A MAN ON THE EDGE
Sometimes when faced with a crisis of epic proportions, a man must seek alternatives…must somehow satisfy the question of “reasonable doubt.” Excerpted from Interior Designs.
Zach Lowenstein had always had his secrets. A secret life, even; one he seldom shared with the women in his “harem,” as he liked to think of them. His investigator had told him that any one of the women he’d ever “screwed,” both literally and figuratively, could have possibly framed him. “You know what they say about ‘a woman scorned,’ so let’s put our heads together and come up with some possibilities.”
Jake Lansing had come highly recommended, as an investigator and as a pit bull who hung in there until he caught his “man,” or “woman.” He sort of blended into the crowd, which made him very effective at following his targeted individuals. Of medium height, he sported a large belly and bulbous eyes; but otherwise, he was scarcely noticeable in a group.
Today he was meeting Zach in a neighborhood bar, and as they downed their shots and beers, Jake watched his client, as if assessing him. Yes, he had concluded that Zach had not treated women very well, which was one of the reasons that someone like Sydney had been stalking him. But there were a large number of other women who could have wanted to kill that woman and frame Zach. He hadn’t overlooked the possibility that a seemingly inconsequential man had wanted to exact revenge against Zach, as well. Perhaps a jealous boyfriend.
In one of their first meetings, Jake had jotted down many names, and in the process of checking them out, he had eliminated some and added a few more.
“So what about those two women from the interior design firm?” Jake’s question punctured Zach’s solemn thoughts.
“I have been wondering about them, but I’ve pretty much ruled out Martha. She’s too classy…well, maybe I’m being hasty, here, but I didn’t sense any real hostility from her after we stopped seeing each other. Even though she’d discovered some of my duplicity…” He sighed, then, almost as if he were regretting some of his actions.
“What about the other one?”
“I saw her the other day, and she was as jumpy as a rabbit about to fall down a hole. And I had told her about Sydney, but I don’t think I mentioned her by name. So how would she have known?”
“Good point,” Jake mused. “But let’s not cross her off the list just yet. Now…what about the drug connection? Didn’t you say that Sydney was really into her substances? And I know that there was another woman from your past who was murdered, rather suspiciously. That case was never solved.”
“Oh, you must mean Miranda Templeton. You know, funny thing about that one…Martha knew her, too. In fact, I think they had a rather intriguing history together.” His thoughts wandered, then, remembering how that intensely attractive girl had consumed a great deal of his time. And how the news of her murder had plunged into him like a knife. It was one of those things you never forgot, especially if you wondered if your own actions had in any way contributed. He had certainly introduced her to some of the sleazy drug connections.
“Well, we’ll follow all possible leads,” Jake summarized. “And if you think of anyone or anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”
Zach watched the investigator swagger out of the bar, almost as if he’d just been there for the booze.
He certainly hoped that Jake would find someone they could point to during the trial to raise reasonable doubt. Otherwise, he might as well kiss the good life good-bye.
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