Chapter 20
This was always the hardest part of the job.
It seemed like Ray had the perfect life, and it was all taken away in a heartbeat.
I said, “I know this is a difficult time, but can you think of anyone who wanted to harm Ray?”
Dana blotted her eyes, sniffled, and said, “No. Everybody loved Ray. He was so kind and compassionate. He’d go out of his way to help. Coached Little League and was involved in the community. He’d give you the shirt off his back.”
“What about disgruntled clients?”
“Well, you can’t make everyone happy. But as you see, Ray would service a unit any time, day or night.
He ran a small mom-and-pop shop. Not like these corporate guys who try to screw their customers at every turn.
His prices were reasonable, and you just couldn’t get that level of service anywhere else.
I know a private equity firm has been trying to buy him out, but he wouldn’t sell.
The same company owns seven other local companies. They all price fix to keep rates high.”
I shared a look with Jack.
“What’s the name of the company?”
“I don’t know offhand. I’d have to look.”
“What about employees? Has he had any problems? Did he let anyone go recently?”
Dana cringed. "I hadn’t really thought about that, but he fired Cliff not long ago.”
“What was the circumstance?”
"Cliff was showing up drunk, using drugs. He was rude to customers, and Ray caught him selling and installing units on the side. He was running his own private business at our expense.”
“That would be a reason for termination,” I said in an understated tone. “How did Cliff react?”
"Not well. Cliff is a volatile personality. The drinking and drug use don't help. I think when he's sober, he's a nice guy, but when he's been drinking, he gets belligerent."
“Did he make any threats?”
"I wasn't present when Ray fired him. But I imagine words were exchanged.”
“I’ll need contact information for Cliff and the private equity group, if you can find it.”
She nodded.
“I don’t mean to be indelicate, but did Ray gamble or dabble with drugs?”
Her face tightened. “No. Never. Ray didn’t even drink.”
She thought about it for a moment. "You know, this is probably nothing, but…
Ray had a little problem with one of the parents on his Little League team.
He benched the kid during the playoffs and the championship game.
That didn't sit well with the kid’s father.
He's one of those over-parenting types. Former athlete himself. Thinks his kid is going to go pro. He was livid when Ray made his kid sit out the last couple of games.”
"Why?”
"The kid has a discipline problem. He's a downright bully. He beat up another kid and put him in the hospital. Fractured the boy’s orbital bone. That boy is lucky he didn't lose his vision.”
"Who’s the kid’s parent?"
"Ken Boyd. Little Bobby is a downright menace." Dana lifted an eyebrow. "I wouldn't be surprised if you have run-ins with the kid when he becomes an adult."
"How old is little Bobby now?”
"I think he's 12 or 13. He's big for his age.”
I shared a look with Jack, then said, "I'm sure he wasn't happy about sitting on the bench either.”
"No, he wasn't." She started putting all the pieces together. "You don't think he did this, do you?"
"Right now, we’re keeping open to all possibilities.”
I didn’t want to think about the possibility of a 13-year-old killing someone, but it wasn't unheard of. Not in this day and age.
“I mean, I feel bad for the kid. His mother died a few years ago, and Ken is raising Bobby on his own.” She gave a sympathetic frown.
"How was your relationship with your husband?" I asked in as casual a voice as I could muster.
Dana looked a little confused. "It was great. Why?"
"Just standard questions. I have to ask.”
She nodded.
“No extramarital affairs?”
She tucked her chin, and her eyes widened.
"Not on my end, I can assure you of that!
" Dana shook her head. "Ray wouldn’t do something like that either.
He was loyal to a fault. We loved each other, Deputy.
I'm not sure how I'm going to move forward without him. How am I gonna break this news to the kids?” She teared up again, and her throat tightened.
“They're going to be devastated. They loved their father.”
She sobbed and wiped her eyes.
"I can't imagine how hard this must be for you and them." Then I added, "Have you been here at the house all night?”
She nodded.
"What about friends?" I asked. “Anyone who might have additional insight into Ray's life? Things he might not have told you.”
She looked a little offended by that. "Ray and I told each other everything. We didn’t keep any secrets from each other.” Then she admitted, “But you should talk to Wade. That was his best friend.”
I gave her a card, and she sent me contact information. I offered our condolences once again and thanked her for her cooperation. "We might have some additional questions for you. We’ll keep you posted as this develops.”
"Thank you. Please find the man, or boy, who did this.”
"We will do our best," I said.
We left and strolled the walkway to the van. We climbed inside, and JD said, “What do you think?”
"Right now, I think there's a good chance Bobby Boyd took his father's gun and put a bullet into the back of Ray's head. But I hope I'm wrong.”
Jack frowned and shook his head in dismay.
I fired up the engine, pulled away from the curb, and we set out to find Wade Norrington. He had a few more interesting things to tell us about Ken Boyd.