Gnosis

who was Johnny Richards? Why did he kill those two boys in 1982? What was his connection to Eli Whitehouse? How did he get the murder weapon out of Eli’s safe? What was the leverage he wielded that was powerful enough to convince Eli to willingly accept a lifetime prison sentence?

Those questions came at Dantzler faster than a blistering 130-mile-an-hour serve. The answers, he knew, wouldn’t come so fast. They seldom did. But it didn’t matter to him now. Eventually the answers would be known by him, by Eli, by everyone.

The light of truth always prevails.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

“Man, I can’t believe I missed something so important,” Eric said, shaking his head. “It was right in front of me the entire time and I blew it.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Eric,” Dantzler answered. “Remember, I’m the one who said we should concentrate solely on males. Also, the file was on my desk for a full week before I decided to take a look. If anyone is at fault, it’s me.”

Dantzler and Eric were sitting across from each other at the War Room table. Milt was at the head of the table, and Captain Bird was standing by the coffee pot. Still a few minutes before nine, yet all four had been at the office for almost two hours. The energy in the room was electric.

“I gotta tell you, Ace,” Milt said, pointing at his copy of the obit notice. “I never detected anything hinky or suspicious about Richards when we met with him. From where I was sitting, he came across as sincere and genuine. If he is our guy, he’s one cool and confident dude.”

“He’s a pro, Milt,” Dantzler said. “Guys like him don’t rattle. He knew exactly how to play us, and he did it with the ease of a smooth, polished actor. I doubt Sean Penn or Russell Crowe could have been more convincing.”

“And you’re sure he’s our guy?” Milt said.

“One-hundred percent.”

Bird stepped forward and moved to the table. “Look, Jack, I’m not arguing with you on this, but let me play devil’s advocate for a few seconds.” He turned a chair around and sat, locking his arms around the back. “There are a lot of questions to be answered before you can nail Richards. First among them-how did he manage to get Eli’s pistol out of the safe? If you can’t answer that one, your entire case against Richards turns to shit.”

“I don’t know how he did it, Rich; I only know he did. Just like I don’t know why he killed those two kids in ’eighty-two, but he did. I also don’t know what he has on Eli that would persuade the old man to spend his life in prison, but he has something. You don’t have to play devil’s advocate, Rich. I know there are plenty of unanswered questions. It’s up to us to answer them.

“But it’s all there,” Dantzler continued. “Richards was living in Lexington at the time of the first killings. The Colt Rogers connection. The wife named Mary Magdalene. Everything fits.”

“It’s not all there, Jack,” Bird countered. “To get the gun, Richards had to know the combination to the safe. If he didn’t have the combination, it means someone from inside the Whitehouse family was helping him. That opens a whole new can of worms. And the fingerprints-you seem to be overlooking the fact they were Eli’s. If Richards was the shooter, why were Eli’s prints get on the gun? What about Devon Fraley? How does she fit into all this? Why would Richards kill her? It’s one thing for you to keep saying you know these things, Jack, but you’re a long way from proving any of it.”

“Damn, Rich, you’ve become more cynical than Milt?”

“Hey, leave me out of this,” Milt said, laughing.

“I’m not cynical, Jack,” Bird said, walking to the door. “I’m just not as quick to hop on board as you seem to be.”

After Bird left the War Room, Eric stood, and said, “He’s right, you know. We have a boat load of questions we have to find answers for before we can go after Richards. And right now, we have next to nothing. Let’s hope Laurie’s research comes up with some interesting finds. If she doesn’t, we’re screwed.”

“What data bases is she checking?” Milt asked.

“All of them,” Dantzler said. “She told me she should be done by noon. Let’s meet here again at one- thirty.”

“See you then,” Eric and Milt said in unison.

*****

Back at his desk, Dantzler phoned the state capital in Frankfort, identified himself to the operator, and asked to speak with Kirk Foster. He was immediately put through to Kirk’s office.

“If you are calling to set up another tennis match you’re wasting your time,” Kirk said, laughing. “I learned my lesson the first time around. I’m no glutton for punishment.”

“Relax,” Dantzler said. “I’m not looking for a rematch.”

“Then what can I do for you, Detective Dantzler?” Kirk asked.

“I need to ask a few questions regarding Eli’s finances.”

“What makes you think I know about Eli’s finances?”

“When I met with Eli, he told me you are in charge of his business affairs.”

Kirk was silent.

“Eli also made it clear that none of his children are aware of this,” Dantzler continued. “That doesn’t have to change. There is no reason for them to know we talked.”

“What is it you want to know, exactly?”

“How will Eli’s estate be divided after he’s gone?”

“Evenly. Each sibling gets one-third of everything. Straight down the line.”

“What do you estimate his net worth to be?”

“Including everything-land, physical properties, stocks-it’s close to ten million.”

“I assume you are executor of the estate.”

“Yes, I am.” Kirk said. “But all decisions regarding the sale of land and/or properties, or the disbursement of money, will be made by the three children. It is Eli’s wish, and this is clearly stated in his will, that all decisions are to be based on a majority rules basis. In the unlikely event a clear decision cannot be reached, I have the authority to cast the deciding vote.”

“How big a stock portfolio are we talking about?”

“Not big at all. But extremely successful, despite taking some severe hits and suffering substantial setbacks during the past couple of years.”

“How does a man behind bars for twenty-nine years invest in the stock market?”

“He doesn’t-his son-in-law does. But always with Eli’s blessings.”

“At any time has Eli directed you to give money to any of his children?”

“Never. He couldn’t do that and keep them in the dark about me being executor of his estate.”

“Did he ever direct you to give money to Colt Rogers?”

Kirk snorted. “Are you kidding? Eli detested Rogers. Thought he was a low-life criminal. He would never have given Colt Rogers a penny.”

“What about Johnny Richards?”

“What about him?”

“Did Eli give him money?”

“Eli gave no money to anyone, Detective Dantzler. That won’t happen until after his death. Why are you inquiring about Eli’s finances?”

“Some new developments have come to light and I’m trying to get a handle on them.”

“In the world of politics, that’s known as a non-response response.”

“Unfortunately, at the present time, it’s the only response I can give. But I can tell you a serious suspect has emerged, one we are very interested in. For obvious reasons, I can’t give you a name. The investigation is in the early stages, and it could easily blow up in our faces, so I would also ask you to keep this information to