Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 4, September 1971

Sam again was acutely aware of the doctor’s anticipation. Then Benz surprised him. He said, “If I have to pick potential killers, sergeant, I will name Richard Ramirez, Oliver Johnson and/or Walter Shanks. Ramirez could have been triggered by frustration or anger. With Johnson and Shanks, it would have been lust. Both lusted for Tina.

“As to opportunity, I recall that Ramirez was not at the pool for a long spell this afternoon, Walter Shanks departed from the grounds early, and the Negro boy, of course, knew he was to remain in his quarters over the garage unless called for. Of course, this does not mean he was chained there.”

“And who,” Sam asked, “is Walter Shanks?”

“A rather ugly young man — in physical appearance, in attitude, and in manner. But wealthy, a bachelor, and a ladies’ man. Walter Shanks lusts, sergeant. And he attains. In Tina’s case, however, he was still lusting.”

It was Sam’s turn to surprise, he figured. “Well, doctor, you really didn’t have to volunteer. I wasn’t going to ask for your nominations. But thanks anyway. And now if you will be good enough to tell Mr. Caldwell I’d like to talk to him—”

Roger Caldwell Sr. never in his life had smoked. Smoking was dangerous to health: “Take it from an insurance man, one who insures lives.” But he liked to fondle and chew on cigars. It gave off a certain impression, and Roger Caldwell Sr. liked to impress; it was good for business. On the other hand, he did not wear a blindfold, he was not easily impressed — or hoodwinked. It was a talent, he admitted grandly, but it did allow him to categorize people.

And just how had he sized up a few of the people at this July 4th blast?

Well, the doctor had the reputation of being one hell of a surgeon, a man in demand, and he was wealthy, no doubt about that. He was also popular, apparently enjoyed good health, and seemed stable enough on the surface.

But the guy had tumbled out of his tree over Tina Polk.

Ramirez? Ramirez was a slick. Ramirez had moved in swiftly after the death of Roger Caldwell Jr., caught Tina Polk in an extremely emotional period in her life, knocked her off balance, and had kept her off balance. Ramirez should not have done that. Ramirez was not one of Roger Caldwell Sr.’s favorite people. Now, who else did the sergeant want an opinion on?

“Walter Shanks.”

“A professional seducer.”

“What was he doing here?”

“I suppose he was invited by Tina, but perhaps he came uninvited. Shanks does those kind of things.”

“I understand he left the party early. Did you happen to notice him leave?”

“I did.”

“Any idea what time it might have been?”

“Not the foggiest. But you could ask Connie Lennon. She’s out at the pool. I was at the bar with Miss Lennon, she was developing a headache, and Benz came along. She asked for medication, he volunteered something. It was while he was gone that Miss Lennon and I saw Shanks drive away. He squealed tires all the way down the drive. Anyway, Miss Lennon might remember the approximate time.”

“Was Tina Polk at the pool when Shanks left?”

“I think she was. Well, I’m really not sure, now that you ask. She could have been, or she might not have been. I don’t know, sergeant. There was a crowd out there this afternoon, a good number of people moving around.”

“How long was this before you discovered the body?”

“Say twenty minutes, maybe thirty.”

“Why did you try to enter the house?”

“A human function, young man. And when I found the locked door, it irritated me. I looked through a window to see if there was someone inside who could open the door.”

“And saw the body. Who do you think killed her, Mr. Caldwell?”

His face darkened. He stared at the cigar. “I wish I knew. I’d be tempted to kill him.”

“Because you still consider Tina Polk to be your daughter-in-law?”

“Because,” he said flatly.

“Do you think Walter Shanks might have killed her?”

“I don’t think Walter Shanks would kill any woman. He lives on them.”

“How about this Oliver Johnson, the house boy?”

Caldwell looked startled. “Wow, Doc really unloaded on you, didn’t he?”

“He wears his bigotry, if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s what I mean.”

“This thing could be a sex crime, Mr. Caldwell. We’re going to know for sure in a few hours.”

Caldwell shook his head. “Not the Johnson boy.”

“All right, then. Would Benz kill her?”

“My God, man, he was living here with her. If he wanted to kill her why would he pick the middle of a day when guests are all around?”

“It’d be better than doing it some night when he was alone in the house with her. We’d have him for sure then, wouldn’t we? Incidentally, how did your son happen to meet and marry Tina Polk?”

“They met through Connie Lennon. Roger and Connie were dating at the time. After Tina divorced Benz, she began to circulate among the younger people again. She and Roger met, fell in love, were married. Innocent enough?”

“Seems to be. Then enters Richard Ramirez into Tina’s life?”

“After Roger’s death.”

“And Tina fell in love again.”

“Unfortunately, she seemed to be captivated by Ramirez, yes.”

“She intended to marry him?”