Mini Mystery
Someone had stolen $25,000 from Stanley Ferris . . . can Detective Sara Brault crack the case?
Stanley Ferris, a cautious man, was the perfect fit for owning an insurance agency. In Detective Sara Brault’s judgment, this made him seem unlikely to have $25,000 in cash just lying around his office.Q. Why did the computer go to the doctor? A. Because it had a virus!
“It was for my wife,” he explained. “She’s always dreamed of a lake cottage. A long-time client, an older gentleman, offered to sell me the perfect lot.” “For $25,000?” Stanley nodded. “In cash?” Stanley nodded again. “He does everything in cash. Doesn’t trust banks. Said his father got burned, and it’s not happening to him.”
The burglary call had come in at eight that morning. Stanley said he arrived early to open the office and found the window slightly raised, his desk drawers pulled out and the envelope with the money missing.
“Who knew about the money?”
“No one! That’s why I thought it‘d be safe to leave it here rather than carrying it around. It’s not a good idea to carry large sums,” he added. “I could give you statistics.”
Sara rose to check the window. It had been raised about five inches, and a breeze blew through the screen. There was dust on the outside sill, but the inside looked freshly cleaned.
“Do you have cleaning people?”
Stanley nodded.
“Mrs. Bradshaw was in last night, but she’d never take anything. I’ve known her for years.”
The office smelled clean. The wastebasket was empty except for a few tissues and a torn bank envelope that likely held the cash. If Mrs. Bradshaw had turned to theft, it was apparent she had waited until she finished cleaning to start. “Who else has access to the office?” “My partner, Nick Chapman, and Emily, our assistant. But Nick was out yesterday, and Emily is at the beach this week.” “You didn’t tell them about the cash?” “No,” he replied, “but I told my partner I was buying a lot. He knew the seller because he’s one of our clients.” Sara got addresses and headed out to interview the cleaning lady and Nick Chapman. Mrs. Bradshaw gave her a look of disappointment. “Everyone blames the cleaning lady. I have three people working for me, they’re all bonded, and I do Ferris’ office myself.”
“And you cleaned it last evening?”
She nodded. “I was done by ten.”
“Did you perhaps see a bank envelope?”
“Look, I sweep, I do the windows, I empty the trash. If it’s not on the floor, I don’t see it, and there was no envelope on the floor.”
Nick Chapman answered his door wrapped in a blanket and stifled a sneeze with a tissue.
“Envelope?” Nick frowned and shook his head. “I’ve been home for three days, so I haven’t been around to see any. What did he lose? He’s usually careful about things.”
“Nothing that can’t be dealt with.”
“Oh,” Nick said, concern entering his voice. “I hope that doesn’t interfere with his getting that property. He’s been excited about that for a week now.”
“No,” Sara said. “It shouldn’t interfere.”
Sara had promised a report as soon as one was possible. Stanley was in his office, sunk in gloom.
“Is there any hope?” he asked when she came in.
“I have to gather the evidence,” Sara said, “and it may take a scientific test, but we have a good lead.”