Jay Waitkus

Excerpted from Tainted Monarch by Jay Waitkus

Chapter 1

JENNY McComb peered around the doorway into her boss' office. She looked a little concerned.

"Mr. Smythe, there's a man here to see you."

"Who is it, Jenny?"

"A detective," she replied.

"Show him in."

"Nolan Sand," the visitor said, as he approached Dieter's desk. Jenny left the office and shut the door behind her.

"Dieter Smythe. What can I do for you?"

"I'm afraid I have some bad news. Last night one of your board members, Amy Clarkston, was found shot to death in her apartment."

Dieter felt his heart skip a beat. He tried to say something, but couldn't. Visibly shaken, he slumped back in his chair.

"Good Lord," he finally murmured, after several moments had passed.

"I'm sorry," Nolan said.

"I can't believe this. Who would want to hurt Amy?"

"I was hoping you could shed some light on that."

"She didn't have an enemy in the world."

"Are you sure, Mr. Smythe?"

"There's no-one. No-one excep — no, it's ridiculous."

"Anything you can give us would be helpful."

"The only person Amy ever had any trouble getting along with is a man by the name of Russ Morrison."

"And who is he?"

"Founder and president of Morrison Industries, my company's major competitor."

"What can you tell me about him."

"Honestly? He's scum. Bottom of the barrel."

"You sound like you're speaking from experience."

"I am. I used to work for him."

"Why did you leave?"

"A lot of reasons. Mainly because his business practices are unethical. Even by Wall Street standards."

"Is he capable of murder?"

"Capable, maybe. But it's not his style."

"How well did he know Ms. Clarkston?"

"Only through our business dealings. I don't see why he would — oh, Christ. My wife. She's Amy's best friend. I've got to go home and tell her what's happened. And my staff. They also need to be told."

"Yes, I'll need to talk with them, as well. And your wife, too, I'm afraid."

Dieter pulled out a business card and wrote his home address on the back.

"Take a few minutes and tell your employees about Ms. Clarkston. I'll take it from there. Tell your wife I'll be by later."

"Okay."

"Where's Mr. Morrison's office?"

"It's the tallest building on Decker Avenue. You can't miss it."

"Thanks."

Dieter and Nolan walked back into the lobby.

"Jenny?"

"Yes, Mr. Smythe?"

"When everyone gets here, gather them in the conference room. There's something all of you need to know."

"Everyone's here but Amy," she said. "Do you want to wait?"

"No," Dieter replied, softly. "There wouldn't be any point."

Chapter 2

"RUSS, I need your signature," Stan Arbour, treasurer of Morrison industries, yelled above the din.

"And you'll have it, Stan," Russ Morrison replied, surveying the busy work station that dominated his central office. "Lorne, come here a minute!" he called.

"Coming, Uncle Russ!" the young man replied, as he bounded across the spacious chamber.

"I wanted to see how you were doing with the guest list for next month's banquet."

"It's almost done."

"Fine. Keep up the good work."

"I will," Lorne said, and wandered off.

Russ smiled proudly, then turned back to Stan.

"I like to give him as many kudos as possible," he said. "I know what you're thinking. He's awkward as hell. But I tell you, in just a few years, he's going to be —"

"You can't go in there!" cried a voice from the outer office. "I said you can't go in there!"

"We need to talk, Morrison, and I mean now!" Dieter Smythe demanded, as he charged in through the doors.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Morrison," his secretary pleaded, "I tried to stop him, but —"

"It's all right, Christy," Russ said. "Go back outside with Stan."

"You look as if you're expecting me, Russ," Dieter said, as Stan and Christy shuffled past.

"Oh, once the police came to question me, I knew you wouldn't be far behind. Really, Dieter, how could you even think that I would be involved in that poor girl's death?"

"Maybe I'm paranoid. Or maybe I just know you. I came here looking for answers. I'm not leaving until I get them."

"Smythe, my involvement in this unfortunate matter can be summed up in a single word: zero. I had nothing whatsoever to do with Amy Clarkston's murder. On that you have my word."

"We both know how much that's worth."

"Self-righteous as ever. And an amateur sleuth, to boot! Remarkable. I'm not a killer, Dieter, and you damn well know it."

Felicia Garrison had heard enough. She'd put up with Russ for years — both at work and in bed — but no more.

"What you are is a goddamn liar!" she shouted in a slurred voice.

She emerged from the conference room, making more of an effort not to spill her drink than to walk straight.

"Get out of here, Felicia," Russ said. "This is none of your affair."

"Interesting choice of words," she replied. "Maybe Dieter would be interested, too."

"I'm warning you, you bitch —"

Dieter stepped between them.

"What are you talking about, Felicia?" he asked.

"Felicia, get the hell out of here!" Russ bellowed. "Christy, call security! I want both of them out of here now!"

"The so-called dislike Amy had for Russ was nothing but an act," Felicia said. "They were sleeping together, Dieter. Russ was using her to get information about your company."

Security arrived just in time to pull Dieter and Russ apart. 

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Tainted Monarch copyright © 2001 Jay Waitkus. All rights reserved. Cover image by NZ Graphics.