Murder Unchained

By Douglas Hall

When Private Investigator Paul West took on his next case, it seemed easy and one that would pay handsomely. All West had to do was compile a profile of Jason Knox for his only son, Matthew, who had no memory of him. His father had walked away from Matthew’s mother when he was an infant and left him the sole beneficiary of his multi-million-dollar estate.
It didn’t take long before he was thrust into one of the most complex cases in a long and illustrious career. It took him to Ebony River, a small town, on Vancouver Island’s east coast that seldom gave a wink or nod to the outside world.
What he found was the two-year-old unsolved murder of Jason Knox and his wife that was still baffling RCMP Sergeant Andy Holt. When West told him why he had come to Ebony River, Holt asked him if he would go undercover and help him solve the case.
West’s investigation concentrated on an eclectic range of residents including: bikers with an agenda, a former member of the town council with a grudge to settle, a small church time had left behind, a farmer’s Sunday dinner that revealed hidden secrets and a mayor desperately trying to get re-elected.
Murder Unchained is a page-turner. It will keep the reader guessing up to the last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781528926652

Douglas Hall

Douglas Hall was born in Toronto, Canada, where he went to school and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Business. He was employed by IBM Canada as Senior Press Officer before embarking on a television career which spanned thirty-three and a half years on air as anchor and panellist. A number of Hall’s shows were syndicated in Canada and the US. He travelled extensively on TV assignments to Russia; Europe; the US; Haiti; Iraq; Egypt and Israel. Hall’s twenty-seven published books include eighteen mysteries, five novels, three children and one historical. He is now writing Murder Confirmed, another Paul West Mystery, his twenty-eighth. Hall is a Writer’s Guild of Canada Life Member, long-standing member of ACTRA and former member of the Toronto Mens Press Club.

Book preview

Twenty-Three

About the Author

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Douglas Hall was appointed Senior Press Officer for IBM Canada Inc. After seven-and-a-half years of extensive media relations, he began a 32-year career as a Canadian radio and television personality. He hosted a number of nationally syndicated Canadian shows on both radio and television including: The Doug Hall Show, Daybeat, The Anatomy of Living, Taking Sides, Your Opinion, Bestsellers and What is Truth as a panel member along with Paul Hellyer, former Canadian Minister of National Defense; CBC personality Lorraine Thomson; and Bob Hesketh, CFRB radio newscaster. Author, broadcaster and newspaper executive, Charles Templeton was moderator. Hall’s TV shows were also telecasted on cable and independent U.S. stations.

Hall was the only multiple screenwriter for the 20th Century/NBC/CTV science-fiction series The Starlost. He was also the executive producer for a number of television musical biographies including: Englebert Humperdinck, Paul Anka, Chet Atkins and Gordon Lightfoot.

Hall’s 25 published books include thirteen mysteries, five novels, three children’s, one historical and three biographies including: The Real Patsy Cline and The Mamas & the Papas. His books have been published in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and the former Soviet Union.

During Hall’s career, he travelled extensively on TV assignments to the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, the Soviet Union, Lebanon, Syria, Jordon, Israel, Haiti and Iraq.

He is a life member of the Writers Guild of Canada, a member of ACTRA, and for a number of years, he was a member of the Toronto Men’s Press Club.

Dedication

After I had finished the second book in The Paul West Mystery Series, Murder Never Sleeps, I just had to bring Paul West back for another mystery. The problem was, which of the plot outlines I had written would I chose? It was Joyce who chose this one because she said I had strong women in it, especially one who dominated everyone she came in contact with and ruined lives, including her own. Recognizing Joyce’s amazing talent for zeroing in on what constitutes strong continuity and plot progression, I began writing. Her encouragement, love and unstinting help made this a book that hopefully will hold the reader to the last page.

Any wonder this is another book for her?

Copyright Information ©

Douglas Hall (2021)

The right of Douglas Hall to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528915342 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528926652 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2021)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Acknowledgements

This is the third Paul West Mystery Series book I have had the privilege to get published by Austin Macauley and to work with the fine editors, graphic artists and production specialists who put it all together. It was a pleasure working with them.

Other Books by Douglas Hall

Principal Characters

*in order of appearance

Anthony Burton – lawyer

Sydney Grant – lawyer

Matthew David Knox – heir

Jason Adam Knox aka B.B. Windsor – author

Lon Fenton Cryderman – town historian and realtor

Coleman Jerome Tusky – biker

James Fennimore ‘Bruiser’ Bell – biker

Ernie Borg – Grumbles owner

Bernice Curtis – mayor

One

IT WAS THE CALL lawyer Anthony Burton was hoping for but he was not about to give away any proprietary information to a disembodied voice over the phone.

Thank you for your call Mr. Knox. I am pleased you received my letter.

It doesn’t tell much outside of asking me to contact you as it could be to my financial benefit.

That is correct.

I am a busy man and would like more information before I commit.

Could you come to my office and I’ll be more than pleased to explain everything.

There was a protracted pause before Matthew Knox replied, Then you won’t provide me with any further information unless we meet. Is that what you are telling me?

I am afraid that is the way it has to be.

Knox’s antenna went up. This could be one of the many scams that want money up front before they gave you any money, they claim to have, waiting for you.

Giving in to his innate curiosity and, knowing that all he had to invest would be his time, he said, Alright, I’ll come to see you.

When would be a convenient time for you?

Tomorrow at two?

You have my office address on the letterhead and please bring a piece of photo ID and your birth certificate.

The request for photo ID was curious enough but when coupled with the birth certificate gave him pause. I suppose you will not tell me why you need my birth certificate?

It is mandatory that I know whom I’m talking to before I reveal the purpose of my letter.

Taking a deep breath, Knox said, I give you fair warning. I don’t like nor trust lawyers and if this is some kind of a con I’ll be out of your office in a minute.

So, noted, and if you cannot prove whom you are the meeting will be a short one.

Without responding Knox said, Tomorrow at two, and the line went dead without so much as a goodbye.

Immediately after hanging up Burton placed a call to Vancouver lawyer Sydney Grant to inform him that Knox had responded to his letter. Grant had known Burton for years and, when he required the services of an Ontario lawyer, he was the first one he called.

BURTON ONLY HAD Knox’s voice to give him a mental image of what he looked like and he was not particularly impressed…it was combative but he decided to reserve judgment until he met him.

His demeanor and attire were in stark contrast to Burton’s usual up-scale, well-healed, clientele who walked through his office door. The only concession Knox made for his meeting was to put on his cleanest pair of well-warn jeans, sweatshirt without a sport team logo, and shaving off his two-day old stubble.

First appearances were an important gauge for Burton. Experience had established that, if a first meeting was to end positively, with more meetings to follow, rapport and mutual trust would have to be established. He reserved judgment and asked if he could record the meeting. His answer was a grunt of approval.

After Burton carefully examined Knox’s photo ID and birth certificate, he handed them to his secretary with instructions to make copies. He began by asking Knox to tell him about himself and begin with his first remembrances as a young child.

Before I tell you anything about myself you tell me what this is all about! Knox replied in a demanding tone.

Just so we can hopefully get on the right footing please tell me why you have such a visceral dislike of lawyers?

Knox made a sucking sound, I was in my early forties, had the world by the tail, making six figures a year as a hedge fund manager. I had a beautiful wife who was an award-winning real estate agent and no children. It all came crashing down when she began an affair with the branch manager and sued me for divorce so she could to marry him. That’s when I met her divorce lawyer. The final blow came when I missed three choking alimony payments and was slapped with a garnishee on my future salary and commissions. When management was served with the garnishee notice I was terminated. I no longer presented the image demanded for front-line financial advisors. After a bitter fight I had lost everything including my half of our home, half of my savings and investments and a choking lawyer’s bill in six figures because I fought the terms her lawyer placed on the table. It was at that point in my pitiful life when I vowed that never again would I possess anything of value that anyone, and especially an ex-wife if I decided to ever get remarried, which is the furthest thing from my mind, could get their grubby hands on.

Understandable, Burton said and opened a file on his desk. He took out a newspaper clipping from The Comox Valley Mercury and handed it to Knox.

Have a read of this. It is the report of a double murder in Ebony River, a small town 29 kilometers south of Campbell River, on Vancouver Island’s east coast.

Burton watched closely for any reaction as Knox read but there was none. When finished Knox pushed the clipping back across the desk and asked with a blank expression, What’s this have to do with why I am here?

Because Mr. Knox one of these victims could be your father. I am sure you noted that his name was Jason Adam Knox.

What proof do you have that there is a connection?

That’s what my colleague, in Vancouver, intends to secure with my assistance and your invaluable help.

This colleague, who might he be and what’s his interest?

His name is Sydney Grant; he is a well-respected lawyer and for six years he has been trying to find Jason Knox’s legal heir so he can probate his will. He contacted me to beat the Ontario bushes, as they say, and guess what I came up with you.

Are you saying that Sydney Grant was this Jason Knox’s lawyer?

I am and he was. He drew up the last will and testament years ago and left everything to his only son named Jason Adam.

Not wanting, at the moment, to give anything more until he had a full picture of the man sitting before him Burton said, I’m curious, what are you doing for a living now that your business career appears to be a thing of the past?

Knox frowned, it was a curious question to be asked as he couldn’t figure out why Burton was so interested in his past or present.

There was no way I could get another job in the investment industry because I knew I would never get a reference from my former employer. The garnishee was the job breaker that hung over my head, in fact it is still in force. I kick myself every time I think about it. I never asked my lawyer to try for a buyout and he never suggested it. When her lawyer said that the alimony would be on-going even if she re-married my lawyer didn’t challenge it. Any wonder that I have such jaded view of lawyers?

It was a loaded question and Burton got around it with, Understandable and no follow-up.

I learned how to whittle as a child and loved the smell of wood. Once things were going well, I installed a woodworking shop in my basement and built small things like tables and chests. It was a great hobby and relieved the stress of having to manage another people’s money.

When my life tanked, I had to do something so I entered the underground working for people who would pay me under the table to build their recreation rooms, wooden decks and renovate their kitchens. I never invoiced or applied for building permits so there was no paper trail for my ex’s lawyer to trace.

Knox’s features hardened. I don’t even have a savings account. All my money goes into a safety deposit box. I rent a bachelor apartment, pay cash every month, and drive a seven-year-old van. My only luxury is the local fitness center and I work out at least five mornings a week sometimes more. His five-foot eleven lean and hard body gave testimony to the benefits of exercise and physical work.

Most ingenious, Burton said with admiration.

Stopping to lock eyes with Burton, Knox asked, Is anything that I tell you privileged?

It would be if I were your lawyer.

Knox reached for his wallet and extracted a five-dollar bill and slid it toward Burton. Accept this as your retainer and you are.

Burton reached for the bill with a wide smile. I shall have my secretary draw up a standard retainer agreement with a retainer of five dollars for you to sign before you leave…It will be a first. Now tell me about your childhood.

I know very little about my early years. I do know I was a ward of Children’s Aid and in and out of foster homes before I was adopted when I was a year-and-a-half. They separated six months later and until I was in my mid-teens I was sent to live with my grandmother and uncle on a farm because. I assume my mother didn’t want me or couldn’t afford to keep me; I never knew which. When I turned 18, I left the farm and came to the city. I was on my own and lucky enough to get a job in the mail room of an investment company. I worked my way up to a decent job and married when I was twenty-eight and…I told you the rest.

What about your mother?

Knox shrugged. I was told she died when I was eleven. I don’t remember much about her. She came up to the farm a couple of times but it was only for a few days each time. As I recall she appeared to be a very lonely and sad woman. She didn’t even hug or kiss me when she left.

Holt was taking notes and Knox talked.

And your father?

Again, Knox shrugged.

Any woman in your life at the present?

Knox stiffened. What’s that got to do with anything?

Probably nothing but it would be helpful to know if there was anyone in a close relationship with you.

As a matter of fact, there is. Her name is Tiffany Roberts. I was building a deck in the back yard for her and we connected. She is 42 and was recovering from a bitter divorce so we had much in common. When I finished the deck, she asked me to renovate her kitchen. It was a big job and took more time than the deck. Next came a new recreation room. By then we had bonded and took the relationship to the next level when she asked me to move in with her. Like her I was totally soured on marriage, and even a platonic relationship. but it is working and we are both happy and content.

Satisfied that he had all the information he needed about the Roberts woman, Holt moved on. Did you ever have any contact with your father’s family?

Knox shook his head. Not so much as a birthday card. I have no idea where they lived, he answered with a dismissive tone.

Very well do you have any question up to now.

I have one. What has a six-year-old double murder, half was across the country, got to do with me?

One of the victims could be your birth father. I am sure you noticed the name in the article, Jason Adam Knox.

I’ll be there are a slew of Jason Adam Knox’s in the country.

Last count there were fifty-seven that my lawyer friend came up with. They all received identical letters like yours and each one that replied were carefully checked out and dismissed. You are the most promising lead.

I don’t know what you say, a flabbergasted Knox replied.

Just indulge me and answer my questions. Once we are through, I shall forward your responses to Sydney Grant and let him take it from there.

Let me stop you right there. The newspaper article said that it was a double murder and the other victim was a female but it doesn’t identify her as Knox’s wife or common law wife. Who was she?

Grant confirmed that she was his long-time companion and her name was Ashley Kennedy.

Did they have any children?

Not that have been found.

What else can you tell me about this Jason Knox in addition to what was in the newspaper article?

I was coming to that. He had a most interesting background. He was a best-selling mystery author and wrote under the non-deplume B.B. Windsor.

Why wouldn’t he use his own name?

It’s not uncommon for bestselling authors to do that. Earle Stanley Gardner wrote under a number of pen names including A.A. Fair and John Le Carre, the brilliant spy writer’s real name is David Cornwell.

"If you are ever looking for a cracking good read, get a copy of B.B. Windsor’s Murder Isn’t the End. It was picked by a British company and made into a film that did exceptionally well in the UK and America."

Well I’ll be damned; I saw that one and liked it. You mean this Jason Knox really wrote it?

Burton nodded.

There was no mention of it in that article. What proof do you have?

Sucking in a lungful of air Burton replied, Grant has all the proof he needs believe me. He is not a man who wastes doesn’t time on unfounded speculations. His strongest piece of evidence came from the RCMP’s lead investigator Sergeant Andrew Holt. During his homicide investigation he came across Jason Adam Knox’s last will and testament with Holt’s name on it. He immediately contacted him as at the time he wasn’t aware of the murders. He offered his full cooperation and confirmed that Knox had appointed him executor and trustee. The will had been drawn up nearly forty years ago and was simple and straightforward. There were two beneficiaries: his common-law-wife Ashley Kennedy and his only son Matthew David Knox, the name on your birth certificate. He was to get 25% of the proceeds with the balance going to Ashley Kennedy.

I have a question, Knox stopped in mid-sentence, forget it. I have no right to ask such a question.

Not at all, ask away.

What’s in it for you?

Hold laughed. Billable hours. There is a provision for them to be paid upon probate.

Are you telling me that every that every Matthew David Knox who replied to the letter I received was thoroughly checked out?

That’s correct.

I have to assume that all were dismissed and I am the last one.

Holt nodded again.

Were all asked to give blood samples for a DNA check?

Yes, and not one matched Jason Knox’s.

Are you going to ask me to give a sample?

That was the next thing I was going ask. Would you be agreeable?

Why not!

Burton reached for his phone. There was a brief conversation before the receiver was returned to its cradle. That was the lab on the bottom floor of this building. They can take you immediately. It won’t take long. I’ll have them send the blood sample to police headquarters and have the forensic lab make the test with Knox’s DNA which will be in a data base. I’ll ask it to be fast tracked and I should have an answer within two days. The moment I hear the results I’ll call.

Burton stood up and offered his hand, I’m curious. You haven’t asked the question that most of the Matthew David Knox’s asked, sometimes it would the first question.

What is that?

How much is the bequest worth?

Last I heard it was closing in on four and a half million and growing with royalties from his published books.

Knox shook his head. You mean if I am proven to be the legitimate heir it’s mine?

That is exactly what I mean. Gooday Matthew, I’ll be in touch.

Two

SYDNEY GRANT’S DAY began on a high note when Anthony Burton called to tell him that Matthew Knox and Jason Adam Knox’s DNA matched.

Have you told Matthew yet?

Yes.

What was his response?

Delighted, of course. He and his lady are on their way to see me as we speak.

Whatever for?

"They have had two days to digest what it all means and have a plan. They want to go to Vancouver to meet with you and then on to