She Cradled the Smoking Gun: Ch 3
Detective Tom Stone studies the body — and the relationships
Detective Tom Stone made his way through the police units with crackling radios and the forensics team on-site at the estate and stepped into the home’s foyer just after nine a.m.
Paul Kaye’s body was covered by a sheet on the floor at the bottom of the staircase clothed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. His body was angled to the right of the front door, and his hand was outstretched away from the door like he was reaching for something.
The man’s wit and his dealmaking had been silenced forever.
The maid had found him when she arrived for work at seven a.m. She had a key and didn’t have to wait for anyone to let her in. The door was locked, she had told the responding officers and they reported that she was shaking and sobbing when they arrived.
Stone wondered about any surveillance cameras. Did they record the crime?
The maid was sitting in the kitchen. Stone figured working at the Kaye residence had to be a fairly low-stress gig since the house was immaculate and it didn’t look like any kids were around. She had told officers through her sobs that she had worked for the Kayes for several years.
Stone knelt by the body and pulled back the sheet to get a closer look while CSI snapped photos and investigators scoured in and around the house.
Paul Kaye’s running shoes were untied. A single bullet had entered from behind just below his neck between his shoulder blades. The key to his sports car was in his hand and even though the man looked dressed for a morning jog, Stone had the feeling that he was attempting to flee.
“Where’s his wife?” Stone asked the officer standing near him.
“She’s driving down from Santa Barbara. Was visiting a friend. She’ll be here soon.”
“What time did you call her?” Stone stood.
“Just before eight.”
The coroner wheeled in a stretcher.
“When forensics is done, you can remove the body,” said Stone.
“We’re wrapping up, Detective.” The body bag was at the ready.
Stone motioned to the coroner. “Then he’s all yours.”
“You got it.”
Santa Barbara was about an hour and a half in decent traffic and two or more hours from the Valley if the rush hour was unusually heavy. Stone made his way into the kitchen which had a large island in the center where the maid sat, sipping a glass of water. Her hand trembled and she looked like she could barely lift the glass.
He introduced himself and showed her his badge. “Hello, Mrs. Fuentes? Maria? I’m Detective Tom Stone.”
“Yes.”
“So, you had quite a shock this morning.”
She wiped her eyes. “I did.”
“I know it’s difficult, but I’ll need to ask you a few questions.”
“What can I say? I found him. Dead.” She set her glass down and made the sign of the cross. “I don’t why. I don’t know who. Who would do such a thing?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out, Mrs. Fuentes.”
An officer interrupted. “Letting you know, Detective, they’re taking the body out.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Oh, my God, I’m going to miss him. He was the nicest man.” Maria put her hands up to her eyes.
Stone gave her time before more questioning. “Did you notice anything unusual or have any concerns about Mr. Kaye before this morning?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did he seem nervous? High strung? Depressed?”
“No, I hadn’t seen him for a couple of days.” Maria sighed.
“Do you know if he had people who didn’t like him? Did he have any enemies or arguments with business associates?”
“I don’t know. It didn’t seem like it. If I saw him with anybody, I saw him with — ” Maria glanced around, like she was embarrassed. “He was only with his, uh, his girlfriend.”
“His girlfriend? Not with Lisa, his wife?”
“Sometimes, I guess.”
“What was she like?”
Maria hesitated. “Younger. Pretty. An actress.”
Stone scribbled the response and made a note to follow up with the girlfriend.
“Did they hang around here much?”
“Who?”
“Paul Kaye and his girlfriend.”
“Once in a while. Not much.” She looked around again, like spreading gossip. “Only when Mrs. Kaye was out of town.” She looked exhausted. “I try to stay out of it. I just do whatever work they have for me.”
“Which is what?”
“Cleaning clothes. Helping them put on dinners with their friends. Helping Mrs. Kaye with the gardening. She has lots of roses.”
Stone took a seat beside her. “Did Mr. and Mrs. Kaye get along?”
She wiped her eyes and sipped water. “Not too much. They had disagreements.”
“Like arguing?”
“All couples do that, right?”
Stone waited. “Do you know who’s been on the property lately? Have you noticed anyone suspicious?”
“No. Just Mrs. Kaye.”
“Anyone else?”
“A rooter company.” She wiped her eyes. “Cleaning out the toilet lines. The man was in and out.” She chuckled quietly. “Like an old married man with his wife.” Mrs. Fuentes groaned. “I shouldn’t say that.”
Gallows humor.
“It’s okay, Mrs. Fuentes. I know this is tough. How else did the Kayes act around each other?”
“Not very well. They put up with each other. Mrs. Kaye was often out in the back caring for her roses. Mr. Kaye usually stayed inside when he was around.” Maria motioned with a nod of the head. “I guess they kept their distance. It seemed like they got along better, years ago. But not so much now.”
“Did he and Mrs. Kaye ever raise their voices with each other?”
“Argue?” Maria rolled her eyes. “This is hard for me, I just work here.”
Just then muffled sobs were heard coming down the hallway. A woman who was shaking came stumbling into the kitchen, holding the arm of a uniformed officer like she was grasping a railing for support. “Detective Stone?”
“Yes?”
She took a breath and fought to regain composure. “These officers told me I’m supposed to see you. I’m Lisa Kaye.”
“Hello, Mrs. Kaye, please have a seat.”
“So, where’s my husband?” She wore tight jeans and a blouse like she was heading out shopping at an upscale mall. She turned to the officer and removed her sunglasses. “I’m fine. I am.” She rested her hands on the island before sitting.
“The coroner has taken his body.”
“This is unbelievable. I overheard part of your questioning, and I’m the best one to ask about my marriage to Paul.” A beige purse with gold etching hung from her shoulder and she sounded defiant. “We’ve never involved Maria in anything personal.” Lisa Kaye wiped her eyes again and set her purse on the counter. “My God, all these people around.”
“A crime scene’s a busy place,” said Stone.
“This is horrible.” Lisa looked tired and dragging. “I think I’m in shock.”
“I’m sure,” said Stone quietly.
Lisa Kaye trembled. “Our marriage …” She ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Tears welled up. “No, we haven’t been fighting.” She shook her head and sounded insulted. “And, no. No shouting matches. No pushing or shoving.”
“That’s fine, Mrs. Kaye. I’m just looking at all angles.”
“I don’t know anyone who’d do this.” Lisa Kaye looked lost. “What happened? What do you know?”
“Just gathering information at this point. Nothing definitive except that your husband was shot at what appears to be close range.”
She sighed. “Was he shot there, in the entryway?”
“Yes.”
Maria uttered, “Dios mio” and made the sign of the cross.
Stone continued. “There was no blood on the carpeting from your bedroom or along the steps. No bullet marks anywhere else in the house. Whoever did it waited until he was at the front door.”
“Was he ambushed?” Lisa Kaye glanced down the hallway.
“Nothing conclusive. I know this is difficult to hear. Time of death looks about four a.m. I’m curious about something and maybe you can help me out.”
“What is it?” Lisa pulled tissue from her purse, wiped her eyes, and balled her hand into a fist.
“Wouldn’t he have been asleep already?”
“I don’t know. All these people.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I need aspirin. Excuse me.”
A bathroom was nearby.
“Of course.” Stone looked out the back door. “Would you rather talk on the patio since it’s quieter?”
Lisa Kaye grabbed her purse. “Oh, okay.” She glanced around and took in the commotion. “Unbelievable. Just so unbelievable.” She hurried to the bathroom and shut the door.
Stone spoke to Mrs. Fuentes. “How are you feeling?”
“Awful.”
“I’ll have more questions for you later. Maybe tomorrow.”
She sighed and crossed herself again, exclaiming Lord, have mercy in Spanish.
Stone excused her and had a uniformed officer walk her out. He stepped to the patio where he sat on a chair with mesh webbing and waited with rose bushes stretching over the lawn. The property was substantial. Stone would order an aerial view to see if the network of shrubs and fencing could have been climbed. Lisa stepped out.
She was fidgeting and wiped a tear. “We were talking about getting a German Shepherd as a guard dog. One of those expensive pure breeds. But, no, we put it off.” She took a deep breath. “So, you want to ask about our marriage?” She pulled up a chair.
“Those are questions that I have to ask. I’m sorry, but I need to be direct. Your husband was shot to death in your home at a time when most people are asleep. There’s no initial sign of forced entry. We’ll keep looking, of course.” Stone studied Lisa with empathy showing in his gaze. “You know him better than anybody. Did he have enemies? Did he owe money to anyone? Had he made anyone angry?”
“I wish I knew.” She wasn’t wearing makeup. “I don’t know him better than anybody.”
“How so?”
“Do you think married couples tell everything to each other?”
Stone knew the answer. He’d been married for several years with an amicable divorce, a parting that didn’t shatter him and he wondered why. His partner on the force and close friend, Jake Sharpe, told him that the divorce wasn’t devastating because he and Kelly had been good friends, but they were never truly in love with each other.
Wisdom.
“So you didn’t know everything about each other?” asked Stone.
“Of course not.” Mrs. Kaye sighed and steadied herself. “He spent plenty of time with his girlfriend.”
“You know about her?”
“Of course, I do. I’m not blind or stupid. What do you want me to say, Detective?” Mrs. Kaye looked off toward her rose bushes. “Paul loved deals. He loved advertising, and making money, and he loved seeing others make money. He was good at it but he got carried away with the showmanship. Like being on the fringes of TV and film.” She motioned toward the garden. “You can see how we’re different. I like gardening. He was never out here because he loved the nightlife. Why don’t you talk to his girlfriend? Certainly, she knows things I don’t.”
“Of course, Mrs. Kaye.”
“Lisa.”
“Lisa. I’ll be talking to as many people as I need. Your husband deserves justice.”
Chapter 4 will go live Tues., February 28
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