Decker pulled a pair of latex gloves from his jacket pocket, slapped them on, and leaned into the Caddy. He felt one of the dead man’s arms. “He’s clearly in rigor. So roughly twelve hours or more. Ambient temp in here is average. But if he burned through a full tank of gas after he died, it might’ve gotten pretty hot in here.”
“Definitely could have sped up the rigor initiation and body decomp,” pointed out Jamison.
Kelly said, “That’s going to be important because we need to establish alibis.”
“So any idea where Hugh Dawson is?”
“You’re thinking Hugh had something to do with this?”
“If he was the last person to see McClellan before he died, I have some questions to ask the man. And the sooner the better.”
ONE PHONE CALL found Hugh Dawson at his home. Kelly, Decker, and Jamison arranged to meet him out there that night. They didn’t tell him why.
The maid led them to his office, where he rose from behind his desk to greet them.
He looked anxiously at Kelly. “Is it true? Is Stuart really dead?”
“How’d you hear about that?” said Kelly imperturbably.
“Hell, it’s all over. My maid told me. She heard it from her boyfriend who works for McClellan.”
“It is true,” said Decker.
“How’d he die?”
Decker said, “He was found dead in his car. Looks like carbon monoxide poisoning. The same way your wife died,” he added, drawing sharp looks from both Jamison and Kelly.
Dawson plopped back down in his chair. “Holy Lord.”
“We understand you had dinner with McClellan last night,” said Kelly.
“That’s right, at Maddie’s.”
“Did he pick the place?” asked Jamison.
“Uh . . .” He glanced at Kelly.
“I know about the deal,” Kelly said.
“Okay. To answer your question, it was his idea. Now that he owns it.”
“And have you told Caroline yet?” asked Kelly sternly.
“I’m going to meet with her and tell her.”
“Can I ask why you sold out?” said Kelly. “Jamison said you told her you just wanted to cash out. Last time I was here you were upbeat about things. Buying properties. Caroline opened her restaurant and everything.”
“I also talked about the downsides to fracking. And I’m just tired, Joe. Been doing this for nearly forty years.”
“What are you going to do?” Kelly asked.
“Buying a place in France. Only a lot bigger than the one I had before. Got a guesthouse for Caroline large enough for the kiddies when they come along.”
“I wouldn’t count on that,” said Kelly. “You basically sold out her life from under her.”
“I don’t see it that way,” he said crossly.
“Then you’re choosing not to see.”
“I know you were very close growing up—hell, there was a time there when I thought you two would walk down the aisle. But this is none of your damn business.”
“Okay, then let me get back to what is my business. When was the last time you saw McClellan?”
“When we left the restaurant.”
“Give us the details.”
“It was around eleven. He got in his car and I got in mine. I drove back here.”
“Can anyone corroborate that?” asked Decker.
“No. Everybody here had gone home long before then. It was just me.”
“So nobody can vouch for your whereabouts?” asked Kelly.
“Wait a minute. Are you implying—? Why the hell would I want to kill Stuart McClellan? He just paid me a great deal of money.”
Jamison interjected, “We’re just trying to learn about timelines and alibis, Mr. Dawson. It’s all routine.”
“Well it sure doesn’t come across as routine. Where was Stuart found? At his place?”
“No,” said Kelly.
“And you said it was carbon monoxide poisoning? Could it have been an accident? Like Maddie?”
Decker said, “No, it was clearly deliberate. Can you think of any reason why he would commit suicide?”
Dawson considered this for a few moments. “Not a single one. He stood to make a great deal more money now that he had combined his businesses with mine. He could merge the back-end offices, eliminate redundancies, and increase his cash flow. He was sitting pretty. So why would he kill himself?”
“Then it looks like murder,” said Decker. “Unless we’re missing something. Do you know why anyone would want to kill him?”
Dawson looked warily at him. “I don’t like making accusations against anybody.”
“Let’s call them suggested persons of interest,” said Decker. “It goes no further than this room. But if you have names we can check them out.”
“Stuart was a hard-nosed businessman. He drove tough bargains. Left some with nothing.”
“These people have names?” asked Jamison.
“None of them are still around here. And the one that I might have named has been dead about a year.” He paused and looked uncertain.
“What?” said Decker quickly.
“Look, I like the boy fine. I really do. Fought for his country and all. But Stuart was merciless to him.”
“You mean Shane?” said Kelly.
“I know you are buds.”
“We were friends growing up. And we’re still friends, but not as tight as before. Do you have anything more concrete than his abusing Shane?”
“Not really, no. But you asked and so that’s what my answer is.”
“And Shane would inherit his father’s fortune, of course,” said Jamison.
“As far as I know. You’d have to check with the lawyers on that. Stuart could have made a will leaving it to anybody he wanted.”
“But if he did that and Shane didn’t know, he could still have a motive for murdering his father,” pointed out Decker.
“I don’t think I know anyone less in love with money and business than Shane,” noted Kelly.
“Shane told us you and he weren’t as close as you once were,” noted Jamison. “And you just said the same thing.”
“High school was high school. Then life came along. We went our separate ways. But I knew the guy back then, and that guy hasn’t changed. Hell, he could have stayed here and sat on his ass and let his father pay him. But he joined the Army and risked his life for his country. He came back with medals and he never talks about any of it.”
Dawson smiled. “You two were the best football players this town ever turned out.”
“Decker played for the Cleveland Browns,” said Jamison. “After starting for Ohio State.”
“Wow,” said Kelly. “That is damn impressive.”
“Well, you’re certainly big enough,” said Dawson, eyeing Decker’s huge frame.
“Yeah, if it were only about size I’d be in the hall of fame,” noted Decker wryly. He looked at Kelly. “We still have to check it out.”
“I know we do,” said Kelly brusquely. “And I’ll keep an open mind, but I think that’s the wrong tree to bark up.”