Ghost on the Case (Bailey Ruth #8)(60)

He could use any phone in the house to call Susan’s cell Wednesday night.

He grew up in the mansion, knew the surroundings, would be comfortable standing in the shadows by the lake to shoot the gun to implicate Susan after her arrival at the cabin.

He was young and strong, would have had no fear of dealing with Carl Ross.

He was smart, quick thinking. Was it quick thinking that prompted him to lay out the scenario that must have occurred, a knock on his father’s door, a familiar face, a claim the study light was on, the safe exposed, a suggestion they go down to see, a quick rush downstairs, the decision to open the safe and check its contents, a jarring blow from behind?

Points in Ben’s favor:

Red-rimmed eyes and difficulty talking about the murder of his father.

Successful businessman on his own and no apparent hunger to run the Fitch empire, instead accepting his role as CEO as a duty.

Attracted to Susan Gilbert.

Standing by Sylvie at the press conference, offering the weight of the family name.

George Kelly

Motive:

Money. A client like Ben Fitch would have absorbed most of Kelly’s time. How would he fare as a lawyer if Ben Fitch meant what he said, that Kelly was on his way out as the attorney for Fitch Enterprises? Now Kelly would continue to fatten on the Fitch money as he settled the estate for big fees and Ben Fitch would have no reason to fire him as the company lawyer.

Pride—Kelly lost a case Wilbur thought he

should have won, and no man in Oklahoma wants to be described as a steer, i.e., an emasculated bull.

Nothing succeeds like success and nothing is more damaging to a professional’s stature as the loss of a big client. Being dumped as Wilbur’s lawyer would likely have been devastating both financially and professionally.


Points against George:

If fired by Fitch, Kelly faced severe financial loss.

Fees for estate work will be substantial, perhaps a half million dollars.

A tough dude. Would have felt capable of dealing with Carl Ross.

Exhibited surprise to learn there was some doubt about Susan’s involvement.

Points in George’s favor:

Dismissed company employees as possible suspects. May have been negative about Susan because she turned him down for dates.

Appears relaxed and confident.

Was known to have combative relationship with Wilbur yet remained his lawyer. Likely Wilbur admired his attack-dog response to confrontation. Lawyers thrive on conflict. That’s what they do.

Harry Hubbard

Motive:

Greed. Harry Hubbard lived a soft and comfortable life. He worked for his stepfather but apparently his main duty was to serve as a golf companion. He never minded asking Wilbur for expensive gifts, used charm and good humor to inveigle indulgences. He inherited enough money to provide a great many luxuries.

Wilbur and his stepson were apparently on good terms with no suggestion of a quarrel or disagreement. Harry’s easy charm made it difficult to imagine him committing murder. In very different ways, Harry Hubbard and Ben Fitch were appealing and likable.


Points against Harry:

He wanted a lifestyle that exceeded his income.

He was knowledgeable about both Susan and Sylvie Gilbert.

He checked out long-term rentals for pricey condos in Aruba and Tahiti. Was this winter dreaming or making plans for a soon-to-come inheritance?

Inherits five hundred thousand dollars, which will buy a lot of expensive pleasures he couldn’t afford on his salary.

Didn’t have his usual affable expression in the FB photo with the poker players. Those were not the kind of dudes to owe money to. Could that be a problem for him?

Alan Douglas saw Harry as a house cat and not a risk-taker, but Harry persuaded Sylvie Gilbert to skydive with him.

Points in Harry’s favor:

Harry was charming, easygoing, never quarreled with anyone.

Harry dismissed the idea anyone at the company killed Wilbur, including Susan.

House cats are not lions.

The brilliant decoy of Sylvie to create the appearance of a kidnapping seemed as unlikely as Harry suddenly playing a Stradivarius.

“Not so fast,” I scolded myself. Harry might not be a whiz at algorithms, but he had an instinct for people, how to please them, charm them, motivate them to make the house cat purr.

Alan Douglas

Motive:

The SIMPLE Car. Wilbur turned down the SIMPLE Car, but Alan claimed Wilbur agreed to waive the company’s ownership. Now Alan counted on Ben making good on his father’s promise. What if there was no promise?

Alan’s life appeared to be fairly monastic. Perhaps his only passion was the orange plywood model of his brainchild. He appeared diffident, even gentle, but how would he react if his concept was not only dismissed but taken over as a work product belonging to the company?

Points against Alan:

He was single-minded in his pursuit of a goal.

According to Todd, Wilbur decided against creating the SIMPLE Car.

Alan cannot prove his claim that Wilbur gave him permission to pursue the idea on his own.

He was quick to impute a motive to George Kelly.

Chess players are good at intricate planning.

Points in Alan’s favor:

He appears to be gentle and diffident.

No one has said that Wilbur yelled at Alan.

Alan defended the innocence of Susan Gilbert as well as Harry Hubbard and Todd Garrett