victim’s wife, and Jude Schwarz, her sister, and from the holo. A secure copy of the holo was made immediately. It was discovered by bonded detectives from San Francisco Investigations.
“The third witness, Annabelle Pearson, Murdock’s secretary, refused to answer any questions.”
My attention was again riveted to Martin Li. I was vaguely aware that Wainwright sat stock still, like a gray stone god, only his eyes moving as Li walked.
“Both witnesses agreed that no one had been near the computer recording the holo, a fact borne out by the holo itself. Between the murder and the time the detectives entered the apartment twelve minutes later, none of the three women or the medics went anywhere near the computer. There was no one else in the apartment at the time: the maid and the butler who served dinner had already gone home.”
Wainwright made a cryptic note with his pencil, the first time he’d moved since Li began to speak.
“Bonded computer experts testified that the only access to the holo files was through the terminal in the living room, and the terminal in Ackerman’s study which could only be entered from the living room.
“Since there can be no question of the veracity of the holographic file of the murder that we have presented in evidence, it is clear that Gerald Murdock is guilty of the murder of Randolph Ackerman beyond a shadow of doubt.”
Li stopped pacing for a moment and let silence hang over the room.
“We have prepared significant excerpts from the holos and depositions that show these facts. Would you care to review them, sir?”
“No need,” said Wainwright. “However, please show me evidence that supports your contention that no one went near the computer terminals.”
“Certainly sir.” Turning to one of his assistants, he continued, “Blair, can you bring up the holo at the time of the murder.”
“Alleged murder please, Mr. Li. Murder—or otherwise—has yet to be determined.”
“Of course, sir.”
The holo shimmered and then solidified on top of the table. Murdock was frozen with his hand reaching into his jacket. Ackerman stood naked in the center of the room, his face bright red, his mouth open in the middle of a scream. The three women lay on the sofa or the floor in different states of undress.
Li walked around the table to stand behind his assistant. He spoke softly and the scene revolved. After a moment, a door and a terminal were highlighted.
“This is the computer terminal in the living room,” he said, and leaned over the table putting his hand inside the holo to point at the keyboard. “And this—” he pointed at the highlighted door “—is the only entrance into the study, with the only other terminal that could access these files.”
At a gesture from Li, another of his assistants passed two files to Wainwright. “These files show the layout of the computers, and which terminal could access which file type, kind and level of security,” said Li, “and the layout of Ackerman’s penthouse apartment.”
“Thank you,” said Wainwright, making another note. “Continue,” he said, looking at Li.
Li said a few more quiet words to his assistant, and stepped back.
“We’ll hold the holo on the door and the keyboard and fast forward it to the moment the secure copy
was made.” As he spoke Murdock sprang to life and for the second time today I saw a man die. This one didn’t affect me nearly as much. I’d seen it before, and knew it was coming.
I felt like laughing at the way Murdock dressed and disappeared in a flurry of clothing and as the three almost-naked women seemed to run every which way across the room. A team of medics appeared and suddenly the room seemed to overflow with armed men. As one of them looked into the study the picture slowed back to normal speed.
“As you can see, this is the first time anyone has been near the keyboard or the door,” Li said.
Sam Renkin, one of our investigators, sat down at the keyboard. A moment later he said, “Hey, this thing is recording something.”
Li signaled his assistant and the holo stopped. “From this moment on,” he said, “this man, Sam Renkin, a bonded detective from San Francisco Investigations never left the keyboard until a secure copy of the files on the computer was made.
“One other point. These files could be accessed by voice, but only by Ackerman’s voice. The computer would respond to Mrs. Ackerman’s voice for other commands. Otherwise, only with a password that Mrs. Ackerman said she did not know. Indeed, when Mr. Renkin asked her if she’d known that the computer was recording everything, she went into shock and had to be treated by the medics.”
Turning to Wainwright he asked, “Do you have any other questions, sir?”
With a slight shake of his head, Wainwright indicated that Li should continue. As the holo shimmered and disappeared Wainwright ceased being a faint shadow behind Sam Renkin’s face.
“In our brief, we outlined the substantial circumstantial evidence that strongly suggests Murdock had murder in mind when he arrived for dinner.
“But the facts are clear. At 11:07 last Saturday evening, Gerald Murdock shot and killed Randolph Ackerman. There can be no doubt that Murdock is guilty of murder. For that reason, whether he killed Murdock in a fit of anger or, as we submit, as part of a long-standing plan makes absolutely no difference to the penalty we seek.
“Gerald Murdock is guilty.”
Li took a sheet of paper from his place at the table and passed it to Wainwright.
“Murdock is guilty of murder beyond a shadow of doubt. The high probability that the murder was premeditated merely adds weight to our claim that Murdock pay the highest penalty the law allows.
“And it’s to that penalty I’d now like to turn.”
“We submit that Murdock be required to pay to All-Risk Insurance the sum of 125,115 gold ounces, plus all costs, with interest.”
The amount Li asked for drew a low whistle of astonishment from several spectators, including me. People started whispering to each other until Wainwright’s sharp “Quiet, please,” brought silence back to the room.
“Continue.”
“Certainly, sir,” said Li. “If he fails to pay the penalty, ownership of all property identified as belonging to him be transferred to All-Risk Insurance in full or partial settlement of the penalty. And as he has disappeared entirely and has no known legal identity, we ask that Gerald Murdock be declared a renegade and outlaw until such time as the penalty is paid in full.”
Now I understood why they’d rushed to have this case adjudicated. They’d be able to take ownership of Murdock’s companies. GMR Holdings was the only one left, but if they could grab it before Annabelle Pearson closed it down completely they’d have a chance of being able to trace the money and, with it, Murdock.
Correction:
“As we all know, and as Murdock must also know, the penalty for murder is restitution to the heirs of the victim for the value of the life taken, and restitution of any other damages directly attributable to the death.
“Ackerman’s life was insured by All-Risk for the sum of fifteen thousand gold ounces. We seek reimbursement of that amount.
“In addition, Ackerman’s policy with All-Risk includes coverage of violent death, such as murder.
“Because of this provision, All-Risk had complete access to Ackerman’s financial records and routinely updated this risk. The calculation of the value of Ackerman’s life, based on the present value of his estimated future earning power, totals 110,115 gold ounces. This amount is exhaustively documented in the brief, using standard Insurance Association scales.”
That was a big number, even for someone as wealthy as Ackerman. It’s a number you could easily lowball. That was one of the things I liked about All-Risk: they never stiffed their customers.
And how do you figure someone’s
“The penalty we seek includes reimbursement of the fifteen thousand gold ounces in life insurance cover that All-Risk has already paid to Ackerman’s widow, Sophia Ackerman, and the sum of 110,115 gold ounces that would become immediately due and payable by All-Risk Insurance.
