Free Alex Ames - Calendar Moonstone 02 - Brilliant Actors by Alex Ames

“However, we have the statement from a renowned insurance detective, Mr. Fowler Wynn, who has real doubts about the involvement of the defendant.”
    Judge Lawrence glanced at the paperwork. “And Mr. Wynn is present?”
    “He is waiting outside. We can call him up if needed.”
    “He is needed,” ordered the judge.
    The deputy walked out and came back with Fowler at his side. Fowler was motioned toward a chair between our two tables and looked seriously at the judge.  
    “Mr. Wynn, your resume is impressive,” the judge said, looking over one of the folders on his desk. “Maybe you can answer some questions for me.”
    “Your honor,” Fowler simply said, completely at ease. He probably ate court appearances for lunch dessert.
    “When I read your statement, I learned that you suspect the defendant of about two kazillion jewelry thefts, cat burglar style, over the last six decades. Is that so?”
    The judge’s sarcasm was lost on Fowler. “That is right, your honor. To be exact: twenty-four cases within six years. I have reason to believe—” Fowler started, but the judge interrupted him because Fowler had given himself away by falling into his fanatical searcher-for-the-truth voice that always crept over him whenever Calendar Moonstone was the subject.
    “And in this instance, where the evidence looks pretty clear cut, you don’t think she is involved?” Judge Lawrence inquired.
    Fowler looked slightly deflated but nodded. “No, your honor. The defendant is among the most clever criminals I have ever encountered. I know her style of work inside out, and this theft is not her work … as much as I would like to see her behind bars.”
    Judge Lawrence gave Fowler a very long look. “Lieutenant Graves, what is your take on this strange development? It is your case, too.”
    Graves, too, started to get up automatically and was waved down again. “Your honor probably knows that we have been working on a series of jewelry thefts for the last nine months now. The thief or thieves have hit about a dozen mansions in the LA area; some of the victims are high-profile celebrities, just like Mrs. Collins and Mrs. McAllister.”  
    It was the first time I had heard anything about this, a burglar stealing expensive jewelry from the rich and famous of Hollywood—which, in retrospect, explained Fowler Wynn’s presence in LA. He helped the police and now had found a nice way of delegating the dirty work. To me.  
    “As much as I would like to close this case for good,” he gave me a look, “I must admit that the style of Monday’s crime is very different from the other crimes.”
    “So, in your detective opinion, did she do it or not, Lieutenant?” the judge asked and shook his head at Terrence’s attempt to object.  
    Graves exchanged looks with Palmeri, who in turn looked at Fowler, who did nothing because he still felt duped by the judge.  
    “Lieutenant, we are waiting. Did she or didn’t she?”
    “We found no additional evidence of Mrs. Moonstone’s involvement at her home or in her jewelry shop,” Graves said, “but I can’t just ignore the fact that she had Mrs. McAllister’s necklace in her possession and tried to hide the fact from us. If not for some observant party guest, she would have gotten away with it.”
    “Please answer my question, detective.” The judge’s impatience was clear.  
    Palmeri answered for his detective. “The reason we asked for a closed hearing is that we don’t want the investigation to blow up on us. We kept the media successfully out so far, and we think we made good progress. By indicting Mrs. Moonstone of the crime, we would need to go public—and we don’t want that right now, not until we are sure that there is someone else behind the earlier thefts.”
    Judge Lawrence glanced at our small assembly with a tired look. “Basically, you want the cake but don’t want to break the egg. Am I getting this right?”
    Palmeri looked at the judge with a