Sex, Murder, Betrayal: Revised

By Frederick Bruce

A professional business relationship unexpectedly leads to an impromptu sexual encounter. This evolves into an illicit affair that continues over a period of time. The experience propels one of the leading characters to be considered a person of interest in a murder investigation.

Sex, Murd

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frederick Bruce Brockie
• Release date: Sep 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781959182016

Frederick Bruce

While working in accounting for a manufacturing company, Frederick Bruce pursued his education and graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Business. After a few years, following his graduation, he entered the world of self-employment. He became a consultant to small businesses. The clients ranged in size from one to ten people. Many of the clients had unique skills in their trade, but limited skills in management, marketing, taxes and accounting. He worked with them in these areas to enable them to stay in business. His consulting career consisted of working with these clients to help them understand that their skills in their specialized talents were not enough. They had to “wear all the hats” in order to stay in business. Wrapped up in these individual endeavors are the dreams, frustrations and achievements they encountered. Working with these clients gave Frederick Bruce the knowledge and understanding, on an individual basis, of what it takes to succeed. It uniquely qualifies him to tell their stories.

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ISBN 978-1-959182-00-9 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-959182-01-6 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Frederick Bruce

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Lone Wildcat Books

[phone]

100 Oceangate F-12

Long Beach, CA 90802

Printed in the United States of America

Dedicated to Michael Angelo Panzella,

A man who overcame criticism and obstacles in pursuing his dreams

Contents

Part 1: Scottsdale, Arizona 

Chapter 1: Telephone Call to the Police 

Part 2: Back in Time 

Chapter 1: Career Beginnings 

Chapter 2: David’s Move to His Own Business 

Chapter 3: Calling on Premier Equipment 

Chapter 4: Manzo Printing & Graphics 

Chapter 5: Contact from Premier Equipment 

Chapter 6: Referral from Premier Equipment 

Chapter 7: Counseling Premier Equipment 

Chapter 8: Building an Accounting & Tax Practice 

Chapter 9: David and Carole 

Chapter 10: Carole’s Fitness Program 

Part 3: Murder Investigation 

Chapter 1: Investigative Team 

Chapter 2: Crime Scene Investigation 

Chapter 3: Continued Investigation 

Chapter 4: Interview of David Wilson 

Chapter 5: Discussion with Mrs. Benson 

Chapter 6: Meeting with David Wilson 

Chapter 7: David’s Investigation 

Chapter 8: David’s Dilemma 

Chapter 9: Interview with Matt Simmons 

Chapter 10: Prosecution 

Chapter 11: Legal Proceedings 

Chapter 12: Change in Plans 

Part One

Scottsdale, Arizona

Chapter One

Telephone Call to the Police

At 10:34 p.m. a telephone call was received by the police department in Baytown Beach, California. Baytown Beach is an affluent coastal city in Orange County in Southern California.

The call originated from the Bell Tower Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. The receptionist answered, Hello, Baytown Beach Police Department. May I help you?

Yes, my name is Carole Benson. I’m a resident of Baytown Beach. But I’m calling from Scottsdale, Arizona where I am attending a seminar. I tried to call my husband at home, but the call went to voicemail. Then I tried to call him on his cell phone but that also went to voicemail. I’m getting concerned because he would always be at home at this time."

Could he be working late, Ms. Benson?

We have our own business in Baytown Beach, but he never works late. Whenever he had work to do, he brought it home, she responded. I’m worried that he may have fallen at the office or he might have had a medical problem. Could I request a welfare check at the office?

"What is your husband’s name?’ the receptionist inquired.

Charlie. Charles Benson, she answered.

And what is you home address? the receptionist further inquired.

675 Lone Beach Drive in Baytown Beach. And what is the office address?"

It’s 815 Oak Street in Baytown Beach. It’s called Premier Equipment Lease & Rentals.

In response to the receptionist’s inquiry, Carole then provided the business, home and cell phone numbers.

Have you tried to call the office? asked the receptionist.

No. I mean, yes, but there was no answer, Carole responded.

We will dispatch an inquiry and a patrol car will be sent to the home… Before she was able to complete her response, she was interrupted. Send them to the office first, Carole directed. It’s just not like him not to be at home and not respond to a telephone call.

Could he have gone for a late dinner? asked the receptionist.

No. That would be unusual for him, she responded.

The patrol being sent out will check both locations, assured the receptionist.

But he’s not answering his cell phone, responded Carole.

Okay, where can we reach you?

I’m staying at the Bell Tower Hotel in Scottsdale. Room 1424.

You’ll receive a telephone call following a check of the two locations, stated the receptionist.

Thank you. I’ll be waiting. Have them go to the business first, she repeated.

Thank you, Ms. Benson.

After the shift commander was apprised of the situation, a police unit was dispatched for what was described as a welfare check. As directed, the first location to be checked was the business address. The dispatched unit with two police officers approached the business on Oak Street.

They immediately observed that interior lights were on in the office. After exiting the police vehicle, they both approached the business unit. One officer approached the door while the second officer remained a safe distance behind. The first officer proceeded to knock at the door.

No answer. After a few minutes, he tried the door. It was unlocked. He then entered the business and called out, Police. Is anyone here. No answer. The two officers proceeded cautiously, walking into a reception area. Again, calling out, Police. Is anyone here? Again, no answer.

The two officers unfastened their holsters and each had their hand on their revolvers. They observed a hallway with three open doors and one closed door. One of the offices was lighted, while two were dark.

As the first officer peered into the lighted room, he observed what appeared to be an adult male lying on a leather sofa across from a desk. He then signaled the second officer to look into each of the darkened rooms. One was an office, the second was a conference room. Both were empty. He then cautiously opened the closed door. It was a washroom. It was also unoccupied. The second officer then signaled to the first officer that the rooms were cleared. He then walked behind the first officer.

The first officer then called out, Mr. Benson, police officers. No response. He then approached the unresponsive adult male and observed that he was not breathing. He checked his carotid artery and said, He’s dead. A call was then placed to the police station. Within a short period of time, several police vehicles arrived. Police tape was utilized and a crime scene was established. The coroner was en route to the location.

A telephone call was placed by the shift commander at the police station to Scottsdale. Hello, Ms. Benson. A police unit was dispatched to the business that you informed us about. Unfortunately, a deceased male was found at that location.

It’s my husband, isn’t it?

We can’t say. The coroner’s office will have somebody there to make a positive identification.

I’m leaving right now, she said. I’ll be taking the next flight back to Orange County as soon as I can.

After the coroner arrived at the scene, it was determined that the deceased was that of Charles Benson. In a preliminary determination, it appeared that it was a homicide. Mr. Benson died from a broken neck at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Part Two

Back in Time

Chapter One

Career Beginnings

Most of David Wilson’s classmates in the business curriculum at college were looking to enter their careers with large corporations. For long term security and financial rewards, that appeared to be the desired direction for them. Most majored in finance, management or marketing. Entry level salaries appeared to be appealing.

However, David once read in a book by a successful entrepreneur that you will never get rich by working for someone else. Although not true in all situations, it rang true to David, who had very independent leanings. He felt that one had to take risks. If something didn’t work out for him, then he could try something else. Nothing was forever. And there were no guarantees.

David’s father was employed by an insurance company throughout his working years. Although he did not feel completely satisfied in his career, he made no changes in his employment. He felt that his position with the company gave him a feeling of security. He looked forward to his retirement. Although David understood his father’s goals, he could not see himself taking that path in his own lifetime.

David was encouraged by his father to pursue a business education. He was convinced that it would be the best way for David to secure steady employment. Although David was open with his plans to be independent, his father was pleased with the educational direction that David was taking. When David spoke about being an independent businessman, his father would smile and say, You look at things that way now, but you’ll eventually change your thinking.

Thinking that David was young and naive, his father was convinced that David would eventually see the world as he saw it. For that reason, David’s father never presented a strong approach to change David’s thinking. He just felt that the business environment, as he knew it, would change David’s thinking. David’s business education would enable him to have the necessary tools when headed in the direction that his father thought would be beneficial