Alive and Well

By Tom Sullivan

Eric Southerland awoke in a pool of blood on a houseboat after a party hosted by his boss. He was soon identified as a person of interest in the possible murder of Maury Crouse and as an accomplice in a fraudulent investment scheme. His only allies, persons who believed him innocent, were his father and a poker buddy. Fortunately for Eric, the poker buddy was Teddy Sergeant, a world class private investigator. Teddy and his entourage soon set out to clear Eric of all wrongdoing and return billions to the investors bilked in a Ponzi scheme.

This sequel to Drawing Dead showcases the many talents of Teddy, Fiona Rourke and both new and old friends as they search for the elusive Maury Crouse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tom Sullivan
• Release date: Apr 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311540188

Tom Sullivan

Tom Sullivan is the author and illustrator of Out There, I Used to Be a Fish, and Blue vs. Yellow. Growing up he loved to read comic books and watch true crime TV shows, and now he feels lucky to be able to combine those interests in Unsolved Case Files. Tom resides with his family in Boston, MA. You can visit him online at www.thomasgsullivan.com.

Book preview

Maury Crouse had been a good name. It served its purpose well. He wouldn’t worry about his parents or his distant relatives being upset that he abandoned his heritage. There would be no remorse over the death of Maury Crouse. There would likely be no mourning from those who worked or played with him. They would all distance themselves from him. He came to grips with the concept long ago and today was just the culmination of his plan. It was the final process that would forever make Maury Crouse a memory; a ghost.

Now he would become Viktor Solov. He met the man three years earlier and noticed the resemblance. Both men were about the same age, same height, and, while Solov outweighed him by ten pounds, close enough in weight. Crouse befriended Viktor and learned he had no family in America and only distant cousins in Russia. His now deceased parents came to the United States and became citizens before Viktor was born. Crouse employed him but paid him under the table, leaving no money trail, allowing Viktor to avoid paying taxes. Together they made Viktor Solov virtually invisible. Occasionally Viktor was assigned the task to portray Crouse even though Solov was under strict orders to never mention Maury’s name or the fact that they knew of each other. Viktor was in need of major dental work so, two years earlier, Crouse allowed the man to have dental implants and use a corporate credit card in Crouse’s name to pay for the major work. Viktor was instructed to tell the dentist his name was Maury Crouse. With his patsy a willing accomplice, Crouse had his exit plan in place. He accumulated enough of the man’s DNA from hair, sweat and saliva to plant at the right places at the right time.

The evening before leaving for Nevada, Crouse transferred the entire remaining holdings of Crouse Investments LLC to an off shore account. The account was in the name of Eric Southerland. The night of the party, Viktor was instructed to wait quietly for the guests to leave while hiding out of sight. When the last of his clients departed, Maury summoned Solov to board the boat.

Viktor, do you trust me?

Yes. You have saved me. I owe you my life.

Yes, and that’s what you’ll now give back to me.

I need you to wear these clothes. All of them; even the underwear. I need you to assume my identity one more time.

Looking thoroughly confused, Viktor complied.

Together they sat on the boat, now at the lakes deepest point, and drank to celebrate Maury Crouse’s greatest gambit. The stillness of the lake and the glow of the moonlight created a surreal calming aura that didn’t escape Maury Crouse’s attention. The usual smell of fish and lake were absent. As the two men sat silently nursing cognac, Crouse reviewed his life in his mind, mentally composing his own eulogy.

Solov had no way of knowing his drink was laced with a cocktail of Rohypnol and other sleep-inducing drugs. After confirming Viktor was unconscious, Maury, lifting and holding Solov with his left hand by the nape of Viktor’s neck, dipped the man’s hands into the fish tank and watched as his pet piranhas feasted on the man’s fingerprints. When Solov awoke enough to pull his hands from the tank Crouse grabbed him by his hair, swung his head back and slit his throat with a serrated fishing knife in one left-to-right, back handed motion. The spray from the severed arteries stained the outside of the tank. As soon as the fish completed their task, Maury dragged the now limp body into the cabin where a drugged Eric Southerland lay asleep on the floor. Crouse completed the dressing of Solov with watch, rings, keys and wallet. Carefully choreographing the positioning of the blood drippings from Solov, Crouse dragged the man back on deck, surgically smashed his face with a hammer and pushed him over the side.

Remembering every surface the now dead man touched, Crouse wiped each one clean of any fingerprints. With a sense of regret and pain, he paused before he crushed his pet fish and tossed the remains into the lake. He had fond memories of watching the fish devour bits of flesh on those rare occasions when human remains were available. Better his prized pets become chum for the lake creatures than evidence for a forensic team. He meticulously cleaned the blood splatter from the fish tank, placed the weapon in Eric’s hand and, donning full SCUBA gear and carrying a trash bag of evidence, he went over the side, carefully leaving a perfect thumb and fingerprint on the railing as he tumbled backwards into the lake. .Beneath the water, he swam with one arm dragging the body of Viktor Solov and the trash bag until they reached the crevice Crouse created months before. Careful not to chip even one of the expensive dental implants he completed the pounding of the man’s face with a rock, insuring it was totally unrecognizable. The body fit nicely into the space. Lodged between dirt and rock it would likely take divers weeks to locate it.

The parked car was awaiting his arrival and, after opening the trunk, Crouse toweled himself dry and changed into jeans and a tee shirt. Driving well below the speed limit, Crouse disposed of the bag of evidence at a rest stop, travelled to Phoenix and boarded an airplane with a new identity. He used the name James Southerland. From Phoenix, he covered his tracks with flights to Chicago O’Hare and then to Miami. Arriving in the Cayman Islands, a change of identification was in order. This forged passport indicated Crouse was now Eric Southerland.

Withdrawing hundreds of millions in cash is not an easy task. Crouse/Solov/Southerland successfully laundered one billion, seven hundred million from the account over the past two years but needed to complete the final transfer. He was not about to leave eight hundred million sitting in this account. His plans were to leave ten million, just enough to implicate young Eric, but no more.

The banker knew this money was tainted. He saw enough laundering of assets over the years to recognize what was happening. Maury realized he knew but also was banking on his discretion. A cash withdrawal of this size was out of the question, so Maury/Viktor opted for a wire transfer direct to the jeweler. Within a few hours, he placed over seven hundred and fifty million in diamonds in a suitcase. If the jeweler were to cooperate with authorities, he would report the purchase was made by one Eric Southerland.

* * *

CHAPTER ONE

The day began with less than favorable circumstances. Fiona’s drive from her condo to her office, a short six blocks, was usually very uneventful. Today was different. The young driver of the beat-up Chevy nearly caused an accident when he slammed on his brakes in the middle of Sixth Street to shout at the young girl walking on the sidewalk. Fiona stopped in time but spilled her coffee down the front of her green silk blouse and the peach suit. Why these macho Latino men thought girls actually enjoyed the attention was difficult for Fiona to understand. Did these girls offer any encouragement? The day would be trying enough without this latest obstacle. At least she kept a change of clothes at the office so she wouldn’t have to endure the inquisitions about the coffee stains on her clothes. She found some napkins in the glove box and blotted at the wet coffee as she entered the elevator for the short ride to the second floor.

"What happened? Liz asked.

I made the mistake of driving behind the young ass who owns the road. Hold any calls until I can change clothes. I’m pretty sure I have that light blue suit in my office closet.

You only have one message and I didn’t recognize the name.

Liz was the receptionist at Crawford & Rourke for three years now, and Fiona would be lost without her. She knew every major client and could remember people who visited the office years before even if they never retained the firm’s legal services.

Fiona glanced at the message and didn’t recognize the name. She left it on her desk and quickly found the change of clothes and shed her coffee stained suit and blouse. They were likely ruined. The dark blue blouse and powder blue suit were a much better combination. It brought out the blue in her eyes and contrasted her blonde hair nicely. Finding a suitable pair of shoes, she was now ready to begin her workday.

Did Mr. Southerland say how he was referred, or what exactly he needs?

No, he didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t ask. He seemed to be rushed and simply said he needed you to call as soon as you arrived. He hung up before I could get any details.

Let’s get him on the phone and find out.

Mr. Southerland, this is Liz with Crawford and Rourke. Ms. Rourke is returning your call. Hold and I’ll put you through to her.

Hello Mr. Southerland, I understand you called this morning. How can I help you?

Thanks for returning my call. You can call me Jimmy. All my friends do. We may need your services. I have a son who has got himself in some trouble and may need a criminal attorney.

What sort of trouble?

He’s a person of interest in a possible murder investigation. He thinks he may be a victim of a frame. He thinks he’s being set up by someone.

If I may ask Mr. Southerland...

Jimmy, he interrupted.

Okay, Jimmy. Can I ask you how you were referred to this office?

My son plays poker, not professionally, but he played in the World Series of Poker last year and he followed your handling of that case involving Teddy Sergeant. He played with Teddy in two of the events and considers him a friend. He said you were the best criminal attorney in Las Vegas and I should ask you to represent him.

Who said I was the best attorney in Las Vegas, your son or Teddy?

My son told me. I assume Teddy told him.

I don’t usually specialize in death related criminal cases. That was an exceptional circumstance. A dear friend of mine asked me personally to get involved. I doubt I would have taken on Mr. D’Angelo, Mr. Sergeant’s friend, without her asking me.

Eric told me the whole story. That’s his name, Eric Southerland. He’s a good kid and I’m sure Teddy would tell you he couldn’t possibly be a killer, said Jimmy.

You said he was a person of interest. Do you think the police consider him a suspect?

Eric thinks they consider him the only suspect. Don’t you consider Teddy Sergeant a dear friend? If he were to ask you, would you take the case?

The line went quiet as Fiona mulled over the question. Her relationship with Teddy Sergeant was what poker players called ‘polarized’. Poker players often saw an opponent as polarized when it was thought they either held a monster hand or just a naked bluff. The relationship between Teddy and Fiona was just as either/or. It varied from intense lover who gave her strength and made her feel safe, to a man who robbed her of any innocence and changed her life forever.

She enjoyed her life before Teddy entered it. It was a smooth pond with very few ripples and never a splash. Teddy had been a cannonball.

Yes, Teddy is a very dear friend, Fiona replied. There she said it. She did love the man but wasn’t completely sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. They agreed to see other people after a big argument over the Christmas holidays. Fiona avoided dating anyone in the two months since the blowup and Teddy’s sister didn’t think Teddy saw anyone either.

I’m actually calling to make an appointment. Will you at least let us come in and talk? Perhaps you can check with Teddy in the meantime. He’ll tell you that Eric is a fine young man.

Fine, but understand my fee will be high and other expenses in a case like this can become huge. Do you or your son have those kinds of resources? Fiona always discussed her fee early and she was not about to do any pro bono criminal work.

My son is a wealthy young man. In addition to a lucrative poker record, he’s a stockbroker. The man who allegedly was murdered was his boss. His bonus alone this past year should cover any fees and expenses. We can give you a retainer if you like. We transferred most of his money into my name today. He’s afraid the authorities might freeze his accounts.

Why would they do that?

The firm is under investigation for fraud and part of the frame seems to be an attempt to implicate Eric. He swears he knew nothing about it until last Friday when the FBI and Postal investigators showed up at the office. Apparently his boss was running a Ponzi scheme. Eric is just sick over this. It looks like many of his clients; most of them personal friends, have lost a lot of money. The Postal inspectors believe Eric may have been in on it with his boss, Maury Crouse. Eric says he never even suspected the investments he was selling weren’t real. He was duped just like his clients. There is absolutely no reason why he would do anything like this. He isn’t money motivated and has more than he needs. Jimmy Southerland proclaimed.

Hold on. I’ll have Liz book you a slot. She knows my schedule better than I do. Fiona knew she’d need to talk with Teddy. If she did take this case he would be invaluable. He understood investments and would likely teach her as much about investment fraud as he did about poker. Perhaps Teddy would join her in the interview and agree to work on the case as her investigator. It was his previous job before he became a world class poker player and savvy investor. Like it or not, Fiona needed Teddy Sergeant, and it was probably time for one of them to make a move; either reconciliation or closure.

* * *

CHAPTER TWO

Teddy heard the phone but chose to ignore it. The custom ringtone let him know it was the office of Crawford and Rourke, but if it were Fiona, she would more likely call him from her cell, and that rang with a different ringtone. Besides, he was two under par, and this approach shot to an easy pin had birdie written all over it. He was up on his bet but wanted to take as much money from this blowhard as the golf gods would allow. He didn’t need any distractions right now, and a conversation with Fiona could easily turn into a major complication.

Is that your phone? the big blowhard asked. Aren’t you going to answer it? It could be important.

I know who it is, and it can wait until after I relieve you of some more cash.

His eight iron shot landed six feet past the flagstick and spun back within two feet. Not quite a tap in, but close. Once he dropped this putt he’d be five up with five to play, dormie on the match play bet and six up on the medal or stroke play bet. Teddy liked to bet both ways when he played with fish. It was more due to his frugal nature. When he paid for eighteen holes he wanted to play them all to get his monies worth. His tendency was to end match play bets early.

A member at two different exclusive Las Vegas country clubs, he used the handicap established at Paiute Golf course when betting with the folks from out of town. It was difficult enough to give Teddy a handicap of four while he played to a plus two at both his private courses. He always let the fish choose the course they wanted to play and still managed to take their money. He normally met these fellows just like he met Mr. Blowhard, at a poker table. It worked pretty much the same every time. After taking money from them playing poker, they all wanted a chance at redemption on the golf course.

I’ll have to write you a check, said Mr. Blowhard, as they sat in the clubhouse about to order drinks.

I don’t take checks. There’s an ATM just down that hallway, or I suppose that Rolex you wore last night would cover your debt. It is real isn’t it? Even better yet you can wire transfer it to me. Teddy passed his smart phone to the red faced man and remarked, By all means, use my phone.

You have a message, the blowhard said, passing the phone back to Teddy.

Teddy took the phone and retrieved the message from Liz. Fiona wanted his help on a case and his opinion on whether Eric Southerland was capable of murder. She also asked if Teddy could stop by her office later in the day.

As the blowhard completed the transfer using Teddy’s phone, Teddy remembered the young poker player from the past years World Series of Poker. The kid was enamored with Teddy and asked him if he would teach him some finer points of the game. They became friends and, with Teddy’s help, young Eric enjoyed a profitable Series, cashing in multiple events and making one final table.

During a New Years visit to Vegas, Eric pitched Teddy on some Municipal bonds his firm had acquired, but Teddy declined. Teddy knew Eric worked for a Broker as a financial advisor and was accumulating clients at the poker table. Teddy first considered it in poor taste when Eric would pass his business card to a player after folding his hand, stating that he might need someone to help him invest his winnings. After watching Eric continue it a number of times, Teddy just chuckled and thought it a subtle way to advertise.

Back in his car and on his way home, Teddy called Fiona’s cell.

Hello Teddy, I take it you got my message.

Do you have dinner plans? I’ll be happy to share my insight on Eric Southerland over a nice meal, if you’re free. You can tell me why you need to know.

Fiona thought for a minute before responding.

Why don’t you pick up one of those delicious pizzas and come to my office around seven?

I’ll be there. He knew Fiona very well. An office meal meant this would be a business meeting while they ate. It would not, could not be considered a date. Teddy loved her more than life, but she could be so stubborn. Any reconciliation would not likely take place tonight.

Teddy was smitten the first time he saw Fiona. She was to become his friend Phil D’Angelo’s lawyer and Teddy worked in tandem with her in the role of private investigator. Together they proved Phil innocent of a charge of manslaughter. Working together, they developed a relationship most people dream of. They were very good together, and all the people in their lives agreed they were a perfect match. Personal history, however, caused both Teddy and Fiona to become extremely cynical and demanding in their quest to find a suitable partner. Both were burned before and were reluctant to feel the pain of lost love ever again. If it weren’t for the scumbag Arturo Morales, they might be married by now. His beating and disfiguring Teddy’s sister Cathy and subsequent attempt to kill all of Teddy’s family led to his death, but also provided a wedge between Teddy and Fiona. Teddy knew the timeline of events began when Morales cut his sister’s face and beat her with a baseball bat over a twenty dollar bill. Fiona believed it escalated when Teddy and Las Vegas Metro Police detective Gil Roberts placed illegal drugs in Morales possession and falsely testified at his trial. Morales’ revenge ended after his escape from prison and the assault on Teddy’s home, and, ultimately, Arturo’s death.

~ ~ ~

Teddy arrived promptly at seven armed with a large pizza with the works and a six pack of beer.

No anchovies, Teddy proclaimed as he stowed the beers in Fiona’s mini fridge. Giving up chocolate, or have you eaten them all?

Teddy was well aware of her addiction to chilled Three Musketeers candy bars.

A little of both. I simply haven’t refilled my refrigerator, but I could stand to lose a pound or two.

You don’t need to worry about your weight. You look good to me. So, what has my friend Eric done that brings you into his orbit?

The police think his boss was murdered, and he’s a person of interest. Eric thinks he’s being set up to take the fall. I need you to find out what you can and also tell me if Eric is likely to be innocent of any wrongdoing. The intriguing side story is that his boss was under investigation for fraud. There may be a whole lot of people with motive. If I take the case, would you consider being an investigator again, or is your poker and golf going to get in the way?

Eric is a good kid. He reminds me a lot of myself at that age. There are similarities. A career in the world of finance, facing a decision whether to play poker as a profession, just being an independent twenty something who is smarter than most and wants to blaze his own trail.

So you don’t think he’s capable of anything criminal because he’s a good kid, or because, like you, he’s more than capable? Fiona asked with a smile.

Ouch, replied Teddy. Initially I’d say he’s not guilty, but I haven’t seen any evidence or talked with him. I doubt he’d lie to me, and if he did, I think I’d know.

We have an appointment tomorrow at two with Eric and his father. Can you make it?

Teddy thought a minute before answering.

It means I’ll have to cancel a golf match. Is this a paying gig, or am I expected to work pro bono?

If I take the case, you’ll be paid.

Okay, I’ll be here at two. So how have you been?

Too busy.

I’ve missed you. Do you ever think we could try again?

I’m not sure this is a good time to try and rekindle anything. How about we address our relationship after this case is settled?

Ah yes, Fiona’s rules. You know I don’t always obey rules.

Or laws, if I remember correctly.

I can’t change the past, Fiona, but you know that was an extraordinary situation.

I apologize. Actually I have put that behind us, or at least I think I have. I know he was an evil man and you did what you thought best to protect your sister and your friend, but I am a member of the court and laws do matter. I try not to take on clients when I know they’re guilty. I do believe every person deserves the best criminal defense they can have, but I don’t want to be the one defending someone who should be punished.

Should Gil and I have been punished?

If things occurred differently, I might not have been put in the position of having to defend myself. All I’m saying is, actions have consequences and often innocent people pay a price when laws are broken. Your actions ultimately led to me paying a stiff price.

I told you about Gil and me setting up Arturo Morales for that drug bust because I didn’t want to ever lie to you. I explained why we did it. If we didn’t do what we did, my sister would very likely be dead. You know what that monster did to her. I’m not proud of what we did, but I’m not sorry either. In fact, I’m glad he’s dead. I just wish it was me who shot him.

Are you still going to move back into your house when all the remodeling is complete? Fiona asked. She told him she