Chapter 8: Suspect Interrogations (Part 2)

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Jack & Melissa are in interrogation room#2 with Nathan Adams and Gus Clein:

"Thank you for coming on short notice you two. We have some questions that need to be answered." Jack stated. "Question away." Nathan said. "Did a man named Mark Stevens contact you about some artwork to be prepared for his fiancée Rachel Maddox?" Melissa inquired. "Yes he did. He wanted a ceramic vase and a self-portrait painting of her." Nathan stated. "Do you know who she commissioned to create them for her?" Melissa asked. "One of our painters: Patrick Mills. He does sculptures, vases, paintings. He's a very talented artist, but he has his flaws." Nathan stated. "What do you mean flaws?" Jack inquired. "He had major problems with living up to expectations and commitments and doing his job right; I nearly had to fire him for his incompetence, laziness, and the fact that he got into an argument with Rachel a few days ago." Nathan explained. "Did Nathan have a temper?" Melissa asked. "At times, but in public, he pretty much kept it in check." Nathan replied. "According to your statement, you said you're the one who found Rachel's dead body." Melissa stated. "Yes, it's a horrible tragedy; It's also not good for our business either." Nathan stated. "You don't seem too broken up over her death Mr. Adams." Jack said sharply. "She filed a lawsuit against our gallery for a breach of contract. I thought that was preposterous. We accommodated her to the very best of our abilities." Nathan stated. "Sounds like Rachel was a very difficult client to deal with." Melissa stated. "That would be a serious understatement. She was a bit of a perfectionist I'm afraid." Nathan replied. "Where were you at the time of the murder Mr. Adams?" Melissa inquired. "I had an emergency overnight shipment of artworkat the time of the murder, then I returned to the office at 7 to have ameeting with Gus to go over detailed account records." Nathan explained. "I can vouch for him; We met at the office right at 7 to discuss financial matters and then we closed down for the night. I left first, and Nathan stayed behind to lock up." Gus explained. "That's when I found the body. I went to telephone the police, but they said units were already on the way." Nathan stated.

"Was anybody else inside the building besides the two of you, Rachel, & her killer?" Jack asked. "There was one other person; I caught a glimpse of a man in a detective-like trench-coat leaving the gallery." Nathan replied. "Thank you." Melissa replied. "Are there any other questions?" Nathan asked. "Yes, I have one: Does the name Gary Melvin mean anything to you, Mr. Adams?" Jack inquired. "Yes. He purchased a vase from my art gallery a few days ago. The workmanship was flawed so he got a full refund of his money." Nathan replied. "$85,000 right?" Jack asked. "How did you know?" Jack asked. "We accessed Gary's computer records and found out he wrote a check to you in that amount." Jack stated. "Did you report a sculpture missing from your gallery to the police however?" Melissa inquired. "Yes, it was called "The Perching Predator." It was one of our finest pieces." Nathan replied.

 "We're gonna need to see your camera surveillance as well as have a look inside your office of operations." Melissa stated. "You'll need a warrant for that." Gus rebutted. "Talk to us when you get one." Nathan replied as he and Gus got up to leave. Suddenly, Jack noticed blood on Gus' shoes. "Hold it!" Jack commanded. Gus and Nathan froze in place. "You have blood on your shoes Mr. Clein; We're gonna need them, and we don't need a warrant for them either." Jack commanded. "Have at them." Gus replied surrendering them to Jack. "Don't leave town gentleman, we may have more questions for you." Jack stated as he and Melissa left.

Melissa looked to Jack intently:

"You didn't bring up the crate of cocaine you found mixed in with the pottery." Melissa stated. "If I did, it would only rouse their suspicions; Besides, that evidence is only circumstantial right now." Jack stated. "It feels like we're being restricted somewhat; The answers are in that office. We need to get access to it." Melissa griped. "In order to do that we need something more concrete to give us probable cause." Jack replied. Melissa shrugged her shoulders. "What's the next move?" Melissa asked. "Follow the evidence. We still have their shoeprints to analyze, and there's some interesting equipment Jake, George, & I found at Gary Melvin's trailer. I want to see what they found out." Jack stated. "I'm right behind you." Melissa replied.

So the plot thickens with this case. The C.S.I.'s feel like they're being restricted in their access to certain key areas of investigation.

Hopefully the evidence will reveal something incriminating that will give them enough probable cause to proceed.

More in the next chapter!!!

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