I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty-nine

    The fire chief’s summary of the fire that claimed one building in the Pine Knoll project, blamed the absence of smoke detectors for the deaths of the family that didn’t survive. Closer scrutiny unearthed the fact that one of the adults had a habit of falling asleep in bed while smoking. 

    The family’s relatives requested further investigation into the project itself. The task fell intothe laps of Detectives Ken Stapleton and Corrine Hudson. Ken looked up from reading the fire analysis. “It says here that the use of shoddy material in building the apartments contributed to the fire consuming the structure so rapidly. That the firefighters had difficulty exterminating the blaze due to the excessive heat generated.”

    “You know something,” Ken commented to his partner, shaking his head. “Years ago man built structures of good quality materials that would last for centuries. Skilled laborers were proud of their workmanship. They were massively over-engineered to withstand the ravages of aeons of time.”

    “What are you getting at, Ken?” Corrine asked, eyebrows arched over accentuated white corneas by her dark Jamaican skin. Ebony silk strands of bobbed hair shone under the florescent ceiling lights. Fake fingernails stopped clicking the keyboard of her computer.

    Ken’s shorter than average male figure placed him eye level with Corinne, whose opposite desk butted his. Stubby fingers ran through his dark crewcut. Something was nagging him. “My father, a good engineer by the way, and I were discussing the poor public infrastructure these days last night. Our engineers today build things only strong enough to be both safe and less expensive. Dad remarked that we live in a world of limited resources, so we build with lesser quality materials, using less skilled and cheaper labor. Developers, lenders, builders, and realtors make quick money out of an infrastructure that won’t last.” He paused for emphasis. “Thus we have tragic aftermaths like the Pine Knoll fire.” 

    “Unfortunately, I have to agree with you,” said Corinne. “Come here. Take a look at what I’ve discovered about the top figures involved in that project.”

    Ken skirted their desks to stand behind Corinne, leaning over her shoulder to get a better view of the computer screen. “It says here that Bob Harmon was the foreman on that job, working under the direction of architect Graham Stellarman. Graham has been implicated in suspicious projects in the past, but nothing concrete has been proven against him. He has a reputation for bidding low on city projects and receives lucrative contracts as a result. He and our mayor, Trevor Davis, appear to be bosom buddies.” Corinne scrolled to another screen. “Business must be good because he lives in a fancy gated community outside Seattle. You see his name everywhere, on social and city boards, charity and political fund raisers, sponsors kid’s events---” Corrine shut the screen down. “Deep in my gut, I don’t trust the man.”      

    Ken returned to his own desk. “Have we got anything new on the poker chip murders?” 

    “The guy fished out of Lake Union has been identified as Steve Porter. Get this, Ken. He went to the same college as Dr. David Williams. Think maybe they were gambling buddies? The casinos in the area have no record of either of them. Aren’t there rumors floating around that there are a few private poker clubs in the basement of certain food establishments?”

    “I’ve heard of those rumors myself. We did find evidence of a private boarder living at the Williams’ floating home. A woman by the name of Katie MacKenzie. Apparently a student at UW. That’s all we’ve come up with so far.”

    “Wasn’t there a legal brief in their safe, concerning the adoption of an infant? What was that lawyer’s name?” Corinne rubbed her chin. “Maybe we should contact him. It might provide us with another lead.”