Who Didn't Do It?: Inspector Calamari Mysteries, #2

By Richard Vadim

A quirky police detective and his astute partner investigate the murder of a shady businessman.  The problem?  Four people confess to the deed, each with their own plausible version of how it happened.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Vadim
• Release date: Nov 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215601358

Book preview

Who Didn't Do It?

Inspector Calamari Mystery Series #2

Richard Vadim

Copyright © 2022 Richard Vadim

Who Didn’t Do It?

Inspector Calamari Mystery Series

#2

by Richard Vadim

Published by Richard Vadim

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: [e-mail]

This work is a product of the author’s imagination.  Any references to people or places are imagined or used fictitiously.

First Edition

To My Family

Who Didn’t Do It?

An Inspector Calamari Mystery

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – Our Investigators

Chapter 2 – Background

Chapter 3 – Sidney Mint

Chapter 4 – Franklin Mint

Chapter 6 – The Sting

Chapter 7 – The Body

Chapter 8 – Scene of the Crime

Chapter 9 – Treasure Hunt

Chapter 10 - Violated

Chapter 11 - Recovery

Chapter 12 – The Patient

Chapter 13 – Secrets Revealed

Chapter 14 - Resolution

Prologue

A man in formal attire rushes past the glass monolith at an ever-increasing speed.  The wind tears at him as he moves, faster and faster now, oblivious to the fact that within seconds he will become-

-a body-

-whose vacant eyes saw not the sparkling stars, nor the gathering twisted faces.  Its ears heard not the screeches, moans, and cries for help.  Its mouth would speak no more, yet it contained a message that would haunt it.

Chapter 1 – Our Investigators

Sergeant Angel Treadwell of the Philadelphia Police Department was reading a report at her desk in the homicide squad room.  Inspector Dulles A Calamari sauntered up with a cup of coffee in hand.  He plopped down in the chair next to her desk.  What are you reading, Angel?

The final Truedough report, she replied as she closed the folder and slid it toward him.  It looks pretty complete.

The inspector sipped and opened the folder.  Glad to put this one behind us.  Good thing you know French, Angel.

That did come in handy, didn’t it?

More than that.  The way you played dumb and let them babble between themselves, thinking they were speaking in code or something; that was clever.

Yes, they did hang themselves, didn’t they?

Calamari sipped some more, read some more, and then placed the report on the desk, thumping his fingers on it.  I’m thinking … he said softly.

Treadwell studied his perplexed expression.  What?

Calamari looked at her for a second and then returned his gaze to his dancing fingers.

Treadwell pressed.  Well?

He looked sheepishly into her eyes.  I’m thinking … I want you on top of me.

Treadwell gasped, flushed, and slammed to her feet.  Through clenched teeth, she screamed, Dulles!

Calamari jerked back in his seat.  In a moment, Treadwell became aware of the sea of eyes upon her.  She lowered herself into her chair and softly but bitingly spoke.  Dulles, how could you?  I thought you were different from all the others.

Calamari blinked.  What?

Treadwell was scarlet.  And in such a … a gross manner.  I can’t believe it.

But—

I don’t see how we can continue to work together, Dulles.  She slumped back into her chair and crossed her arms.  You’ve ruined everything.

Okay, okay, he said as he held up his hand in surrender, we’ll keep my name on top.  I just thought that you should get top billing since it was really you who solved this case.  Geez, I didn’t see that coming.

Treadwell was red again, but now for a different reason.  She sat forward and clasped her hands.  You mean you were talking about the report?

Weren’t we?

Oh, yes, I’m so sorry.

That’s okay; if you feel that strongly about it, Angel, we’ll leave it the way it is.

Angel cleared her throat and placed a hand on Calamari’s.  I’m sorry for my outburst, Dulles.  That was very unprofessional.  As to the order of our names on the report, that is the proper protocol.  The senior detective is listed first and then the subordinates.

I thought it was time to change that protocol.  I thought we could be the first to press for a change.  I didn’t think it would produce such a pushback from you.  I thought you’d be all for it, being the progressive that you are.

Again, I apologize for my outburst.  My mind was somewhere else.

Where?

No matter.  It was sweet and very professional of you to make such a gesture.  She took a deep breath.  But, to make that change, we’d have to print out the report again, which would not be an environmentally friendly action.

Environmentally friendly?  It’s only the first page we’re talking about.  And don’t we recycle the paper anyway?

But if more people took care not to waste paper, even a single sheet, the recyclers wouldn’t have to spend so much for their machines and the electricity to run them.

Dulles looked hard at his partner.  I didn’t take you for a tree-hugger, Angel.

The world would be a better place if we all were.

Hold your arms out wide, Dulles requested.

What?

Just do it.

Angel hesitated but then held her arms out to the side.

Calamari studied the pose and nodded.  Just as I thought.  It looks like you can hug enough trees for both of us, so I’m off the hook.  How about we catch dinner to celebrate the conclusion of this case?

Angel folded her arms and shook her head.  Maybe I shouldn’t be seen with an anti-environmentalist.

Tell you what, when we finish eating, I’ll wipe my mouth on my sleeve and not use a napkin.  Would that help save the environment?

Angel smirked and shook her head as the phone rang.  She picked up the receiver.   Sergeant Treadwell … I see, the address?  She scribbled on a pad.  Alright, maybe twenty minutes … yes, he’s right here … alright, thanks.

Calamari was scanning through his