Day 7

“You think there’s a connection with the jewel theft?” Police Chief O’ Malley asked me at the station while he took a look at the printed threat with latex gloves.

“I’m not sure,” I ran a hand through my hair. “Lee is for all intents and purposes, my son, not to mention my legal business partner. What affects me affects him and vise versa. And now with all this Miguel business, well, I think the threat against Lee’s life could be connected to the jewel theft and to his relationship with Miguel. “

“You’re thinking about Clive O’ Shaunnessy. Well, he’s outspoken I’ll grant you that, but frankly I don’t think he has the balls to kill anyone. Threaten, yes, do the deed, no.”

“You’ve dealt with him before?”

“Knew him in high school. Was a bully then. Apparently still is but no police record. I’ll get a warrant to investigate his place though. To see if there’s anything to indicate his involvement with threatening Captain Crane.”

“Thank you. The jewel theft’s nothing compared to the threat on Lee’s life. A  damn mystery. And I don’t like mysteries I can’t solve.”

“Spoken like a true scientist, but the threat’s actually a bit vague. More like a warning to get out of town.”

“But it says...”

“Oh, it’s a death threat, but it’s amateurish the way it’s worded. Almost juvenile. I wish it wasn’t typed. Especially from a computer’s word processing program. No handwriting analysis available, but we’ll run it through forensics for fingerprints. How many people have handled it?”

“The letter, just myself and Lee.  The envelope, well, you’d have to check with  the post office. We haven’t shown it or told anyone about it but you.”

“Good. We’ll get right on it. By  the way Admiral. We met in high school once. I’m sure you don’t remember me, but I remember you. A snot faced kid who should have been in elementary school. I um, was pretty mean to you.”

“What did you do?”

“It’s not what I did, it’s  what I didn’t do. Never once ever treated you like a friend. I’m truly sorry for that. Especially since you might have helped me with my homework!”

Both of us  laughed and Chief O’ Malley escorted me to the exit.

“Miguel? ” Chief O’ Malley and I both asked, surprised,  of Lee in his orange museum jumpsuit.

“What are you doing here?” the chief asked.

Miguel showed off his broom, and grinned, “Job?”

“You did promise,” Mrs. Crane approached. “Remember? You said since the museum is closed Sunday you’d like to hire him for the dept.”

“But I was speaking hypothetically! Do you have any idea of the paperwork involved? Don’t get me wrong, son, but...will somebody tell him that it’s impossible. Just impossible.”

“Really,” Mrs. Crane huffed. “You promised. And he’s so anxious to earn a little extra money. He wants to buy Lee a present for his birthday.”

“Feliz cumpleaños  me hermano!” Miguel said proudly. “Feliz cumpleaños.”  

“That means happy birthday,” Mrs. Crane began.

“I know what it means!” O’ Malley said. “I may not speak the language, but  I do know a few words or can figure them out.”

I could see practically all of the female staff melt, especially as Lee began to furrow his brows from the outburst.  

“Wait,” I said, “I have an idea. You just figure out how much he’d earn if he was on the payroll and I’ll reimburse you. You won’t have to fill out any paperwork. It’ll be as if never stepped foot in the place. This is...a...an internship of sorts. For the experience.”

“You’re a bit of a scoundrel, Admiral. Oh very well, Connors? Over here. Show Miguel where the restrooms are. He can start cleaning in there. Then make a schedule and show him around.”

Mrs. Crane patted Miguel on the shoulder and nodded ‘yes.’

“Job, si?” Miguel asked  O’ Malley.

“Job, si,” the Chief said. “I wish my staff were as industrious. Have a good day Admiral. Mrs. Crane. By the way, give my regards to the Captain. I think I can say that all of Boston’s proud of him.”

After waving goodbye, and heading out the door, I had to grin at how well lee was playing his part, when I happened to glance out of the corner of my eye that Chief O’ Malley was tearing up the death threat and tossing in the wastebasket, then picking  up the phone.

Good thing I’d made a copy and that Lee and I had already begun our  own investigation. Along with the bug I’d placed at the Chief of Police’s desk.