his client, and planned to follow Jimmy when he closed the

store at seven pm.

Donna walked into Jimmys store at six thirty pm and

pretended to shop. She bought a few items, gave her man

the eye, and kissed him when the only customer in the store

left.

Steve followed the lovebirds to a restaurant, to a

movie, and back to Donnas place. Just like clockwork,

Jimmy left the love nest at seven am, drove to the store,

opened it, and left once Steves client arrived to take

over.

Steve followed his subject to the Village Inn

Restaurant on Green Street. He observed Jimmy with a man

in his 30s, having breakfast.

The two stopped talking every time the waitress came

over. Jimmy left first, so Steve decided to follow the

mystery man to see who he was. Steve followed the man

riding a bicycle over to his one bedroom apartment in the

Fairground apartment complex and watched him enter

apartment 33. Steve checked the mailbox. The name listed

for that unit was John Farran. Steve checked Donnas

house, the store and other known locations of Jimmys, but

could not locate his car. Steve called his client, who

agreed to come to the travel agency.


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32

Detective Anderson received the background check on

Jimmy Sinclair. The target was clean - not even a speeding

ticket. He owned a mansion on Rutland Road worth one

million, a store with land worth another two million, and

he also had over three million cash in the bank, so why

stage a robbery?

Here Harry, read our background report. This guy is

worth millions, so why would he stage a robbery?

Detective Fusco sat down to read the report.

Lieutenant John Sparks walked in.

Hey boss. Why fake a robbery for fifteen thousand

dollars when you are worth millions? asked Detective

Anderson.

Is he married? questioned the Lieutenant.

Yep, but not in a happy relationship.

My guess, said the Lieutenant, is that he has a

girlfriend and is spending money on her and doesnt want

the wife to notice any cash withdrawal activity.

Harry you have a visitor, said the officer in

uniform. Harry looked up from reading the background check

on Jimmy Sinclair to see a smiling Mrs. Sally Friedman,

holding a freshly baked apple pie.

Here you go officer just like you requested, said


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Sally, handing the chubby one her creation.

Thank you very, very much, Harry replied, standing

up to take his gift.

I put in extra apples and cinnamon like you asked.

Someone in the room shouted, Get a knife, bring the

plates and forks.

Harry wanted the pie all for himself. He had told

Mrs. Friedman he would come over and pick it up.

Oh I know you told me you would stop by my place

after work to pick up the pie, but I was in the area so I

just thought Id drop it off, beamed the woman, with the

telltale dustings of flour on the cuffs of her sleeves.

Someone handed Harry a knife and he grudgingly had no

choice but to share his dessert with the squad.

Another officer approached the elderly lady. Can you

bake me a coconut cream pie with extra bananas on top?

Harry was not pleased that his new source of dessert was

discovered so quickly. He saved the last, and largest,

piece of pie for himself. After everyone had finished and

gone back to work, Harry escorted the lovely lady out to

the lobby.

Let me see now. I have to bake four pies and six

cakes, and I get paid eight dollars a dessert. Thats

eighty dollars! exclaimed the delighted Mrs. Friedman,

holding the empty pie dish in her left hand.


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34

See, Mrs. Friedmans bakery is now open for

business, said Harry, as he gave the woman a hug and

thanked her again for the apple pie.

Harry wandered over to the vending machine and put in

three quarters. He selected a button and out dropped a

Mars bar. Harry then walked out to the police parking

garage and retrieved his thermos from his custom made white

van.

John Farran took a cab to the Tupelo airport and went

inside. He waited a few minutes and then walked out to the

parking lot. He waited and watched all arriving cars and

the occupants of each. He followed one family of four into

the terminal and made small talk with them. They were

headed to Utah for a week of rock climbing. John walked

back out to the lot towards their Honda van, quickly

unlocked the drivers door, popped the ignition, and drove

off. Today was his lucky day. The gas gauge was full.

John drove back to his apartment, playing the familys CDs

while in route.

Kathy watched the PIs video of Jimmy with Donna, and

of Jimmy meeting a man named John Farran. She thought, if

my husband did stage the robbery he must be spending the

stolen money on her. . .


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35

Steve interrupted her thoughts with the story of how

his own wife had cheated on him many years ago, and how

hard it was to deal with. Kathy finished watching the

video of Jimmy and Donna and turned to her private

investigator.

I dont really care who he sees. I just want to know

what else he is up to.

The Honda van pulled up to Buffalo Bills grocery

store and John entered. He walked up to Jimmy.

Excuse me. . . I need bread.

Jimmy looked up from doing paperwork to see, with

surprise, his hit man looking at him with a smile on his

face.

What are you doing here? quizzed Jimmy, looking

around to see where his store clerk was. Kathy leaves at

three most days. Its six pm now.

I came for more bread, smiled John.

Bread and rolls are on aisle four, pointed Jimmy.

No, more bread! motioned John, rubbing his thumb and

forefinger together.

I gave you fifteen thousand already.

I know, but all that money is hidden. I need money

now for gas, a meal, a movie and popcorn.

Jimmy opened the register and gave John twenty


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36

dollars. He laughed as he accepted the money.

John left the store, drove over to Jimmys colonial

mansion and rang the bell. Kathy opened the door: Yes?

Kathy, you dont know me, but my name is John Farran.

Your husband staged a fake robbery over at Summit Bank and

gave me fifteen thousand dollars as a down payment.

A down payment for what?

I dont mean you any harm lady, but he hired me to

kill you in your store and to make it look like a robbery.

John showed Kathy the newspaper article on the recent rash

of robberies. Your husband gave me your shift hours too.

Im telling you all of this to protect you. I dont want

to see any harm come your way. I came up with a plan where

no one gets hurt and Jimmy goes to jail.

Kathy recognized John now from the video her PI showed

her.

Go on, tell me more.

At the Hideaway Bar I asked him Do you want her shot

in the head or torso? He said The torso.

I told him I wanted thirty thousand dollars, fifteen now

and fifteen when the job was done. I made him think I was

a professional hit man, but in reality I am just a

professional truck driver who will haul anything, anywhere,

for a price.


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37

Why would you tell my husband that youre a hit man

when youre not?

I am trying to buy a new rig for the road. It will

cost sixty-six thousand dollars and Ive got only ninety

cents, thats why. At first I thought, why not take his

fifteen thousand down and just leave town? But then I saw

your mansion, your store and then you. I realized if I

just left town he would find someone else to do the job, or

do it himself. With my plan, no one gets hurt.

Okay, so whats your plan? Kathy asked, as she waved

to a neighbor walking a small dog.

I botch attempts at killing you and leave evidence

behind that leads the police to your husband. You help by

telling the police that a man has been following you

places. Youre afraid. If we do this right, your spouse

will be arrested and convicted of attempted murder. You

pay me fifteen thousand dollars, I buy my rig, Im back on

the road and you, my lady, are a free and rich woman.

Why not go to the police and tell them whats up?

You wear a wire, get him talking, he confirms what you just

told me and they arrest him.

Because I dont get my rig, I get involved with cops

who I dont want to get involved with, and Im tied up for

months or years in court. So no, I wont just go to the

cops.


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38

Then I will, Kathy said.

No you wont, because Ill deny the whole story, your

husband will too, and then hell still hire someone to pump

you full of lead in a botched store robbery. The rest of

your life, every time a customer enters you will wonder if

its really a customer or a killer. My way is safer.

What do we do now? Kathy conceded.

Ill meet your husband soon. Hell give me

instructions and Ill call you after that. Now to make

sure you go along with my plan, youll need to give me

fifteen thousand dollars.

What? Give you more money and then you just leave

town? No, I dont think so.

I wont split town. I could be halfway to Texas

already with the fifteen thousand I already have. I dont

like your husband. I want to see him go to jail. Hes a

jerk. No, I wont split town until hes arrested.

Remember, your husband wants you dead. He told me he and

his parents have worked too hard to give you half. The

safe thing to do is get him arrested for attempted murder.

Okay, I like your scheme. Ill have my mom meet you

with cash. Ill have her take the money out of her account

so I dont leave a money trail like I see criminals do on

the FBI Files on TV.


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39

John drove back to his apartment. Kathy picked up her

house phone and called a number.

Economy Travel Agency, a woman answered.

May I speak to Steve please? Im a client.

Ill take down your number and have him call you.

Please do, and its urgent! Kathy hung up the phone

after giving the woman her house phone number.

Kathy searched her VHS tape library and popped in a

video. The FBI logo came on and a voice said true stories

of the FBI. . . The phone rang and Steve was on the other

end. What can I do for you. . . ready to take that trip?

I need to hire you to follow my husband twenty-four

hours a day for the next week.

No problem, but that will cost you eight thousand for

one PI, or fourteen thousand for two men on him.

No, just you, and you cant tell anyone about this

case.

No problem. When do you want me to start?

Tomorrow night. He closes the store at nine pm.

Okay, no problem. But I need a five thousand

retainer before I start.

All right. Ill come by your back office tomorrow

before noon.

No problem, Steve said. Ill be looking forward to


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40

seeing you again.

Me too. Good, thats out of the way. Now lets hope

my mom can help me out. After Kathy hung up from Steve she

called her mom. Kathy agreed to go over for breakfast at

eight am, before going to Buffalo Bills at nine.

Detective Anderson reviewed the exterior videotape of

the robbery outside Summit Bank. From a distance, it

showed Jimmys Honda pulling up. A few seconds later, the

white Cadillac pulled along side, but some tree branches

blocked the actual exchange of the moneybag.

Our luck, grumbled Detective Fusco, munching on some

potato chips as he hit the stop button.

Of all the places to park, he stops by the trees,

groaned Detective Anderson.

Want some chips? asked Harry.

Kathy sat at her moms breakfast table having coffee

and toast. Mom, I need you to withdraw fifteen thousand

cash from your account and meet a man this morning. Please

dont ask any questions. When its all over Ill tell you

everything. His instructions for you are to go to the

Amoco gas station on the corner of Madison and Swift, pull

up to the vacuum pumps and lift your hood. He said to be

there at eleven am.


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41

Fifteen thousand! Are you in danger? Carol asked,

with a very worried look on her face.

Yes mom, I am in danger. I need for you to give this

man the money and Ill tell you the reason later. Its

best you dont know what is going on.

Okay honey. What does this man look like and whats

his name?

His name is Max, lied Kathy. Hes about thirty-

five years old, with short, dark hair and a mustache. When

he comes over he said he would ask for a map. Just give

him the envelope, close the hood and drive away. Call me

at the store after you get home. I love you mom. . .I have

to go and open the store now. Kathy gave her mom a kiss

on the forehead, picked up her car keys and left the condo

overlooking the civil war battlefield.

John started up the stolen Honda, put in a music CD

and headed out toward the Amoco gas station. He arrived

early and parked a few hundred yards away at the Wal-Mart

parking lot. He watched from a distance as Carol pulled up

in her bright yellow PT Cruiser, lifted the hood and

waited. John approached, wearing a baseball cap and dark

sunglasses.

Good morning. Do you have a city map? he asked as

he held out his hand. Carol gave the stranger the large


44/202

42

white envelope and asked, Why is my daughter giving you

fifteen thousand dollars?

John looked inside the large envelope and viewed

stacks of fifty and one hundred-dollar bills. No

questions lady. He walked away toward the Wal-Mart

parking lot.

Kathy met Steve in front of Economy Travel. Heres

your retainer, she said as she handed the PI his money.

Good luck tonight.

Okay, no problem, Ill do my best. But remember,

its just me out there and theres always a chance I might

lose him. If he makes a traffic light and I dont thats

all it takes to mess up a good surveillance. Then well

have to start over again.

Detective Anderson picked up his partner at the Seven

Eleven store by the police station. Detective Fusco

entered the unmarked car with a large bag of barbecue

chips. Where are we going?

To the airport. They recovered the white Cadillac

used in the Sinclair case. You know Harry, youve been my

partner for eight months and youre always eating. You eat

your meals and half of mine sometimes. Dont you ever get

full?


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43

Harry looked over at his muscled, physically fit

partner and said, Twenty years ago I looked like you.

Well, Harry, in twenty years I hope I dont look like

you! They both laughed as their vehicle entered the

onramp to the interstate.

The stolen Cadillac was parked in the far corner of

the parking lot. The ID tech lifted no fingerprints but

found assorted papers in the car.

A uniformed officer approached both detectives. Tow

truck will be here in twenty minutes.

Who located the car? asked Anderson as he watched

his partner stuff more chips into his mouth.

The parking lot attendant standing over there called

it in. Her names. . . umm. . . Janet Lee. The officer

pointed at a young, attractive, Oriental female.

Detective Anderson walked over to the attendant while

his partner and the officer talked golf and shared the bag

of chips.

Hi, Im Detective Mike Anderson, Robbery Division,

putting his hand out for Janet to shake.

Hello, Im Janet Lee, Miss Janet Lee, repeated the

pretty young woman, stressing the word Miss when she

spoke.


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44

What drew your attention to the car?

A motorist complained that the Cadillac was parked

too close to her car and she had a hard time getting out.

I came over to see for myself and noticed the ignition was

broken off. The police operator told me it was stolen and

to keep an eye on it until she could get a marked unit

over.

Do you have security cameras in this area?

questioned Mike.

Only on the way out, to record the toll ticket

transactions.

When do you show the car arriving here?

Let me see. . . oh yes, here it is . . .on Tuesday

afternoon, Janet offered, looking at papers on a clipboard

in her hands.

The police department said it was reported stolen on

Wednesday night when the owner returned early from a

business trip to Chicago. Can you get me the videotapes

for Tuesday and Wednesday and have them dropped off at the

station? Here is my card. Detective Anderson handed

Janet his card.

Sure, I can do that right away, Janet said as she

took the business card, touching his hand as she did so.

We can even watch the videos at my place Mike. I live

alone.


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45

Nothing like a subtle woman, smiled Mike to himself.

He took out another card, wrote his cell phone number on

the back and handed it to Janet.

Its a date then Janet. Call me when you have the

tapes. Ill bring over pizza and well review them.

Janet eagerly took his card, put it in her pocket and

ran back to her managers office. Mike watched Janet run

and liked what he saw. He turned around and went back to

his partner, still talking sports and eating chips.

Back inside her office, Janet looked out the window

and watched Detective Anderson walk over to his partner and

the police officer. One fine man. . . thought Janet as she

filled in the video tape request form.

Janet was only twenty-two when she arrived in Los

Angeles from Hong Kong. Her brother Stephen invited her to

work in his Chinese Buffet restaurant, where she met Diane,

who became her fast friend and roommate. For several

months the girls had a great time browsing the beaches in

search of the perfect man before Diane had the inspiration

to expand their quest by traveling the United States.

After driving through many states without seeing much more

than endless cornfields and the occasional tractor, they

made a fateful stop in Tupelo, where Diane met a ruggedly

handsome carpenter and decided to change roommates.


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46

Janet, somewhat disappointed by the turn of events,

decided to rent a small apartment a few blocks away, in

anticipation of a break-up. Man hunting alone just wasnt

as much fun. Running short on funds, she interviewed and

was hired to work at the Tupelo airport. Being an

attractive gal, Janet always had a lot of men hitting on

her, but they were only interested in one thing. She was

impetuous and hopelessly romantic, but only wanted to fall

in love and settle down like Diane had.

Glancing up after completing the form, Janet observed

Detective Anderson. Now hes a good candidate. . . Janet

watched the detectives enter their police vehicle and

depart the area.

At the crime lab, a few prints were found on the

papers left in the stolen Cadillac. Detective Anderson

went through the evidence and came across a Wal-Mart

receipt for a windbreaker with a date and time of less than

twenty four hours prior to the Sinclair robbery. The

detective made a copy of the receipt and went searching for

his partner. When he couldnt find him, he drove over to

Wal-Mart alone. He met with the manager and showed him the

receipt. The manager introduced him to the two clerks who

might have sold the orange windbreaker.

After a brief interview with the clerks, Detective


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47

Anderson went back to the store manager, who located the

VHS tapes for the date of purchase. The detective spent

over an hour looking at the grainy tapes. One tape showed

a white Cadillac parked in the lot. The man exiting the

vehicle appeared to be in his thirties, had a mustache, and

short, dark hair. A second video showed the same white

male in the sporting goods section of the store at about

the time the orange windbreaker was purchased. He ordered

copies of the footage and instructed the manager to drop

them off at the station. Detective Anderson made a note of

the description and also told the store manager that the

two elderly clerks were of no help. They saw too many

customers a day to remember anything of use.

Detective Anderson caught a glimpse of his partner

through the front window of the Subway sandwich shop in a

strip mall, about two miles from the police station.

How did you get here? demanded Anderson.

I had a marked car drop me off.

Who did you meet here?

No one. This store had a two for the price of one

special I saw in this mornings newspaper, so I clipped the

ad. I hitched a ride and came here.

Harry, sighed the exasperated detective, I couldnt

locate you at the station so I went to the Wal-Mart by


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48

myself, because a receipt for the windbreaker was found in

the stolen car. The manager identified it as an orange

windbreaker with a hood. I looked at videotapes and found

a white male driving a Cadillac at about the time of the

purchase. I think it may be our bank robbery suspect. He

continued, Hes in his mid thirties, five foot ten with

short dark hair, a mustache and maybe one hundred eighty

pounds. The manager will bring the tapes over when theyre

copied for us to review again. Anderson pulled into

traffic as his partner started on his second ham and cheese

sandwich.

Donna answered her doorbell. There stood her man with

flowers and a big smile. She kissed Jimmy in the doorway

and let him in. PI Steve videoed the whole thing. Donna

had dinner ready. She knew meatloaf was her lovers

favorite. They talked while they ate.

So when do you file the divorce papers? Donna asked

excitedly.

I went to see Kathys lawyer last Friday morning. I

tried to work out a quick settlement, but no dice. She

wants fifty-fifty right down the middle. Hell, weve been

married eleven months, sleeping in separate beds five of

those eleven, and she wants half of my fortune. . .half of

what my grandparents, parents and I have worked so very


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hard for. No way in hell will I end up giving her half.

Ten percent maybe, but not half, emphasized Jimmy.

What did you see in her anyway? Donna asked, pouring

more red wine into their glasses.

I saw long legs and heard a sweet voice. You know, I

worked day and night for months running that store, and

never had a social life. She came in one day, said hello

and it was love at first sight for me. She started helping

me stock shelves, sweep, and waited for me to close up so

we could go out after. He continued, Kathy seemed to

like me for me, and not my money. We never went to

expensive restaurants and she wouldnt let me buy her

anything, nothing not jewelry, clothes, nothing. We got

married and bam! She buys expensive clothes and jewelry,

trades her old Ford Taurus in for a new, top of the line

BMW convertible, and redecorates the mansion. I feel I was

set up. What an idiot I was. . .

Poor baby, I would neverdo that to you, sympathized

Donna. She spent the next several hours conveying to Jimmy

through her words and actions just what he couldexpect

from her. . .

Steve called Kathy and gave his client an update on

Jimmys movements.

Good, stay with him, Kathy urged. I need to know


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50

how involved he is with her.

No problem, Steve replied in his laid-back style.

Steve waited for the lights to finally go out, and set

his alarm clock for five am. Theyve been up half the

night. . . I dont need to worry about getting too early of

a start, surmised the confident investigator. Reclining

his Mazda van seat all the way back, he pulled out his

pillow and fell asleep.

The alarm rang loudly and Steve sat up to find Jimmys

white Honda missing from the driveway. Steve drove to his

clients home, but the Honda wasnt there. He searched the

Buffalo Bills parking lot and drove around town to Jimmys

usual hangouts, but the subject and his Honda could not be

located.

Steve sighed and thought Ill pick him up later. In

the meantime, he drove over to Wal-Mart to buy more

surveillance tapes. He exited his car and walked inside

the store to find Jimmy Sinclair and Donna Johnson at the

check-out counter, who were on their way out with an

unknown purchase.

Steve followed them back to Donnas home and videoed

them entering the residence. Steve crossed out his earlier

notes of the subject not at residence at five am, and


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51

wrote instead, subject and girlfriend depart in Honda for

Wal-Mart. They shop and return to residence at six am.

Good, now I dont have to explain to Kathy how I lost her

husband. . . Now relaxed, Steve opened his thermos and

poured himself some coffee.

Kathy pulled up to the restaurant alone and entered.

The hostess said, Good morning. Welcome to IHOP. How

many in your party?

Two.

Okay. This way please.

Kathy sat in a corner booth overlooking the parking

lot. She witnessed John Farran pull up in a beige Honda

minivan. He slid in across from her. Nice day for a hit,

huh?

Kathy laughed when he said it. Your van does it

ride nice?

Its not my van. I stole it from the airport. I own

a bicycle, but yeah, it rides nice.

Driving a stolen vehicle. Arent you worried about

the cops?

Nope, I stole it from a family on a weeks vacation,

so unless they come back early and report it stolen, Ill

have it back before their return.

Why steal a car? Why not just buy your own?


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52

I told you, Im saving for my own rig, and if Im

going to attempt to kill you, I dont want any vehicle

traced back to me. This way I can steal and dump anytime I

want.

After ordering their meal, Kathy said, This is the

last time we meet. You have your down payment, I have your

cell phone number, so Ill call you. Here is my schedule

at the store. You can always reach me there. Jimmy opens

and closes the store each day now. I am there from ten am

to three pm every day.

John ate his pancakes, listening to Kathy go on about

her schedule. He nodded his head every so often.

Do you want your pancakes? John asked, eyeing the

three buttermilk pancakes sitting on a plate.

No, responded Kathy impatiently, eat them all if you

want as she continued talking.

In between bites John explained the less she knew the

better. This way she looked convincing when interviewed by

the cops.

After your husband is arrested I expect to get paid a

five thousand dollar bonus, for sticking around instead of

leaving town with your money.

It will be worth paying you the money just to see him

behind bars. Ill put the money in a locker at the airport

and call you as to where the key will be. This way we


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dont have to meet in person. I cant take the chance of

being seen with you anymore.

Kathy kept her sunglasses on the entire time, but

removed her red wig only after she left the pancake house

parking lot in the rental car she rented that morning.

Kathy loved watching police and detective shows, and always

made mental notes on how criminals operated. No way was

this scheme going to backfire in her face.

For fun, John followed Kathy from a distance and

watched her remove the red wig and rearrange her long, dark

hair at a traffic light. He laughed as she got back in her

own car at Rent-a-Wreck and drove off. One cautious woman,

I like that, John thought, as he made a u-turn in the

middle of the road and headed back to his apartment.

Sirens blared and multi-colored lights flashed behind

John as he drove down Main Street after making the illegal

turn.

Damn! John thought as he pulled over. The cop saw me

make that turn.

The heavy-set, older officer exited his patrol car and

walked up to the drivers side of the Honda van.

John, hiding his face, gunned the engine and took off.

He watched the chubby cop dash back to his patrol car.


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54

John quickly turned into a residential neighborhood, made

rights and lefts on different streets, saw an open, empty

garage, pulled the van inside, and closed the garage door.

He waited a few seconds before slipping out the side door

of the garage and calmly walking down the street.

Sir, have you seen a beige Honda van speed past

here? asked the baby face rookie officer behind the wheel,

with blue lights flashing.

Yes officer, I did. A white male turned right at the

corner just a minute ago.

You live here? The officer pointed at the house

where the van was hidden.

Yes, why?

If we dont catch the guy, Ill be back to take down

your info for the report. The officer took off and turned

right at the corner. John calmly walked out of the

neighborhood and caught the city bus coming down the street.

The same young rookie officer, Danny Hanagan, was red-

faced as he spoke to the homeowner, who called the police

to report a strange beige van in her garage. He stood

there in her driveway, knowing now the stranger he talked

to twenty minutes earlier was his auto thief. The van

wasnt reported stolen, but with the ignition popped out

and the thief running from the cops, there wasnt much room


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for doubt.

An officer knocked on the front door of Robert

Wheelers residence at 2446 Charing Cross Drive. A

neighbor came out of her house and told the officer the

family was on vacation in Utah and would be back in a few

days. The neighbor also confirmed that they drove their

Honda van to the airport.

The information was relayed to Hanagan, who was making

out the recovered vehicle report in the Big Oaks

neighborhood. Detective Anderson put a call into the

airport police and inquired as to how many vehicles stolen

from their airport were recovered again back at the

airport. A quick check found two vehicles in thirty days.

All had their ignitions popped out, all had Burger King,

McDonalds and other drive-up food wrappers on the

floorboards, and all were found in another section of the

airport parking lot. They all belonged to people taking

extended trips out of town.

Detective Anderson, sitting at his desk, asked for a

detailed report to be sent to him as soon as possible. He

hung up the phone, turned to his partner and informed him

of his findings. He then put a call into Janet Lees

office at the airport lot. She was out doing her rounds

and would call him back, assured the man on the other end


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of the phone line. Anderson went down the hall to the

vending machine and brought back a Mars Bar.

His phone rang as he took a bite. It was the Auto

Theft Bureau informing him of the chase earlier in the day,

when the owners vehicle was recovered in a strangers

garage.

What does that have to do with Robbery Division?

asked Anderson to the detective on the other end of the

line.

There may be a connection between cars missing from

our airport and your bank robbery. The owners left it at

the airport. We found the parking ticket above the visor.

We also found McDonalds food wrappers. Your man Hanagan

said the man on the street was about thirty-five years old

with dark, short hair and a mustache.

Ill be right over, said Anderson as he took the

last bit of the candy bar and left the empty wrapper on his

partners desk, who again, not surprisingly, was nowhere to

be found.

Jimmy left Donnas house and drove to his store.

Kathy was assisting several customers as he walked in. She

nodded at him as he tensely entered, but didnt say a word.

All the local customers knew of the upcoming divorce. They

could see it in both of their faces. Ten months ago they


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were two lovebirds and now they were like two wild dogs

fighting over a bone, always barking at each other.

Jimmy went right to the back office, where he found

Billy on the phone.

I hired you to work Billy, not sit on your ass in my

chair, in my office, using my phone and on my time,

sputtered the agitated store owner.

Sorry sir, Billy gulped. He said a speedy goodbye

to whomever was on the other end, picked up the broom and

dustpan and made fast tracks toward the front of the store.

Steve parked across the street and waited. He saw

Kathys BMW in the lot, so he knew both she and Jimmy were

inside. Steve pulled out the crossword puzzle section and

started working on it.

Billy swept the front sidewalk.

Janet Lee dialed the Robbery Division and waited for

Detective Anderson to pick up. She got his voicemail.

After listening to all of the instructions she left a

friendly greeting, Hello Mike, this is Janet. I got your

message to call. My home phone is (662) 555-5555. Its

now two pm. I get off at three and will be home after

that. The VHS tapes are ready. Ill pick them up on my

way home. Looking forward to seeing you again.


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At the Auto Theft Bureau, a map of the airport was

taped to the wall that showed the parking lots with

assorted color tipped pins. The red pins are the cars

stolen over a three month period and the blue pins are the

same red pins that were recovered back at the airport.

Normally when a car is stolen, either we never recover it

or its found somewhere else in the city or state. Now

Mike, to have two pins here where the cars were brought

back. . . very unusual, mused Detective Joe Honeycutt, a

middle-aged father of three.

I have someone from the airport parking lot picking

up the videos that cover a period of time to see if we can

put a face to the person doing this, Mike offered, not

wanting to mention Janets name. Now Joe, when the victim

of the Honda van arrives back in town, let me interview

him. Ill send you a report for your file, instructed

Mike.

Thats fine with me. My desk has too many files as

it is, pointed Joe to his desk scattered with files,

papers and other items.

Why do you think he or she returned the car back to

the airport? asked Mike.

My guess is either they think they wouldnt be found

for a while, or the perp planned to steal another one right


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after dumping the last one.

*

2. Robbery

Kathy watched her husband leave the store without

saying a word. She immediately went to the back door of

the store and unlocked it. Billy was busy stocking shelves

and didnt notice Kathy go to the back room. She went back

to the cashiers stand location by the front door to help

an old lady check out.


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Farran looked at his Wheel of Fortune watch and then

walked a few blocks from the bus stop to the rear of

Buffalo Bills grocery. The door was unlocked. He stepped

inside the storage area, full of boxes, and peeked out of

the little glass pane in the swinging door that led to the

interior of the store. Farran saw Kathy and an elderly

woman, and no one else. He knew there was a stock boy, but

didnt see him around. He waited a few minutes just to be

sure, slipped on his black leather gloves, put on a green

baseball cap and sunglasses, and walked toward Kathy and

the elderly woman.

Dont anyone move or do anything stupid, commanded

Farran, holding a real 38 revolver, which was planted

earlier by Kathy in the stockroom, along with the cap and

sunglasses, from where Farran retrieved them before putting

on his gloves.

The old woman turned and screamed and ran out the

door, still screaming. Kathy opened the register and

started taking out money, dropping some bills to the floor

to make it appear she was nervous.

Billy peeked around the corner and saw Farran with the

gun. Billy, being a star pitcher on the University of

Mississippi baseball team, picked up a large can of baked

beans and threw the can about twenty feet, hitting Farran


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on the left shoulder. Farran turned in the clerks

direction and ducked in time to miss a second can of baked

beans from finding its target. The would-be assassin fired

a shot toward the brave but foolish young man, making sure

to aim high and to the right. The sound of the gun going

off made Farran jump, and the clerk ducked and ran out the

back door.

Kathy, according to plan, ran out the front door as

Farran put two rounds into the wall behind the cash

register, a distance of about ten feet. He grabbed the

large bills and ran out the back door and into the alley,

dropping his green ball cap. Farran removed the paper bag

he had folded in his back pocket, and very calmly turned

the corner, putting the gun and gloves inside the bag.

Farran walked about a block and a half and caught the

city bus toward his apartment. On the bus, he could hear

sirens wailing in the distance. Glad the transit system

sticks to the posted schedule. . .

As he leaned back in his seat, the would-be hit man

reviewed the days events. The original plan called for

Farran to wait in the unlocked stockroom for Kathy to tell

Billy to get something from the back room. Then Farran

would tie Billy up, come to the front of the store, steal

the money, and have Kathy break free as Farran led her to

the back storage room. Farran would then shoot some rounds


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off and run out the back, while Kathy would play the

terrified victim when the cops arrived. Farran liked the

plan, but got nervous holding the gun in his hand while

standing in the back storage room, and out of nervousness

just couldnt wait for Billy. Almost without a hitch, he

thought.

The cops set up a perimeter, searched the entire

store, and canvassed the area, looking for any witnesses

that might be hanging around. A television crew from

Channel 6 arrived to cover the scene, and the male reporter

was asking Billy questions.

So you threw two cans at the armed robber?

Yes. . . yes sir, stammered the nervous celebrity.

I hit him with a can of Heinz barbeque beans in the left

shoulder, but I was aiming for his head. The second can of

beans would have been in the strike zone, but he ducked.

Then he fired at me and I got the hell out of there.

Someone handed Billy a can of Heinz beans and he smiled as

he held the can up for the camera.

Kathy stood outside her store and used the time to

call people. Mom, the store got robbed. Turn on Channel

6. Theyre out here covering the store. Dont worry...Im

all right...will call you back...go turn on the TV and

record it for me. Okay, love you mom.


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Kathy called Detective Andersons office.

Yes, Mrs. Sinclair, Ill get him the message, said

the clerk in the Robbery Division.

Jimmy was at Donnas store. He heard the sirens and

saw police cars zoom past, but didnt pay any attention to

the direction, as he was too busy watching Donna try on

negligees.

I like the color, but its not transparent enough,

Jimmy said as Donna modeled the new garments that just

arrived. Jimmy watched Donna try on more sexy numbers as

they made small talk. I really think Kathys going to

file the divorce papers on me this week.

Why do you think that?

Because yesterday afternoon she smiled for no reason

and said nice day to be single.

Do you want to move in with me and my two cats?

asked the ever-eager Donna, moving closer to Jimmy as he

sat in a chair by the changing room mirrors.

I think its best I stay at my house and try to get

Kathy to move out. I know we are headed for divorce, but I

just dont want to file first, because there has never been

a divorce in the whole history of my family. It will look

better if she files.


66/202


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65

The Road Again written in white on the front, blue jeans

and cowboy boots, and a Wheel of Fortune watch on his right

arm, Anderson confirmed.

Correct, Kathy said. I did good, right detective?

she continued, exhibiting a warm smile for the hot looking

hunk of a man standing in front of her wearing a two-piece

blue suit.

Well, Im not used to this much detail to be honest.

I normally get all I saw was a big gun sticking in my

face. Not too many people are as observant as you Mrs.

Sinclair.

Please call me Kathy.

Okay Kathy. You did very good considering you had a

gun thrust in your face.

Well, I love cop shows. My favorite is the FBI

Files. I tape most of them to watch again when Im alone,

which these days is often. Plus, working in a store you

have to be alert for shoplifters, panhandlers, salesmen, -

all kinds of things going on.

Detective Anderson handed his notebook to a uniformed

cop and instructed him to broadcast the description over

the air and to let the TV reporter from Channel 6 release

the information to the public as well, focusing on the

green T-shirt with the logo written on the front and the


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Wheel of Fortune watch. These are the best leads going,

thought Anderson as he drank his coffee and listened to

Kathy Sinclair talk about one of the FBI cases she recently

watched.

An ID technician approached Detective Anderson and

showed him the green baseball cap in a plastic bag. This

was found in the alley.

Kathy interrupted the tech, That looks like the cap

the robber wore, and oh my God, my husband has a cap just

like that!

Jimmy Sinclair parked his Honda in the parking lot and

approached a uniformed officer. Why all the cop cars?

This store was robbed a couple of hours ago.

Robbed? By who? Im the owner.

Then go inside and see Detective Anderson in the blue

suit.

Jimmy walked in and noticed Kathy talking to Anderson

by the coffee stand. Everything okay? Jimmy asked Kathy

with feigned concern.

Yeah, like you really care. Kathy rolled her eyes

and walked away from the two men.

What happened here in my store? questioned Jimmy.

Sir, you had an armed robbery. The perp fired shots

at your wife and stock clerk, but no one was hurt. He got


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away with about four hundred dollars and ran out the back.

This store has been in my family for many years and

this is our first serious crime. Weve had vandalism, an

attempted break-in and shoplifters, but never any violence!

Tell me something Mr. Sinclair. Your wife said the

back door was unlocked. She remembered locking it earlier

in the day after dumping some boxes, and the stock clerk

said he never went out back today. Do you recall unlocking

it?

Me? No, why would I?

Your wife told me the robber had to have come from

the back storage room because she was at the register by

the front door all day. How would the robber know to come

in the back door if its always locked?

Beats me, Jimmy responded.

Your wife said you never warned her about the three

store robberies that made the paper that you were reading

at her attorneys office. Why not? quizzed Anderson

I thought I did. Do you have a description?

White male, in his thirties, about one hundred

eighty pounds, mustache and was wearing a green T-shirt

with On The Road Again printed on the front, a Wheel of

Fortune watch, blue jeans and cowboy boots.

Wow, thats a pretty detailed description, Jimmy

said.


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Your wife provided it.

Kathy did? She usually has a lousy memory. She

cant even remember to turn off the stove.

Well, all I can say is that some people under duress,

like you for instance, remember I only saw a big gun in my

face. One more thing, where were you when the sto

the scheme (complete version)[1]

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