Chapter Three
1782 Words
III.
The Police Station
3 December, 1947
At the police station, Lieutenant Phil More held a press conference about the found body. Questions were coming across the entire room.
- Lieutenant More, Honolulu Paper repoter Mandy Simmons speaking.Do you know whether the found man is just unconscious or dead already?
- Our police officers should be here any minute now. Just be patient. In either case, this situation has to be investigated.
- Lieutenant Phil More, Waikiki News reporter Liz Anderson.What's the investigation going to look like?
- That's a good question, Missus Anderson. It depends on whether the found man is dead or just unconscious. If it turns out that the man is just unconscious, our police officers will interrogate him when he regains consciousness. That's all I can say at the moment.
Lieutenant More heard a car pulling up to the building. With a sigh of relief, he stated.
- Oh, it sounds like our police officers are here.
After a short moment, two police officers entered the room and spoke.
- Lieutenant, could we speak with you for a moment?
- Of course. Just a minute, folks.
Lieutenant More went out of the room along with the police officers. They closed the door on their way out and started talking in the corridor.
- Lieutenant, the man is dead. It appears that a murder occured last night.
- Hmm... That's what I thought, to be honest. I mean seriously, unconscious body? Those reporters nowadays are quite delusional.What a bunch of laughable brats! So, who is the man?
- His name is, or rather was, Gilbert Frederich.
Lieutenant More was surprised as this name sounded familiar to him.
- That Gilbert Frederich? Really? He was quite a popular businessman in Honolulu. How come nobody recognised him?
- That's not such a hard question to answer, Lieutenant. He was found facedown. Also, the entire body was wet. It looks like someone either threw it into the river and it washed ashore or someone pulled the body from the water.
- Oh, I see. Call detective Herbie Fox, then. He's the only reliable person I can think of right now. I'm going to finish the press conference.
- Yes, sir.
Lieutenant More returned to the press conference. He continued speaking.
- All right, I have some new information about the body. It seems like a murder was committed during the night.
The journalists slightly panicked and started asking futher questions.
- Mary Smith, Hawaii Today reporter.Who is the murdered man?
- His name was Gilbert Frederich. Yes, we're talking about the popular businessman.
Everyone in the room was shocked. Lieutenant More tried to calm the journalists down.
- Look! Everything is under control! We're going to do our best to find out who committed this terrible crime and that person will be punished! I would like to ask you to remain calm.
- Jane Foster, Aloha Paper.Do you think our security is too loose?
When the lieutenant heard these words, he became angry.
- For crying out loud! What kind of a question is that supposed to be? You know what? I've had enough! This press conference is over! Thank you for coming!
The journalists were surprised and their shouting accompanied the lieutenant's walking out of the room. Afterwards, the lieutenant entered his office with frustration. He sat down at his desk and covered his face with his palms. After a moment, detective Herbie Fox appeared in the office.
- I heard you wanted to see me, Lieutenant.
- Oh, Fox! I wouldn't ever say that seeing you would brighten up my day!
- How delightful, Lieutenant. I think we should slow down, though. You're making me feel uncomfortable!
Lieutenant More laughed.
- Fox, I would advise you to stop making jokes. We have a serious case on our hands and this one is somehow... everywhere.
- What do you mean, Lieutenant?
- Gee, don't you have a radio, Fox? I woke up this morning and it was the first thing I heard. A body was found by the Anahulu River. Those idiots even thought that the poor man was just unconscious. It's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard on the radio. For crying out loud!
The lieutenant grew angry again and Herbie tried to calm him down.
- Calm down, Lieutenant. You can be glad that you haven't seen The Jack Eigen Show on television. I think that you would have a heart attack by listening to the things that guy says!
- Not funny, Fox! Don't try to be a comedian!
- I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
A few seconds of rather awkward silence occured in the office. Shortly after, the lieutenant started talking in a serious manner.
- Anyway, the man who was found is Gilbert Frederich. Have you heard of him? I bet you have, Fox.
- Oh yeah, that businessman. He tried to look like a good and generous fella but deep inside, I think he might have been even more crooked than the others.
- Perhaps. I don't know much about the guy but I met him once. His business partner got into trouble once and he came here to bail him out of the prison cell.
Lieutenant More grew silent for a moment and Herbie asked.
- So, where is Albert Fringe?
- Oh, about that. I'm so busy and stressed out that I haven't even found the time to assign you a partner. Please, Fox, do me a favor and call him. This is his number.
Lieutenant More opened a drawer and took out a piece of paper with Albert Fringe's telephone number on it. He gave it to Herbie. Herbie left the office and went straight to the nearest telephone booth. He dialed the number and a female voice answered.
- This is the operator.It seems the number you are trying to reach is unavailable at the moment.
Herbie waited for a minute and tried to dial the number again. The female voice repeated the message.
- This is the operator. It seems the number you are trying to reach is unavailable at the moment.
Herbie thought to himself.
- Where is Albie? It looks like he's not home right now.
When Herbie tried to dial the number for the third time with the same results, he gave up. He went back to the lieutenant's office. The lieutenant was having a telephone conversation.
- Yes, it's about that new case. Found body by the river. We need another detective to join Herbie Fox. What about Albert Fringe? Is he available?
A few seconds later, the lieutenant continued.
- I see. So what is his name?
...
- Gerald Horwitz. Is he good?
...
- We'll see about that. Thank you and have a nice day.
Lieutenant More hung up and told Herbie.
- Fox, Fringe is on a vacation. You have a new partner.
Herbie got slightly angry.
- I don't like this, Lieutenant. Just a few months ago, you assigned me a youngster who was completely unknown to me and now you're trying to pull it off again with someone else?
- Fox, don't be such a prima donna! Just because you worked alone for so many years doesn't mean you don't need a partner! I'm sorry about that, Fox. Things change. You know, you're not that young anymore! Gerald Horwitz will be fine.
Suddenly, a tall man came to the office. He had short black hair and a strong figure.
- Did you just say my name? Gerald Horwitz, pleased to meet you... Herbie? Harold? Hercules?
Gerald laughed out loudbut both Herbie and More remained silent. Gerald continued.
- Come on, you two old rascals! Give me a little smile!
Herbie was a little uncomfortable and didn't say a word. Lieutenant More spoke with anger.
- Horwitz! What kind of an introduction is that supposed to be? How old are you, anyway?
Gerald replied.
- I'm fifty-five years young, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant More shook his head in despair without a reply. Herbie stated.
- No offense, Mister Horwitz, but you're acting like a moron!
Gerald laughed out loud and placed his hand on Herbie's shoulder.
- Good joke, Foxy! I think I'm gonna call you foxy lady! What a name! Sounds like a great rock and roll song!
Herbie became angry, too.
- Enough, Horwitz! Lieutenant, are you serious? Is this really the guy I'm supposed to work with? Even I don't find it funny. I want someone else as my partner!
Lieutenant More shouted.
- Listen! You both are making me angry! Horwitz, stop acting like a child! Fox, try to understand the pressure I'm under and cooperate already! Now, you two will go to the crime scene and start investigating! You probably don't realise that you're detectives and not stand-up comedians! A man was killed yesterday! Get out of my office and go to Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park! And Horwitz, don't try to make fun of me or I'll make such a great fun of you that you'll cry! Do you understand?
Gerald replied with a serious manner.
- Yes, sir.
- Good! Get out of my face! Both of you!
Herbie and Gerald left the lieutenant's office and went to the car.
- Mister Horwitz, you're the driver!
- All right.
As they were driving, they had a conversation. Gerald started.
- So Herbie, what do you know about this case?
Herbie sighed and replied with a lower tone of voice.
- Mister Horwitz, I don't want to be rude but I don't know that much and it's because of you! Why did you have to act like a little child in the lieutenant's office? He's a serious man who hates when someone doesn't treat him with the respect he deserves. The same applies to me, you Horwi lady!
- Come on, Herbie. Why are you all so serious? Have a little laught.
- I have no reason to laugh right now, Mister Horwitz. Maybe I would if you were at least funny.
- Don't be so mean, Herbie! You're hurting my feelings!
- Please, if you don't have anything interesting to say, stay quiet.
- You know I'm not going to do that.
- You're such a dork, Horwitz! Who are you, anyway? I can't even remember hearing your name at all! Tell me something about yourself.
- My name is Gerald and I'm a detective.
- Anything more to add, you baby?
- I don't think so.
- Fine. Just drive then and for the goodness's sake, be quiet!
Herbie was surprised when Gerald remained silent. A few minutes later, they arrived at the Ali'i Beach Park.
- Writer
