DEATH BY PARKING – Episode V: The Shakedown


But IHateDivo P


BY JVH


RIVATE INVESTIGATOR PAULMANNINGISHELPINGGIRLFRIEND Shirley’s boss, Larry, who had been seeing a tenant (Mary) in his building, a married tenant. Now Larry’s in jail for the murder of the building’s parking manager,Miguel.Mary ran out of her office in tears. She was heading out to her cabin at Big Bear.Manning drove the two hours to the mountain resort


east of LA in an hour and a half. He found the cabin in a stand of pines overlooking Big Bear Lake.When he knocked, the door swung open.Manning just knewwhat hewas going to find when he went inside. Boy, was he wrong.


Itwas a large place, lots ofwood and open beams.Therewas


a fire in the stone fireplace to the left as I entered the great room. Through the glass straight ahead, I could see the sun shimmering off the lake. There were large colorful rugs on the slate floor and furni-


ture that looked as if it had been made out of twisted branches. Big pillows covered the chairs and sofas, which were leather and looked very comfortable. This was a rich person’s home, not some cabin you visited


when it wasn’t too cold. I was wondering if I had the right place whenMaryWilliams – or was it Hartison? – walked out of the bedroomto the right. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a flan- nel shirt. She fit right in with the décor. WhenMary sawme, she stopped, put her hand to hermouth


and gasped. “What are you doing here?” “Well, let’s see. I came to find


you.As near as I can tell, you have lied to me about just about every- thing you have toldme today. “Since I saw you this morn-


seeing Larry, but I had leftmy husband. “Miguel has been a friend, just a friend, and I was afraid he


would do something. He wanted to come withme to your office, but I didn’t want him any further involved. The act with the gun was just that, so he could get in to seewhatwas going on.Miguel was a little crazy,”Mary said, “but a nice guy, and hewas protect- ingme. “This ismy son, Roger. He’s home fromcollege. He’s going


to Stanford. Roger knows everything,Mr.Manning.” “Which is a lotmore than I do,” I said. “As youmight imag-


ine, I have a few questions.” “Before you ask them, there’s one more thing. I’m being


ing, your ‘husband’ – who in fact turned out to beMiguel, the park- ingmanager at Shirley’s building – was murdered.You were standing over the body. Larry Levinson, the building owner, has been hav- ing an affair with you, and now he’s under arrest for that murder. I’mrepresenting him.” “You can’t,”Mary said, “I hired you to helpme.” “You don’t need any help,” I said. “The police knowyou did-


said we would talk about that later.” Mary started to sob – I hate it when they do that – and col-


lapsed on the sofa. I started to walk over to her when a man walked out of the bedroom. I had never seen himbefore. He was 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and looked rock solid. He had


that wavy hair that men like me, who don’t have it, hate. There were those blue eyes, chiseled chin, and straight white teeth. I’m sure he was an actor. “Mom, what did he do to you?” Mom?Whosemom?What was going on here? “Mr.Manning, you have to helpme,”Mary said. “Yes, Iwas


58 MAY 2010 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


I stopped for dinner at a roadside diner in Running Springs. Had a great steak, apple pie and coffee.


blackmailed. Miguel was helping me out by stealing from the garage. I’m guessing, but I think the blackmailers killed him. I know Larry didn’t. He would do anything to protectme, but he did- n’t know about the blackmail.” “What did the blackmailers


have on you?” “My husband is Moncrief


Hartison.We are going through a very sticky divorce. Roger’s father was my first husband – I married right out of high school and Roger came along quickly. Jim, my first


husband was killed in Korea. I metMoncrief a few years after that, andwe gotmarried.He has come to hate Roger.Moncrief is sterile, and he resents the fact that he has a stepson. “In the end, that’s what came between us and is the key for


n’t do it, and the person you were concerned about is dead.” “But youmust helpme. I hired you first.” “No, you didn’t sign a contract and didn’t pay a retainer. I


the divorce.Moncrief is extremely wealthy,”Mary said. “I don’t want anything for me, but I do want Roger to be able to finish medical school. “Moncrief is trying to cut us off.My lawyer says he’s sure


we can win, but a hint of scandal could cause a lot of problems. “That’s why I’m so upset,”Mary said. “This will all come


out andMoncrief will win and Roger will have to leave school. I really need your help,Mr.Manning.” “Well, I guess since Larry loves you so much, he wouldn’t


mind if I spreadmy time around a bit, “ I said. “Moncrief has become unbearable,”Mary said. “Hewould


do most anything to hurt Roger and me. I just don’t know what to do.” “Does he know you’re here?” “No. This is actually my place. Jim’s parents left it to me.


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