Page 200 - Labelle Gramercy, On the Case

Jury-rigged

trying to get in, but the sounds continued. Convinced a Simulian with
murderous intent was just outside, she discharged her weapon twice
into the door about waist-high. The responding officers found no
trace of any intruder other than a raccoon, which, according to
neighbors, had been making the rounds of the garbage cans in the
area late at night. They left the premises about one-fifteen after
witnessing Ms. Bokay taking a pill, probably a tranquilizer.”
“Well, she had every right to be nervous,” I contributed.
“But none to endanger wildlife or her neighbors by reckless
gunfire. Juror five, Chris P. Kriturs, was not at his old address when
you went to check on his safety the day after the fourth murder. He
had moved to the other side of his duplex after his tenant of many
years left at the end of April, frightened by the notoriety of her
landlord. Mr. Kriturs told you he felt safer, although you could see no
difference in the security arrangements between the two units. At any
rate, he had not been disturbed during that Friday night, sleeping
with, as he put it, one eye open. Grant Bloch reported nothing out of
the ordinary, either. I suppose you did not interview his mother.”
“Actually, I tried. She was not coherent.”
“Did you check the rope ladder?”
Once more I almost laughed. “Do you think he might be a closet
Rapunzel, letting his rope down for a secret lover? No, I’m not
serious, Lieutenant. And yes, I checked it. It looked almost new. This
isn’t in the notes, but Mr. Bloch did tell me he tested it, taking little
on faith when it comes to commercial promises. If he were a sky-
diver, I’m sure he would pack his own parachute.”
“Then your notes are not complete. Please advise me of any other
significant facts not contained herein.”
How could I know what she would find of significance?
“Can’t think of any.”
“Then I will move on. Jerry Ko, the ninth juror, slept through the
early hours of that Saturday, but he could not say more than that.”
“No. I believe he is showing early indications of alcoholism. The
guy puts up a macho front, but there is no escaping all the publicity
surrounding this affair. His response to stress is to hit the bottle. I
had trouble waking him Sunday morning for a brief interview. His
roommates no longer wanted to be associated with him, and that
hurt. I don’t think his employer was being very sympathetic, either.

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