King stared at Harry. “What’s Junior’s story?”
“Junior declares his innocence vigorously. He was working by himself until the early morning hours at a new house he’s building for him and his family over in Albemarle County. He saw no one and no one saw him. So there goes any alibi.”
“When was the burglary discovered?” asked King.
“Remmy found it around five in the morning after she got home from the hospital. She was in her bedroom around eight the night before, and there were people in the house until around eleven or so. So the crime probably took place
between, say, midnight and four.”
“Clearly within the hours Junior says he was working alone on the house.”
“And yet with all that,” said Michelle, “you think he’s innocent, don’t you?”
Harry met her gaze. “I’ve represented people who were guilty before; that comes with the territory. As a judge I’ve seen the culpable go free and the innocent occasionally locked up, and I’ve usually been powerless
to do anything about it. Now, with Junior my firm belief is that he didn’t commit this crime for one simple reason: the poor fellow would no more know what to do with two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of cash, bearer bonds and jewels than I would trying to row my way to an Olympic silver medal in women’s fours and coxswain.”
Michelle looked surprised because while in college she’d done that very thing.
“Yes, my dear,” said Harry apologetically, “I researched you. I hope you don’t mind.” He patted her hand and continued. “Junior’s being an incompetent thief is clearly established. Case in point: years ago he stole some truck batteries from a local auto repair shop, only he didn’t bother to take them out of the bed of his truck when he went to that very same auto repair shop to have his truck worked on. That little blunder cost him six months in jail and demonstrates his lack of skill in the felony business.”
“Well, maybe he’s gotten better over the years,” said King.
“He’s doing the best he’s ever done with his contracting business. His wife makes good money. They’re building a new house in Albermarle. Why attempt a burglary at the Battles’?”
“Maybe with the new house they needed some extra cash. But if he didn’t do it, someone is trying hard to implicate him. Why?” said King.
Harry was ready for that query. “He was working there, so he’d be suspected. The person could have gotten his tools, shoes, pants and gloves from the trailer home Junior and his family are living in now. It’s in the middle of nowhere, and there’s often no one there.” He added, “Although the fingerprint is the most troubling. It would take an experienced person to forge that.”
“What’s his family like?” asked Michelle.
“Three children, the oldest around twelve. His wife is Lulu Oxley.”
“Lulu Oxley?” repeated Michelle.
“She’s the manager at a gentleman’s club called the Aphrodisiac. Actually, she told me she now also owns a piece of the business.”
“You’re kidding,” said Michelle. “The Aphrodisiac?”
“I’ve heard it’s actually quite nice inside—you know, not just a sleazy bar with topless dancers.” Harry added quickly, “Though I’ve never been there, of course.”
“That’s right,” said King.
Michelle looked at him. “Please don’t tell me you’ve been there.”
He hesitated, looked uncomfortable and then said, “It was just one time. A bachelor’s party for a friend.”
“Uh-huh,” said Michelle.
King sat forward. “Okay, maybe Junior didn’t mastermind the thing, but what if someone else did? That person knew Junior had access to the Battles’ mansion and enlists him to do it. The physical evidence is pretty damning, Harry.”
Harry was not deterred. “There is evidence against him. Too much, in fact!”
King didn’t look convinced. “Okay, what do you want us to do?”
“Talk to Junior. Get his story. Visit the Battles.”
“All right, suppose we check it all out and nothing pops?”