Behind The Lies by Mark Beckner (top ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“We found one of your prints on the gun Justin.”

Now Justin knows the detective is bluffing. He had made sure to thoroughly wipe the gun down.

“Impossible,” says a defiant King, “I never touched any gun. I don’t even know where he kept that damn gun.”

“We also know you were having an affair with Naomi,” continues Masters.

This shocks King a bit, as now he is not sure if the detective is bluffing, or if he actually knows. Whichever it is, he cannot admit to an affair. For the first time, he feels a bit nervous.

“I was not having an affair with Naomi or anyone else. That’s insulting you would even say that. Who told you that nonsense?”

“We have our sources.”

“I think you are lying,” says King. “Naomi wouldn’t even tell me who she was having an affair with. All I know is she was having one and told Ryan about it.”

Masters leans in toward King and challenges him, “I think Naomi was going to tell Ryan it was you and you had to kill her to save your partnership.”

“We were not having an affair and I had nothing to do with Naomi’s death,” says King in a raised voice. “You’ve already arrested Ryan for the murder, and now you’re telling me you think I did it? Arrest me then and I will sue the both of you and the city, because I know you have no evidence against me.”

“Justin, if you were there, we will find out,” warns Masters. “I hope you are telling us the truth.”

“I certainly am.”

“One more thing,” says Tippen, “are you sure you didn’t make or receive any calls from anyone that night?”

“Not that I recall. That was over a week ago now.”

“Okay, thank you.”

The interview concludes and King is allowed to leave.

Tippen turns to Masters, “you pushed him real hard, and he stuck to his story.”

“Yeah, I wanted to see what kind of reaction we got or whether he would admit to being there. Except for the now revived memory of our drunk suspect, we have nothing to indicate anyone else was there.”

Back at the office that afternoon, Lisa provides King the language from the partnership agreement he was looking for. The partnership agreement includes a morals clause to protect both partners in the event one of them does something so egregious as to harm the reputation or profitability of the company. The clause states:

Partners will not engage in activities or conduct which is harmful to the reputation or business activities of the partnership. These activities include immoral acts which become public, misappropriation of company funds, or the commission of any serious felony. If a partner engages in such activities and causes harm to the company, the other partner(s) may terminate the partnership with said offender. The partner removed from the partnership will be entitled to compensation for his/her share of the company. If a settlement amount is not agreed upon through negotiation, all partners agree to settle the dispute through arbitration.

“What do you need this for Justin?” asks Lisa.

“Ryan has been arrested for first-degree murder, Lisa. This case is now getting lots of media attention. Headlines scream KC Spark Electric Owner Arrested for Murdering Wife. You’ve gotten some of the calls, customers are concerned. I’ve gotten three calls this week of clients wanting to back out of contracts.”

“Yes,” says Lisa, “but he has not been convicted of anything. I still don’t believe he did it.”

“You are one of the only ones Lisa. The evidence against him keeps mounting. I need to protect this business.”

This disturbs Lisa, as she believes King is acting too quickly in planning to take over the business. It’s only been a little over a week, thinks Lisa. Shouldn’t he be more supportive of Ryan right now?

Late Thursday afternoon, Tippen receives the ballistics report from their firearms expert. The report confirms both bullets were fired from the five-shot Smith and Wesson revolver found at the scene and belonging to Ryan Cooper. Tippen shares the report with Masters.

“That’s more icing on the cake,” exclaims Masters. “Did our CSIs find any other bullets in the house to match those in the gun?”

“Not according to the search inventory,” responds Tippen.

Friday

On Friday morning, nine days after Naomi’s murder, Cooper appears in court with his attorney, Chris Inglesby, for his arraignment. Representing the state is Assistant DA Jean Simmons. The judge explains the charge of First Degree Murder to Cooper and explains to him his rights. He is then asked how he pleads, guilty or not guilty to the charge. Cooper pleads not guilty. A trial date is set for November 14th, approximately six months from Naomi’s death. The judge must now set bail for Cooper.

Cooper’s attorney, Inglesby, argues that Cooper is local, has ties to the community, is a respected business owner, has never been in any legal trouble, and is not a flight risk. Inglesby argues for a reasonable bail amount.

Assistant DA Simmons argues against bail, citing the violence of the crime and the seriousness of the charge. She also argues that an unknown person may be in danger should Cooper be released. Simmons talks of the unknown identity of the person Naomi was having an affair with and that the evidence strongly supports the motive for killing Naomi was the affair. Releasing Cooper would put this person in danger.

After listening to both arguments, the judge refuses to set a bail amount, however, he agrees to reconsider after a preliminary hearing. After the hearing concludes, Cooper is taken back to the county jail in handcuffs.

The Next Week

On Monday, Tippen and Masters have received the phone records from the phones of both Naomi and Ryan Cooper. Masters begins to review the phone records while Tippen works on reviewing all the forensic reports.

While reviewing the reports, Tippen receives a phone call from Cooper’s attorney, Chris Inglesby.

“What can I do for you?” asks Tippen.

“I’ve gotten all the reports from the DA’s office and have been pouring over them,” says Inglesby. “I see where there were