Andrew appraised the posh surroundings as Jim displayed his shield and asked, “Is Lyle Ramsey in?”
“I’ll check for you,” she said picking up the phone and pressing an intercom button to Connie Porter. “Connie, there are two gentlemen here to see Mr. Ramsey, one of them is a detective,” and questioning she looked at Andrew.
“Oh, I’m Andrew Kincaid from the Seattle Times.”
“Connie, the other man is with the Seattle Times.”
An attractive, slender brunette in an understated designer suit appeared almost immediately, smiling as she approached the reception desk, stretching a manicured hand toward them she said, “Good morning, gentlemen, I’m Connie Porter, Mr. Ramsey’s executive secretary; is there something I can do for you?”
“Thank you, but no, Ms. Porter, this is police business; we must speak with Mr. Ramsey, personally,” Jim added while admiring Ramsey’s good taste in secretaries.
“Certainly,” she crooned, “Just a moment I’ll let him know you’re here,” she said picking up the phone and after announcing their presence to Ramsey, she turned, smiled again and beckoned to Jim and Andrew, “Please follow me,” as she led the way down a wide corridor to a richly appointed corner office that faced west. She tapped gently and opened the door stepping aside to allow the two men to enter.
Lyle Ramsey was seated behind his desk and rose to meet Jim and Andrew saying to Jim, “You must be Detective Savalza, I do know Mr. Kincaid. To what do I owe this visit Detective? Surely not official business or is it?” he asked while gesturing to two leather chairs facing the desk, “Please, have a seat.” Ramsey had returned to his chair behind the desk.
Jim leaned forward, “Yes, it is official; I’m sure that you’re probably quite busy, Mr. Ramsey, so I’ll get right to the point. A phone number was found in the suit coat pocket of the late Seattle Police Detective, Monte Maxwell. I dialed that number the other day and you answered on your private line. At first I thought it might be a mistake, but some things have surfaced that have caused me to reconsider.”
Jim’s dark eyes were glued on Ramsey’s face. “I don’t think it was a coincidence that I got your private line, Mr. Ramsey. And in a follow up on Maxwell’s activities before he died, we have discovered his erratic behavior started with a few phone calls.”
“What are you suggesting, Detective?”
“I’m not suggesting Mr. Ramsey, I’m telling you that we believe that Monte was working for you. As much as I don’t like the idea, I believe that Monte and the two window washers who fell from the Rainier Tower, were all connected to you and the attack and murder of George Kelshaw. Something went wrong and you had Monte killed.”
Andrew was surprised at Jim’s blunt accusation. He glanced at Ramsey, who seemed equally taken aback as Jim waded in for another punch, “I’m putting you on notice that we will continue to investigate until we can prove it.”
Ramsey shot back, “Prove what—I don’t even know who this George Kelshaw is! What could I possible gain by arranging for the murder of a person I don’t even know?”
“I’m equally sure that the motive will reveal itself, you see, Mr. Ramsey, Captain Martin remembers that you contacted him about the release of Kelshaw’s body.” Jim looked steadily into the cold eyes of Lyle Ramsey as he voiced his suspicions.
Ramsey smiled at the audacity of the detective, “That’s a very reckless accusation. You are setting yourself and your department up for a harassment charge, Detective. You may have even provided a witness in the person of Mr. Kincaid. By the way, why are you here, Kincaid?”
Andrew had been quietly observing Ramsey’s reaction to Jim’s accusations, noting his body language and facial expressions. At the beginning of the interview, the attorney had seemed preoccupied and slightly irritated. When Jim accused him of Monte’s death and later of George Kelshaw’s, the irritation had grown into anger and he had seen a momentary flash of fear cross Ramsey’s face when Jim mentioned Captain Martin’s recollection.
Choosing his words carefully, Andrew responded to Ramsey’s question. “I probably wouldn’t be a very good witness for you, Mr. Ramsey, since I’ve been working with Detective Savalza in the investigation of the death of George Kelshaw.
“I came today to discuss another matter… an interview with you and with Harrison Carr; I’d like to know more about your firm’s connection with Global Construction International.
“I was very impressed when I learned that Harrison Carr is on the GCI Board of Directors. The Times would certainly like a story and our business editor would love an exclusive on GCI.”
His face and voice were expressionless as Ramsey looked at Andrew and Jim. He then pressed the intercom button saying slowly, “Ms. Porter will see you out.”
Jim looked at Ramsey, “Remember what I said, I will be back.”
Connie Porter had appeared as if by magic; a frozen smile on her face, she stood by the door waiting to close it as the two men passed her on their way out. Andrew already in the corridor stopped and stepping back through the doorway looked at Ramsey, “I’ll be calling about that GCI interview, Mr. Ramsey. You might want to talk it over with Mr. Carr.”
Outside Jim rendered surprise, “GCI? What was that about, Andy,” Jim quizzed Andrew as they returned to the car. “What is all this stuff about GCI International? Is that what you wanted to talk with Klein about? If so I think you may have tipped your hand.”
Andrew laughed, “Yeah, well don’t complain… I certainly didn’t expect you to accuse Ramsey of murder… twice! Wow! Did you see his face? I figured that I’d push him a little farther after you set him up. “He is very, very uncomfortable about our visit today and with any luck some of his associates won’t be happy either. “Now it’s our turn to watch. Yes, in answer to your question, Jim, GCI may well be a key to help sink Mr. Ramsey and some of his friends.”
Washington D.C.
Fred Wellman and Neil Klein looked at each other in surprise at hearing Nancy’s announcement that Lu Chan was waiting to see them.
“He’s here?” Fred asked.
Nancy responded, “Yes, he is in Mr. Klein’s office.”
“We’ll be right there,” Neil said excitedly.
A well dressed Chinese man was seated thumbing through the Washington Post which he folded and laid aside as Fred and Neil strode into the office.
The two men greeted Lu Chan with warm handshakes both expressing pleasure and surprise.
“What brings you to Washington?” Neil inquired.
“I had orders to report to Langley…” Lu Chan looked at Fred, “Something about a new assignment. I thought I would try to see you and perhaps answer any questions that you might have. You see, I learned that George Kelshaw was killed in Seattle and I wanted to make certain that the information he was carrying reached you.”
Neil was the first to speak and nodded affirmation, saying, “Yes, it’s true about George. With the help of a friend of Jack Hubbard’s, a newspaperman named Andrew Kincaid, the packet with the information is in our hands. Fred and I have been deciphering some of the material from the packet.”
Fred spoke, “We know most of the pieces of what happened to Paul Thayer and General Chernakov, except for the time between Nanning and your last contact with Chernakov.”
Lu Chan nodded, “I will fill in some of the details for you,” he said remembering the last times he had interacted with Chernakov.
“After our meeting in Nanning and learning that I was his contact, Chernakov went on to Hanoi to complete his mission for the Defense Ministry to obtain the captured American air navigation equipment and arrange for its delivery to the Soviet Union.”