Chapter 22. a Verdict, a Tackle, and a Missing Pin #3
“Because it presented an opportunity to promote River Valley Ranch,” Gentry replied. “I’m proud of what we’re doing here. It feels good to build beautiful homes for people to enjoy.” He turned to me. “Given your line of work, I suspect you feel the same.”
It was true. I was proud to remodel old buildings into fresh and functional residences.
But I didn’t like to think I had anything in common with this man.
At best, he was responsible for the decimation of forests for new subdivisions and the exploitation of folks in older neighborhoods that he bought out for pennies and gentrified.
At worst, he might be a cold-blooded killer who’d turned Tyler Yee into a shish kebab. I nodded begrudgingly.
Gentry smiled. “I’ll admit I was flattered by the interview request. I always am. It’s nice to be recognized as someone who’s outstanding in their field, an expert.”
Alonzo’s eyes narrowed. “You assumed the piece would be positive toward you because…?”
He chuckled. “Because I’m media savvy. His interview wouldn’t be my first rodeo. I know how to steer the conversation and get my message across in ways that can’t be twisted and used against me.”
“Sounds like a useful skill,” Alonzo said. “How did the interview go?”
“It didn’t. That’s why I said there was no relationship.”
“It didn’t happen because…?”
He pointed downward. “We were supposed to meet right here at half past noon two weeks ago last Monday, the day he died. I stuck around until one o’clock, but he never showed. Never called, either. At the time, I thought it was rude, but I didn’t know then that he wasn’t able to get in touch.”
My heart ramped up again. Gentry had admitted he was down here in Leipers Fork the day Tyler was murdered. That increases the odds he’s the killer, doesn’t it?
Gentry continued to fill us in. “I had to leave at one to catch a flight to Charleston. I was originally supposed to fly out that morning, but I rescheduled because I had some things I needed to check on here first.”
“Like what?”
“The model home. The crew had finished and I took a look around to make sure everything was as it should be and that there was no finish work still to be done. We’d hired a company to bury the electrical lines, and I also drove around to make sure each lot was properly flagged to indicate where the lines were laid. ”
Alonzo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Aren’t those types of things usually the job of the construction foreman?”
“They are,” Gentry agreed, “but I make sure to follow up on my staff and crew on occasion. It keeps them on their toes and ensures nothing falls through the cracks. I spent some time online that day, too. I’m looking for a property in the area that would be suitable for a small-scale country club.
People out here need somewhere to play tennis and pickleball, practice their golf swing, swim, socialize.
If I find a big enough property, we could put in a par-three golf course.
I had hoped to buy the property next door, the one with the riverfront where Whitney and her cousin are remodeling the barn.
The owner wouldn’t sell, though, despite my offering her well above market value for it. I’ve had to look elsewhere.”
We already knew this, of course, and he probably knew we knew. His big offer on the Pittman property was the impetus for Tyler’s interview request.
Alonzo asked, “You didn’t call Mr. Yee’s cell phone to find out why he hadn’t kept your appointment because…?”
“I didn’t have his number,” Gentry said. “I hadn’t bothered to get it when he called to set up the interview. I’m a busy man and Yee was the one asking for my time. As far as I was concerned, any follow-up was on him.”
“Can anyone verify that you were here that Monday?”
A cloud passed over Gentry’s face and he cocked his head, his face tight. “I assumed you came here to see if I had any helpful information. You’re not implying I’m a suspect, are you?” He barked a laugh. “That would be ridiculous.”
Alonzo cocked her head. “Would it?”
“Of course it would. But I suppose you’re only doing your job.
” He started to cross his arms over his chest, but then seemed to realize it was a defensive posture and slid his hands into his pants pockets instead.
“My salesman can vouch for my whereabouts that morning. He’s out showing some folks around now, but he’ll be back soon. ”
“Good.” Alonzo pulled the clear plastic bag containing the pin from her pocket and held it up.
Gentry craned his neck to get a better look, but didn’t reach out to touch the bag. “Is that one of the contributor pins from the Redemption Fellowship?”
“It is,” Alonzo said. “A platinum one. Not many have been issued at this price point.”
Gentry seemed nonplussed. “Not many people can afford to be so generous. I count myself lucky to be among them.” He gestured to the bag. “Is that the evidence you mentioned earlier? The thing Whitney found?”
“It is.” Alonzo returned the pin to her pocket and posed another question in her typical style. “I notice you’re not wearing your Redeemed pin. You don’t have it on because…?”
“I don’t make a habit of wearing it,” Gentry replied. “Some people are put off by overtly religious symbols. I don’t want to risk alienating a potential investor or business associate.”
“But you do normally wear it to the church,” Alonzo said. “Devin and Bess Carmichael told me so.”
“Naturally. I know I’m among like-minded people there, and it’s not going to offend anyone. On the contrary, they’ll know by the pin that I’m a committed member of the congregation.”
“But you didn’t wear your pin to the fellowship dinner last night because…?”
“I forgot to put it on.” Gentry shrugged. “I’m human. Not a young human, either.” He offered a grin.
“Your pin is still in your possession, then?”
“It’s at home atop my dresser,” he said matter-of-factly. “Same place I keep my watch and wallet.”
“All right,” Alonzo said. “Let’s go there now so you can show me.”
Gentry gave her a patronizing look. “I’d like to help you, Detective.
I really would. But my schedule is fully booked today.
Once I’m done here, I have a lunch meeting with the architect who is designing the homes for the development.
After that, I’ve got an appointment at the bank to discuss refinancing a loan. ”
“All right,” Alonzo acquiesced. “You expect to arrive home at…?” She raised a brow in question.
“Five thirty or thereabouts,” he said.
“Perfect. I’ll meet you at your house.”
“You need my address?”
“Already got it.”
Gentry appeared none too pleased by that fact. Alonzo turned to go, but Gentry stopped her with a question posed to me. “Where did you find that pin exactly?”
I looked to Alonzo, who gave me a nod, indicating I could share this information with Gentry. “It was stuck to the bottom of my work boot. I must have picked it up at the barn the day Tyler Yee was killed.”
“The barn?” he repeated. “You didn’t wear your boots anywhere else that day?”
“I walked down to the coffee shop to wait while the crime scene was processed, but that was it.”
“I like that place. Stop there every time I’m down this way. The barista who works the early shift makes a mean brew. If you haven’t had their Almond Joy latte with the cocoa powder and coconut milk, you should give it a try. You won’t be sorry.”
He’d never been so cordial to me before and, given the circumstances, his friendliness felt forced and fake.
“I’ve tried it.” The barista had made the drink for me the morning Yee died. “They call it the Cocoa-Nutty.”
“Then you know what I’m talking about.” Gentry angled his head and stroked his goatee, as if pondering. “That place gets really busy in the mornings, lots of folks needing a pick-me-up. You suppose someone could have lost their pin at the coffee shop and you stepped on it while you were there?”
I looked to Detective Alonzo again, who nodded, giving me permission to continue. “No. That’s not possible. I put booties over my work boots before I went inside. If I’d stepped on the pin there, it would’ve gone through the booty and held it on when I went to remove it later.”
His fingers paused on his chin. “You sure about that? In my experience, those paper booties tear easily. We use them in properties with new carpeting and more than once I’ve put my foot right through one of them.”
It sounded as though he was already thinking defensively. Before I could respond, the door of the trailer opened and the salesman walked in, alone. Through the window, a fortyish couple could be seen climbing into the Audi.
“How’d it go?” Gentry asked the salesman.
He cast a glance at Detective Alonzo and me before turning back to his boss. “They’re interested in lot fifty-seven. They’re going to talk to their mortgage company and put in an offer.”
“Good job.” Gentry clapped the man on the shoulder before introducing him to Detective Alonzo.
“She’s investigating the death that happened at that property behind the shopping center.
She’s got some questions for you.” He introduced me, as well.
“This is Whitney Flynn. She’s working at the property, rehabbing the barn. ”
“We’ve met,” said the salesman.
Gentry’s brows rose in surprise. “You have?”
“She came by a while back. She had some questions about an easement.”
When Gentry eyed me, I said, “Your legal department answered them for me.”
Alonzo turned to the salesman. “Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”