Free The Chinese Jars by William Gordon Page B

on looking for the other piece of the claim check. He found another piece of stiff paper with red Chinese characters tucked in the pocket of a notebook that had “Daily Reminder” written on the front, but was filled with blank pages. Samuel smoothed out the torn piece of paper and placed it right next to the page Perkins had copied at the medical examiner’s office. It looked as though they’d found what they were after.
    The attorney took photos of the two papers, and then yelled for the owner, “Excuse me, Mr. Engel, can you come back here for a moment?”
    Engel didn’t respond, so Samuel went to fetch him and brought him to the table.
    â€œDo you know where this piece of claim check is from?” Charles asked the owner.
    â€œI’m afraid I don’t. And no one here reads Chinese,” he said.
    â€œDid Mr. Rockwood ever mention any Chinese friends?’ Samuel asked.
    â€œNo, he didn’t. I can ask the other employees, but I doubt they know anything,” he said. “The janitor was friendly and efficient but he didn’t mix with the other employees. I’m afraid he didn’t make any friends here.”
    â€œTell us about these keys,” said the attorney.
    â€œI recognize this one; it opens the front door. And this one, the back door. The third one, I believe, is the key to the broom closet where we discovered he lived. The one next to that one opens the storeroom. But I’ve no idea about the other two,” said the owner. “They’ve nothing to do with our business.”
    Charles separated the two keys from the rest and took photos of them. “Do you know if Mr. Rockwood had a bank account?”
    â€œYes, at the local Bank of America. At least that’s where he deposited his checks. It’s right around the corner.”
    â€œCan I see his paychecks?” asked Charles. “Frankly, I’m trying to find out where he kept his money, in his own account or in someone else’s.”
    The owner brought the checks pertaining to Rockwood and placed them on the now crowded table. They were typical payroll checks with the name and address of the company in the upper left-hand corner. “I separated all of his checks, thinking someone might make an inquiry,” he said, waiting for the next question.
    Charles went through them methodically. They were all endorsed the same way, Reginald Rockwood III, all written out legibly, as if the signer took great pride in his name. Underneath the signature was an account number and the words, “For Deposit Only,” in the same meticulous handwriting.
    Charles took photographs of a few of the checks with Reginald Rockwood’s name on the face of them and his signature on the back. He had Samuel write down the account number in his notebook so they wouldn’t have to wait for the negatives to be developed. He then picked up the keys. “Can we keep these two?” he asked.
    â€œI’d prefer to make you copies. There’s a place right near here. I can have them for you in a few minutes,” said Engel. He called an employee and sent him off to get the job done.
    â€œDo you have any information on this guy’s private life?” asked Charles.
    â€œNone whatsoever. Mr. Hamilton can tell you we were quite surprised to learn he was living in our broom closet.”
    â€œReferring to this Chinese claim check, or whatever it is, do you have any idea where this place might be?” asked Charles.
    â€œAbsolutely none,” said the owner.
    â€œWe appreciate the help you’ve given us today, Mr. Engel. Hopefully, we won’t have to bother you again, but we do need to take this claim check with the Chinese writing on it. You understand, don’t you? This is official business. I’ll send you a photo of it, and here’s a receipt.” He’d already written it out and handed it to Engel.
    â€œI understand. How long do you want me to