CHAPTER 34

ALL IS REVEALED

Liam had last seen Steve in a bar further up the street, talking to a girl and he would still be trying to hustle her.  He headed back to that bar.  They were still sitting at a table, with drunken teammates gathered around them.  When Liam appeared at their table, Steve shouted out, “Hey, Liam. Take a load off. Pull up a chair. Have you met Rachel?”

Liam nodded at Rachel.  He recognized her from when they had played her team that morning. He sat down and quickly replied, “I seem to remember, that she tried to smash a ball into my face this afternoon.”

All the drunks at the table laughed at his quick wit.

Rachel smiled and said, “Hey, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We intend to win this tournament.”

Liam couldn’t pass that up, “Many have tried but we are unbeatable.” In the next breath, he turned to Steve and said,” I just saw Sue Anne outside with a guy.”

Steve, who did not welcome a discussion about a possible ex-girlfriend while he was trying to hustle a potential new girlfriend, grunted a reply, “What guy?

“That guy, two years ago, who the media suggested had conspired to have his rich wife murdered.  They suggested he made it look like she had died in a boating accident.  This guy’s face appeared in all the newspapers and TV.”

“Yeah, I remember that. They never found a body. What happened to him?”

“Nothing, as far as I can remember. I assume he got all her money.  I tried to clue Sue Anne in on who he was, but it was awkward with him being right there.”

“Why were you so sure he was the same guy?”

“I asked him.”

“What? You asked him? You've got to be kidding. Christ Liam, this guy could be some kind of psychopathic killer. And then, you let Sue Anne go off with him? Did you see where they went?” 

“Nope. They were just moving up the strip. Before we jump to the wrong conclusions and we get Sue Anne even more pissed off, than she already is with you, I think we better check out, what the hell happened two years ago. Did you bring your laptop?”

“Yeah, it’s in my room. Here's my key. It's on the desk. I’ll see you later.”

Steve threw Liam his room key.  Liam scooped it up and put it in his pocket. He nodded goodbye to Rachel and all the drunks at the table.  The group at the table had become quiet listening to the exchange between Steve and Liam but they quickly reverted to loud, boisterous jock talk.  Steve showed little sign that he would follow Liam back to his hotel room anytime soon.

Liam had been working away on Steve’s laptop for almost an hour when there was a knock at the room’s door.  He got up and let Steve in. The laptop, that he had left behind on the desk, was displaying a story from the NBC television station in Delmarva, Maryland. It read in big headlines, “WAS FOUL PLAY BEHIND BOATING ACCIDENT?”

As Steve entered the room, he quickly asked, “So, what did you find?

Liam, looking very serious and worried, replied, “Listen to this.”  He then clicked on the TV station’s video and turned up the volume on the laptop to hear a deep, professional voice say,

“WRDE’s reporter, Chris Smith, began his investigation of the mysterious disappearance of wealthy socialite, Mrs. Naomi Powell, shortly after her boat was found abandoned in Delaware Bay. The courts have now ruled that this mysterious disappearance was tragic fatal accident.  Her body has never been recovered. In this special report, Smith explores the many unanswered questions that suggest foul play may be involved.”

The television reporter is seen standing with a marina, full of expensive pleasure boats, serving as a backdrop.  He began his report, “Captain Jim Randal, of the Coast Guard stated that they used a bull horn to rouse the people on the boat. Not getting a response, he boarded the boat and found no one on board.  A stereo was playing, and glasses of beverage were sitting half full on the bridge. Captain Randal said that, in his thirty years with the Coast Guard, he had never encountered a situation where it appeared the occupants had just been there one second and gone the next.  He also said that the FBI investigators had told him that the absence of any struggle or damage to the vessel was unusual if a criminal act had occurred. They had also told him that while they found the disappearance suspicious, they could only conclude that a tragic accident had occurred. When interviewed, Mrs. Powell’s father, wealthy industrialist Howard Green, a former coast guardsman, said that his daughter was a skilled and experienced mariner who took no chances and adhered to all safe boating practices.  He said that he had great difficulty in believing that his daughter could have encountered a situation that she was not prepared to cope with.  She was a strong swimmer and, on board, always wore a life vest that would have inflated as soon as she the water. He had concluded that some trusted third party must have boarded the boat and disabled her.  When asked if his daughter kept a weapon on the boat. He replied that he had trained her in using the weapon found in a locked cabinet on the boat. Now back to the studio.”

Steve listened to the television report.  At its conclusion, he said, “Well Liam, is this guy, that Sue Anne is with, a murderer or not?”

Lien threw up his hands, as a sign of inconclusiveness, and responded, “No, despite all the innuendos, trying to tie her husband into her disappearance, there is nothing to show that he was on that boat.  People saw her leave the marina, with a man who was not her husband.  That man also disappeared. The press raised all kinds of wild theories from pirates to a mafia hit, but there is no evidence to support them.”

“What else did you find of interest?”

“Well, just over a year ago, her husband brought the case to court to have her declared legally dead. Apparently, her parents were not happy about that.  In most states five years must past before a missing person can be presumed dead. However, her husband petitioned the court, to end the speculation that his wife was still alive and to put to rest the rumors that he was involved in her death. The only subpoenaed witness, was an investigator who said that after a thorough investigation  in his opinion she was deceased. Her will stipulated that all of her estate went to her husband.”

“How big an estate?”

“No figures published, but the press reported that she had inherited a big chunk of her grandfather's shares in a several major corporations. They speculated that she was worth hundreds of millions. That could certainly give an unhappy spouse motivation to do more than just ask for a divorce. What do we do now?

“Well, I've got no credibility with Sue Anne, so I guess you're the one who has got to find her and warn her that she may have put herself in danger. If she thinks I'm a shit, then this guy may make me look like a choir boy. Were you able to find anything that indicated he had a history of violence?”

“That is the strange thing.  Raymond Powell just seemed to show up, out of the blue, in Benji Beach, several years ago.  He bought a local golf course and his business interests grew from there.”

“Liam, if he is a murderer then you would think there should be some kind of history of violence.  For example, did you check the FBI Most Wanted website? A small, coastal, resort town would be a good place, for someone on the run to hide out in.”

“No, I didn’t check the FBI list.  It seems a little farfetched and paranoid to think that this guy could be a murderer. He doesn’t look like one.” 

“What do you mean he doesn’t look like one?”

“You know, wild eyed, jerky, hard looking.  He looks like a successful, hip businessman, the kind who drives a Porsche, which is what I saw him driving.”

“You can’t trust guys who drive Porches.”

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I’m kidding but you never know. Why not check the FBI Most Wanted List, anyway?”

“Okay, let’s see who the FBI are looking for. I've seen him, so I should be able to go through this list quickly.” 

Liam saw that the FBI had organized their website into sections, “Ten Most Wanted, Fugitives, Terrorism, Kidnappings/Missing Persons, Seeking Information, Bank Robbers, ECAP”

He started with bank robbers and worked backwards. It didn’t take him long to skim through the pages.  He was looking for a blond haired, white guy and there were not many matching that criteria.  When he finally got to the “Ten Most Wanted” he finally found someone who resembled Raymond Powell. 

Liam called out to Steve, "Holy shit, I think we've got a hit. See this guy. I think if you shaved his hair, gave him a blond beard and put glasses on him, that it could be him. The eyes, height and weight would be about right. You’ve got a Photoshop program in your PC.  Give me a couple of minutes with this picture and let me show you." 

Liam copied the picture from the FBI website and transferred it into PhotoShop.  He added a beard to the face and removed the hair from his head.  Finally, he drew in glasses.  Liam compared the picture on the computer screen to the photograph he had taken with his cell phone of John Cross in the Porsche with Sue Anne.  Holding the cell phone, next to the computer screen he said to Steve, “What do you think?”  

Steve looked at one picture and then the other before he quietly said, “They sure look like the same person to me.”  Liam brought up the entire wanted notice.  Steve leaned over Liam’s shoulder and read it.

JOHN DAVID CROSS

DESCRIPTION:  

·       Aliases: Jay Cross, Dan Cross 

·       Date(s) of Birth Used: December 25, 1978

·       Place of Birth: California

·       Hair: Blond, Eyes: blue, Height: 6'1”, Weight: 185 pounds, Sex: Male, Race: White, 

·       Nationality: American.  Scars and marks: Cross has scars on his chest and left forearm. 

·       Occupation: businessman, financial services

 REWARD: The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of John David Cross.

REMARKS

Cross spent two years in France as a missionary for an organization identified as The Sanctuary.  He speaks French fluently.  A university graduate with a Master of Business Administration degree, for several years he owned a collection agency in Las Vegas, Nevada. A sportsman, he is an avid golfer, snowboarder, boater and motorcycle enthusiast.

 CAUTION

 John David Cross is wanted for his alleged involvement in the robbery of a casino.  A male suspect in helmet, sunglasses and bicycle racing gear, later identified as Cross, intercepted an armored truck guard outside the Cheers Casino in Laughlin, Nevada.  The guard resisted Cross’ attempt to seize a bag containing $3,500,000 of the casino’s cash.  Cross fatally shot the guard and escaped on a bicycle with the deposit. His automobile was found abandoned two days later in the Mexican border town of Nogales, Arizona.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Cross in the United States District Court, District of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, after he was charged with first degree murder and aggravated robbery.

 SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Field Office: Las Vegas.

Steve and Liam looked at each other.  Liam let out a low whistle and said, “Wow.”

“Liam, you’re sure it's him?

“Absolutely.”

“Just do a search under his name alone and see what else you can find out about him.”

Liam did another search and got pages of hits.  The first one was a newspaper article, He read it silently and then read it out loud for Steve, "Cross didn't fit the image of a hardened criminal. He looked more like a surfer dude from California, which is where he grew up. He boasted about a privileged lifestyle filled with beautiful women, expensive cars and vacations at luxury resorts."

Glancing up from the computer, Liam said, “This sure sounds like a guy who would want to latch on to a rich heiress and then knock her off.  Get this, it says he is a former missionary of The Sanctuary, whatever that is, and speaks French fluently.  When I was talking to him and Sue Anne, he said that he had grown up in California and had worked in Paris.  Too many coincidences. He’s grown a beard, shaved his hair and wears glasses.  It’s a disguise.  Even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him if he walked by her on the street.”

Steve sighed and said, “What do we do?

“We should contact the local police or even the FBI,” Liam suggested.

“It would probably take too long for the FBI to react. The most important thing is to get Sue Anne away from him as quickly as we can.  Let me try to reach her again.”

Steve took out his cell phone and speed dialed her cell phone number again.  He listened and then handed the phone to Liam and said, “She still has her phone turned off. I've got her voice mail, here. you leave her a message. You will have more credibility with her than me right now.”

Liam took Steve's cell phone and left the following message, “Hi Sue Anne, this is Liam. Please phone us back. I'm on Steve’s phone. The guy you are with is not who he says he is. Your life could be in danger.  Leave him, as quickly as you can, and meet us at the hotel.”

Steve had wanted to leave a message for her that said he loved her but with Liam there he felt too inhibited.  Liam said, “Now What?”

“Let's see, if we can track down where she is staying. She may be there. It can't be that far away. She was lugging a suitcase when she left here.”

Liam went back to the laptop and did a Google search of Benji Beach hotels.  A map came up.  He could see all the hotels within easy walking distance.  He copied the names and phone numbers and then transferred them into the laptop’s notebook.  The next step was to phone each of the hotels and ask for Sue Anne.  Steve sat slumped, in an upholstered armchair, listening to him.  On the third call, he turned to Steve and said, “Hey, I've got a live one. She is at the Seahorse Motel. They are putting me through to her room.”

The telephone rang and rang.  Finally, the desk clerk came back on the line and said, "I'm sorry but she is not answering."

“Could you leave a message for her to contact Liam and that it’s urgent and that it’s regarding Raymond.”

“Leon?”

“No, not Leon. It’s Liam. That is L- I -A-M”

“Does she have your phone number, Mister Leon”?

“The phone number is 721-322-4999”

“That is 721-233-4999?”

“No, 721-322-4999”

Feeling frustrated, Liam hangs up the phone and turns to Steve and says, “Now, what do we do.”

“Check and see if there is a phone listing for a Raymond Powell.”

Liam did a telephone number search for Raymond Powell in Benji Beach, Delaware.  The Google search found nothing.  He tried several variations of Powell’s name but all he got were newspaper articles, commenting on Powell’s numerous business enterprises. No home address or phone number was found.  He turned to Steve and said, “He must have an unlisted phone number and stays away from Facebook and LinkedIn. Now What?”

Steve pondered their dead end for several seconds before replying, “We could go out on the strip and look for her, which would probably be like looking for a needle in a haystack or we could contact the FBI and see if they are interested. It could be embarrassing, if we are wrong about finding this, John David Cross. We could also contact the local police, which could might be embarrassing but at least they probably know where to find Powell. This is a small town and Powell is a big wheel.  I don't think this is something we could explain over the phone.  Can you find out where the police station is?”

In a few seconds, Liam had done another search and located the Benji Beach police station.  The Google map, indicated it was just a short walk from the hotel. 

Ten minutes later they were standing outside the unimpressive, one and a half story police station. It was on a quiet, residential side street lined with vacation rental apartment buildings and modest houses. A police cruiser parked close to the entrance, confirmed they had the right building.  

They entered and stood at a counter. No one jumped up to see why they were there.  They could see a female employee, a dispatcher, working in a glassed-in area at the back of the room. Through an open door, they could see a fat balding, policeman absorbed in typing with two fingers on an old desk top computer with an ancient cathode ray monitor.  It was Wally, the police chief. They waited for several minutes.  Finally, Steve called out, “Hello?”.  

Wally looked up and stared vacantly at them, then waved his hand to show that he would be right there.  He resumed typing and did not seem happy about being interrupted by the two out-of-towners.

 Wally was sorry that he had put all the police officers out patrolling the main drag.  “Thank God,” he whispered to himself, “this volleyball tournament is  over tomorrow.” With most of the help, out of the station, he had taken over the responsibility of manning the front counter. With thousands of visitors in town he wanted as many feet on the street as possible.

Ten minutes later, Wally rose from behind his desk and strolled unenthusiastically over to the counter. He greeted them with, “What can I do for you boys?”

“It's a long story,” Steve responded.

The police chief stared at Steve expectantly, wondering how much of his time this story would waste.  He hoped his nice quiet shift, was not about to get busy.  With no way to avoid hearing this long story, he nodded at Steve, pretending that he was interested in hearing their story.

Steve recognized he was being cued and started his story, "Do you remember, two years ago, when a wealthy woman from Benji Beach fell off her boat and disappeared. They found her abandoned boat in the bay but no body."

“Yeah, Mrs. Powell.  I remember it well. Do you have some new information about it?”

“Maybe.  Did her husband inherit her estate?”

“Yes, that's right. There was a special trial to declare that she was deceased by an accident at sea.”

“This is my friend Liam.” Steve turned towards Liam before he continued, “He is a researcher for one of the big law firms in Washington.  He just did some research, and that shows that Mrs. Powell’s former husband, Raymond Powell, is a murderer wanted by the FBI. His real name is John David Cross.”

Not impressed by Liam’s credentials and with a bit of a condescending tone, Wally responded, “Now. What proof do you have to back that up?”

Steve and the policeman now both turned to stare at Liam.  He quickly responded, “Raymond Powell was introduced to me this evening. He was with a friend of ours. I remembered him from the pictures in the papers and on TV. I couldn't remember all the details or what happened to his wife, so I researched it on the internet. There were a lot of innuendos that the husband had arranged her disappearance to get his hands on her money.”

The police chief thought to himself, here we go with those same old bull shit conspiracy theories.  Why did these two idiots have to interrupt my quiet Saturday night? 

He finally sighed and said, “That was all idle chatter by a bunch of busybodies. The trial put a stop to that nonsense. Her loss was just an unfortunate accident. I was part of the team that investigated her disappearance. Raymond Powell was miles away when she took her boat out. I confirmed it.  He had nothing to do with her death.”

Liam ignored the Chief of Police’s response, and continued, “I also checked the FBI’s Most Wanted list because we felt that if he were a murderer, then he could well have done something like this before. I went through it, and I found a wanted posting for a John David Cross. He killed an armored truck guard in a Nevada robbery. If you shaved John Cross’ head, put a beard and glasses on him, he would look like Raymond Powell.  When I was talking to him, he said that he was from California, just like where the wanted poster said Cross was from. Powell also speaks French fluently.  John Cross lived in France for two years and speaks French fluently. That was also in the poster.”

Wally felt like he was getting a headache. With one of those voices, that indicated that he wished that they would just leave, he responded, “Listen, this is a closed case. I will not waste any more of my time on it, especially if it means irritating someone, I trust and I have nothing but respect for. I’ve known Raymond Powell for years.  He is a pillar of this community. For Christ sakes, he employs a big percentage of the damn people in Benji Beach. He’s a Rotarian and has done more for this community than anyone else has ever done. The very success of this volleyball tournament is his doing. He's a good guy. Your friend is in good hands if he's with Ray.”

Steve piped up, “Our friend is a she”.

“Well then, she's in good hands. He's a real gentleman. Now, why don't you guys go home to bed and let me get back to my work.”

Steve, disappointed, with an incredulous voice asked “So you will do nothing?

“No, I am not going to anything.  I sure as hell am not going to bother Ray Powell and neither are you. He's had to put up with enough of this kind of crap. Now go home.”

As Liam and Steve left. The policeman went back to his desk and resumed typing his report. Just as he finished, a police officer came in with a young drunk who had thrown a beer can through a store window. Billy helped process the booking.

When things quieted down, and he picked up the phone and dialed the number of his good friend, Raymond Powell. The following was the one-way phone call, “Hi Ray, it's Wally. Did I wake you?... Oh, good. I thought you could do with a laugh. Two city boys came in here asking about you. They said their friend was with you. They thought you were a murderer by the name of Cross, who is on some FBI most wanted list ... Yeah that's a good one…. If they should bother you, just let me know…. No problem. Take it easy… Well thank you Ray, you don’t have to do that… No, no we love eating at Matteo’s…. Bye.”

He smiled as he put the phone down, thinking what a great guy Raymond Powell was. Peering at his watch, he realized it was almost time for him to go home and get some sleep.  He was so glad that the tournament would be over tomorrow.

CHAPTER 35

THE REWARD

Dejected, Steve and Liam left the police station and headed back to Steve’s suite.  On the short walk, Liam mumbled, “Well that was a big waste of time. That cop made me feel like a real asshole.”

Steve responded, “Are you really sure that Raymond Powell is John David Cross?”

“Yeah, but not as sure as I was before. It’s like we just hit a brick wall. That cop wouldn't even consider the possibility.”

“Well, I think he’s wrong. The wanted poster said there was a hundred-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to his apprehension. What do we have to lose? The only option is to phone the FBI. If we get nowhere with them, then I guess, we have hit a brick wall. Get the FBI phone number off the wanted poster. Let's see what happens.”

Back in Steve’s room, Liam again pulled up the wanted notice with the FBI’s Las Vegas office phone number.  He wrote the phone number down on the hotel notepaper and handed it to Steve. Steve took out his cell phone and dialed the number.  Steve figured his company could absorb the long-distance charge.

The phone was answered by a soft, melodious, feminine voice, “FBI Las Vegas, how may I direct your call?”

“I have sighted a fugitive that appears on your most wanted list.”

“One moment, please.”

The phone was answered on the first ring, “Agent Michael Smith here, to who am I talking?”

“My name is Steve Kennedy.”

“Thank you, Mister Kennedy.  Just in case our phone call is interrupted and I must phone you back, can you please give me a phone number where I can reach you?”

“989-800-3298”

“Is that a cell phone number?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Thank you.  Now, how can I assist you?”

“I would like to report sighting a fugitive on your most wanted list.”

“Who would that be?”

“John David Cross.”

“Where was, he sighted?”

““In Benji Beach, Delaware.”

“Where was he?”

“On the main street”

“What was he doing?”

“Walking down the street with my girlfriend.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Yes, my girlfriend.”

“Why do you think this was John Cross?”

“He was introduced to my friend Liam, who is here with me now, as Raymond Powell.  Mister Powell is a rich and powerful man in Benji Beach.  Two years ago, his wealthy wife disappeared, in a boating mishap, under mysterious circumstances.  Her will left him with over one hundred million dollars.  He pushed the courts to declare that she was dead.  Rumors have circulated that he murdered her for her money”

“Sorry, where is Benji Beach?” 

“In Delaware.  It is a small beach town, just south of Dover, Delaware. There is a big air force base in Dover.”

“Is Powell spelled the way it sounds, P-O-W-E-L-L?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why do you think this Mister Powell is John Cross?”

“He is a blond, about the right height, weight and age.    He’s shaved off all his hair, has grown a beard and wears glasses, which is an attempt at a disguise. When Liam talked to him, he mentioned that he was from California and had worked in Paris, France. They conversed in French.”

“What made you check him on our most wanted List?”

“When my friend came back to my room and told me who my girlfriend was with, I became worried that she was with someone who might harm her.  Liam is an expert researcher.  As soon as he told me she was with this guy, who may have murdered his wife, I told him to check for a prior murder.  He might have done it before.  Benji Beach is off the beaten path, a great place to hide. When Liam checked your wanted website, he found, the only blond in it, was John Cross and that he sure looked like he could be Powell. Liam Photo Shopped the picture of Powell that he had taken of him in the street. After he erased the hair and the glasses, and then added the beard, it looked just like your wanted poster.  It was too strong a match to ignore. During his conversation with Powell, Liam said Powell mentioned his French fluency and his roots in California.  There are just too many coincidences.

“Where is Powell now?”

“I don’t know but he has extensive property holdings in Benji Beach.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”

“No but I am worried that my girlfriend may be in great danger.”

“Mister Kennedy.  Can you make a note of the following case number?”

“Yes, I’ve got a pen and paper.”

“The case number is JC494678.  Use this case number, if you remember anything else, or if you wish to contact us, to learn what is going on.”

“I’m worried about her.  Are you going to do something tonight?”

“I will be immediately forwarding everything you have given me to the agent in charge of this investigation.  My advice, would be for you to approach the local police.”

“We already did that.  It was a waste of time.  He told us Mister Powell was a very important person in Benji Beach and that he would not do anything.”

“Okay, I will make sure the agent in charge knows that.  Thanks for contacting us.”

Steve hung up, turned to Liam and said, “What do you think, Liam?”

“I don’t know.  He didn’t seem to want to commit them to anything.  I guess, it all comes down to this agent in charge of the investigation.  We’ve given them enough to get moving on it.

“We can't do anymore tonight.  We might as well get some sleep.  Why don’t you pull out the fold away bed in that couch and sleep here, just in case something comes up.”

“OK, good idea.”