Scratchgravel Road (Josie Gray Mysteries #2)(41)
“Okay. What about the car?”
“No car registered in his name,” Lou said. “Marta also took prints around the door. She said to give her a call if you want her back there,” Lou said.
“All right.”
“One more thing. Marta talked to the postmaster. He said they left mail in front of his apartment door for several days and just took it back to the post office this morning until further notice. Nobody has picked up for five days.”
“Great. Thanks, Lou. That’s a start.”
Josie sat at the table where Diego and Otto had just settled.
“I’ve heard stories about why they named this place the Feed Plant,” Otto said. “Any truth to the rumors?”
“There’s a little truth in every rumor.” Diego smiled slightly. The intensity in his demeanor had subsided somewhat, but his face looked worn since hearing the news that one of his employees might have been murdered. “The name is actually quite accurate, although the motivation for using the name was probably twofold.” Diego crossed his legs and settled into the role of tour guide again. “The Feed Plant took in uranium materials; most of it shipped to us from the African Congo. The raw material was processed using a variety of steps in several units within the plant until we had enriched uranium. It was then sent to other nuclear sites around the country. Our material became fuel for nuclear bombs. We helped feed the bombs. Thus the name.”
Josie didn’t hide the suspicious look on her face. “They didn’t call it the Feed Plant to trick people in the community into thinking it was harmless? A place that created animal feed?”
He smiled. “Of course they did! This was back in the day when secrets were respected. When people knew the government kept secrets for their own good. And people were fine with that. They appreciated the grave responsibility the president carried. There were secrets and respect. Frankly, we could use more of both in today’s world.”
Four men walked through a door at the far end of the cafeteria. Diego’s expression turned serious. “Skip told the men the basics of what you shared with us. He explained that you had questions to ask about their coworker.”
Josie watched as they walked across the cafeteria. All four men wore loose-fitting blue jumpsuits with their names machine embroidered on their breast pockets. As they walked across the room, Josie noticed each man wore the same style boots that the body had been found wearing.
Diego stood as they approached and thanked them for coming. An earnest-looking man in his early twenties, with an unruly mop-top haircut and square wire-rimmed glasses, led the line of men. An older man, who looked to be in his forties, remained standing as the other three sat. He had a buzz cut, protruding ears, and fleshy lips. In a loud voice reminiscent of a drill sergeant he said, “My name is Andrew Magnetty. This is Bobby Cahill.” He pointed at the mop-head, who nodded once at Josie and Otto. “This is Jim Sanders and Brent Thyme.” Jim was a gangly young man who looked like a high school ball player still fighting acne and awkward social manners. Josie recognized Brent from around Artemis. He was about her age, early thirties, and was married to Sarah, one of the waitresses at the Hot Tamale. He had red hair and a spray of freckles across his face and hands. He smiled politely and nodded as he was introduced.
Josie introduced herself and Otto. She explained their purpose for being there, and said, “I appreciate you all talking with us. I want you to understand that the man’s identity hasn’t been confirmed. The man we found may not be Juan Santiago. But his time of death corresponds with the day he showed up missing from work. We’re hoping to find out information from the four of you that will help us find him or confirm his identity.” She was quiet for a moment, allowing the information to settle. She often used wait-time during interviews. Rushing people in high-stress situations rarely resulted in good information.
“We’ll interview each of you separately. That will give you a chance to answer based on your own observations of Santiago, rather than your answer being influenced by your coworkers.”
Otto started his pocket recorder and laid it in the middle of the table. He went through the basic information of time and place and collected all of their names and their relationship to the deceased man.
Josie nodded at the drill sergeant, who took the lead in introducing the group. “Mr. Magnetty, we’ll start with you. The rest of you can take a seat here in the cafeteria and we’ll get you back to work as soon as possible.”
The other three stood and walked to a table at the far end of the cafeteria and sat down without talking. Josie faced Magnetty. “Officer Podowski will be recording the interview unless you have an objection.”
“No, ma’am, that’s fine.”
“Okay. The first thing we need to do is start piecing together Santiago’s life, and right now, the four of you are the only links we have.”
He nodded.
“Why don’t you start by describing Juan, both professionally and personally.”
“Juan took orders and followed through. He kept quiet and did the job. No questions.” Josie noted that Diego was watching him intently. “I tried to cut up with him a few times but he didn’t like it. He’d smile, but that was it.” He looked over at his coworkers sitting across the room. “They probably never saw him cut up either. Pretty serious guy.”