Chapter Five
2117 Words
V.
Claudia Frederich
3 December, 1947
A few minutes later, Herbie and Gerald arrived at the house of Gilbert Frederich. They got out of the car and knocked on the door. Eventually, Claudia opened it.
- Detective Herbie Fox. Claudia Frederich?
Claudia replied with fright.
- Yes. Yes, that's me. What do you want?
- We're investigating the murder of your husband, Gilbert.
- I see. This is probably not the right time but come on in.
Herbie and Gerald entered the house.
- I'm just going to get you a cup of coffee, detectives. Sit down on the sofa in the living room.
When they entered the living room, there was a man sitting on the sofa. It was Joe Pentham, Gilbert's business partner. He spoke to the detectives.
- Greetings, detectives.
Herbie was surprised and asked.
- Who are you?
Joe replied.
- My name is Joe Pentham. Together with Gilbert Frederich, I ran a company called Sunbeam Finances.
- Detective Herbie Fox. This is my partner, Gerald Horwitz.
- Pleased to meet you, detective Fox.
Claudia came inwith two cups of coffee in her hands.
- I hope you don't mind. My friend Joe has just came to visit me.
Herbie replied.
- It's all right, missis Frederich. Besides, we don't have to visit Joe separately now, I suppose.
Claudia put one cup of coffe on the table. She placed it in front of Herbie. She kept the second one in her hands and started drinking softly. Suddenly, Gerald shouted.
- Where is my cup of coffee? I thought the other one was for me!
Herbie looked at Gerald with anger.Claudia was surprised and replied.
- Ex... Excuse me? Why are you shouting at me?
Gerald shouted even loudlier.
- I want coffee! Now!
Claudia got annoyed and stated with antipathy.
- Just a minute, detective.
Claudia went to the kitchen. Joe started speaking.
- That was quite rude, detective!
Gerald replied with a shout.
- Shut up!
Herbie told Gerald with great anger.
- What the hell are you doing, Horwitz? Are you out of your mind?
Gerald remained silent. Joe stood up and went to the kitchen. Herbie continued talking.
- Horwitz, change your behavior immediately! You're nothing but trouble!
Suddenly, Herbie heard an argument coming from the kitchen. He became curious.
- Can you hear that, Horwitz? Sounds like those two are arguing about something in the kitchen!
Herbie tried hard to distinguish the words, but he wasn't able to. After a while, they both returned from the kitchen. Claudia gave Gerald a cup of coffee. Herbie asked a question.
- Have you just been arguing back there?
They both smiled and replied to Herbie.
- What? Oh, no, no...
Joe continued.
- We were just... discussing something. No argument or anything like that.
Herbie was suspicious and stated.
- All right then. Sit down. Both of you. I would like to start.
Claudia and Joe sat down. Herbie continued after he pulled out his pen and a notebook. Gerald started drinking.
- Usually, I would leave the writing to you, Mister Horwitz. However, I don't think it's a good idea. Anyway, missis Frederich, tell me exactly what happened yesterday.
Claudia sighed and started talking.
- It's... really difficult for me to talk about it right now. Joe went to work early in the morning and returned much sooner than usual. When he got home, he was very nervous and told me what happened to the company. I didn't know what to say. He said he was going to take a walk and he didn't come home all night.
Claudia was upset and her mood was getting worse. Herbie asked further.
- Can you think of any possible places where Gilbert could have gone?
- Let me think. He liked hanging out in the Lopez Hills Bar. Sometimes, he went out bowling with some of his colleagues. I'm sorry, I really don't know.
- I see. Well, nevermind. How was your marriage with Gilbert? Were you a happy couple?
- Of course we were. Gilbert was a really nice and generous man. I loved him so much...
Claudia started wiping tears off her face. Suddenly, Gerald spoke.
- Whoa! Sorry lady but this coffee tastes like murder! Get it? Murder? But seriously, horrible!
Herbie replied in anger.
- Horwitz! I swear, one more stupid sentence from you and I'll file a complaint!
Joe supported Herbie by adding his two cents.
- Why are you acting like such a jerk? I'm no one to judge you but you really look like an i***t! And Claudia... just stop that!
Claudia looked at Joe with surprise and responded with tears in her eyes.
- What are you trying to say, Joe?
Joe started shouting.
- Come on, don't pretend that you're such an innocent woman! You only married Gilbert for his money!
Claudia cried even more and stated.
- Why are you shouting, Joe? You're hurting me!
Joe continued.
- Yes, just keep your little theater going, Claudia! I'm sick of you!
Herbie shouted, too.
- Enough already! You! Joe! Can't you see that this poor woman is in tears? I'm no one to judge the situation yet but that's not very nice of you! Come on, it's your turn then! Tell me about the company!
Joe calmed down a little and started.
- I met Gilbert in college. We became best friends and we wanted to start our own business. Basically, any business. One day, my family fell into debt. Our bills were overdue and my mother did something very dangerous to keep our home. She borrowed money from a loan shark. A few months passed and we still weren't able to pay our debt. I remember it like it happened yesterday. I was only nineteen at the time. I came home and my mother was nowhere to be seen. She was killed.
Joe became very upset as he continued.
- That day, I swore to my mother's grave. I gave her my honest vow that I wouldn‘t let this happen to other poor families. Gilbert and I started to work at the local restaurant as waiters. We wanted to earn as much money as possible to start a cash loan business. Luckily, we were successful. That's how Sunbeam Finances was formed.
Herbie claimed.
- That's a very sad story, Mister Joe. Tell me, what happened to the company just a few days ago?
Joe replied.
- A few months ago, a new company started to provide cash loan services. This company is called Calico. Martin Kipp is the founder. He comes from a very rich family. His promises were big. A new modern cash loan service with zero risk for the clients. I don't know how Kipp is able to do what he does. His offers are really extraordinary. If we wanted to try the same methods in our company, we would go bankrupt in just a few days. Anyway, you probably know where I'm heading. Our company simply couldn't match the standards of Calico. It all ended when Kipp offered our clients a switch to Calico for no extra fees, whatsoever. He was successful. We didn't even know what was going on and suddenly, we had no clients! I was thinking about a lawsuit with Calico but it would be a very bad idea. We have no chance against his lawyers. He's too powerful.
Herbie asked further.
- Although it does indeed make sense, I think it's a bit strange. Did Gilbert lose all of his money?
Claudia replied.
- Yes, detective.
Herbie wondered.
- But how?
Joe tried to answer Herbie's question.
- It's... quite difficult to explain, detective. Our financal system was, more or less, a house of cards. When Kipp took over our clients, their loans remained our debts.
Herbie tried to figure it out but he was still not sure.
- I'm sorry, Mister Joe. I still feel like there's something missing. I've heard about Gilbert Frederich before. He was quite famous and it has been said that he was wealthy.
Joe claimed.
- That may be true, detective.
Herbie got suspicious.
- Excuse me, Joe. Are you trying to tell me that you don't know whether that statement was true? You said that you were best friends just a few minutes ago!
Joe was a little nervous already and became uncomfortable.
- Yes... I mean, no. Listen, Gilbert was indeed a rich man. The situation with Calico got out of control and it's very complicated to explain why Gilbert lost his money.
Joe stood up and grabbed his coat.
- Excuse me, detectives. I would rather go now, if you don't mind.
Herbie got confused and replied.
- Well, I think that's everything I need to know for now. Although I have to say, Mister Joe, this may not be the end of our conversation!
Joe replied with a fright.
- All right, detective. See you around. Bye, Claudia.
Joe left the house. Herbie continued the interrogation with Claudia. Even though she still had tears on her face, she had stopped crying.
- So, Missus Frederich. I'm glad to see you're not crying anymore. I would like to excuse my partner for making a scene earlier. He feels sorry about it. Right, Horwitz?
Herbie looked at Gerald with anger. Gerald replied with insecurity.
- Yes, Herbie. I'm sorry, Claudia.
Claudia responded.
- Don't worry about it, detective. At least you were honest about my coffee.
Gerald remained silent and Herbie continued.
- All right, let's move on, missis Frederich. I'm curious. Why was Joe visiting you right now?
Claudia replied.
- We wanted to talk about what happened to Sunbeam Finances. It's unfortunate but I need help. We have some unpaid bills and I'm unemployed.
Herbie thought about it for a few seconds and responded.
- I see. But one thing... how could Joe not lose his money from the bankruptcy?
Claudia claimed.
- That's an easy question, detective. It may sound unbelievable but being a manager at Sunbeam Finances wasn't his only employment.
Herbie got surprised.
- Really? What's his second employment?
Claudia responded.
- He's also an executive manager at Ride-O-Mobil company. They sell used vehicles.
Herbie was even more surprised.
- Is that so? Did Gilbert know about it? Besides, why didn't Joe lend some money to Gilbert? He had enough to do that, I suppose.
- I don't know whether Gilbert knew about it. Joe likes to have some secrets. About the money, I think that Joe would lend him some. He knows the best what it means to experience poverty. I really can't tell. Either way, me and Gilbert never talked about Ride-O-Mobil together.
- I understand. There's one thing that concerns me, missis Frederich. My friend heard a radio show in which you appeared as a guest. He told me that you stated how you can't have children with Gilbert. What can you tell me about that?
Claudia was surprised.
- I honestly don't know what you're talking about, detective.
Herbie grew suspicious and replied.
- Are you sure, missis Frederich? Don't lie to me!
Claudia became terrified and responded.
- I'm being honest, detective! Please believe me!
Herbie stated.
- All right, missis Frederich. I believe you. I think we're finished for now. Did Gilbert have any relatives living nearby?
Claudia thought for a minute.
- Yes. You can either visit Gilbert's brother or his sister.
Herbie replied.
- Good. Could you please give me their addresses?
Herbie gave his pen and notebook to Claudia. She claimed.
- Of course, here they are.
She wrote the addresses in the notebook and returned it to Herbie. He stood up from the sofa and went to the door with Gerald.
- Thank you, missis Frederich. Take care. Horwitz, let's go.
They left the house and got into the car. Herbie told Gerald.
- You know what, Horwitz? I've had enough for today. Take me home, please. I'll give you directions.
- Ok, Herbie. What terrible coffee back there, huh? I would arrest her just for that taste.
- Horwitz, please... I have a headache already.
Claudia was looking out of the window. When they were gone, she picked up the phone and dialed.
- Hey! It's me!
...
Me! Claudia, you moron!
...
You don't say! Listen, they have already been here.
...
Yes, exactly! You should take care of yourself.
...
Why are you asking me? I'm not the one to tell.
...
Suddenly, someone rang the doorbell.
- Oh, I have to go now. Someone's here.
She hung up the telephone and went to open the door.
- Writer
