Double Take

Cheney said, “Evidently there were a couple of dozen people Dr. Ransom was seeing at the time of his death. The SFPD concluded that none of them seemed likely. You included, sir.”

Thomas Pallack shrugged. “Well, it certainly wasn’t you, Julia. The idea that you married August for his money is ludicrous. I mean, even if you’d wanted to, there is no way August would have been unaware of your intentions. But you know”—he cocked his head at her—”I suppose it was natural for them to wonder why you did marry him.”

“Perhaps you can ask Soldan,” she said.

“Perhaps I can,” he said.

Cheney asked, “You saw Soldan Meissen last night, Mr. Pallack?”

“Yes. Normally my visits are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. However, because of an unavoidable commitment on Wednesday, I had to see Soldan last night. I assume you already know my regular schedule.”

Cheney nodded. “And you were left feeling dissatisfied again last evening?”

“Agent Stone, my parents weren’t very talkative last night. I was disappointed, but this sometimes happens. They appeared to have a lot on their minds, their focus seemed scattered. They weren’t interested in discussing my problems.”

Julia said, “What do your parents think of Charlotte?”

That was a conversation stopper, Savich thought.

“My wife?”

“Yes, what do they think of her, Thomas? I’m simply interested because, like August and me, Charlotte is much younger than you. Does this disturb your parents?”

“They have no problem at all with Charlotte. My mother thinks she’s beautiful. As a matter of fact, she is always telling me Charlotte is well-meaning, a positive influence on me.”

Since Julia had brought up Charlotte, maybe it was time— maybe—and so Savich said, “Mr. Pallack, speaking of your wife, when did you last speak to your brother-in-law, David Caldicott?”

To everyone’s surprise, Thomas Pallack shoved back from his desk, bounded to his feet. He was quick for his age. “What is this about, Agent Savich?”

Surely this show of temper was over the top. Savich said easily, “It simply came to mind, sir. I gather you are aware your brother-in-law failed to show up for the symphony performance last night. His girlfriend has reported him missing.”

Pallack sucked in lots of air, seemed to calm a bit. He sat back down. But there was deep suspicion in his eyes and in his voice. “Very well, if you must know, I spoke to David last week, I believe. He was fine, he was happy with his girlfriend, he was pleased to be playing with the Atlanta Symphony. Why is this at all to the point? So he missed a single performance? Perhaps he was ill. David isn’t missing, that’s nonsense.”

Savich said, “Fact remains, no one’s seen him since yesterday.” Pallack laughed. “I admit, missing a performance is unlike him, but these things happen. Let me tell you, David probably took off for New Orleans and is at this moment jamming in some smoky hole with some of his grotty musician friends. He’s done this before, gone away for up to a week. He forgets everything. He’s not missing. This is absurd.”

Cheney asked, “Has he ever disappeared on one of his unplanned jaunts since he joined the Atlanta symphony?”

Pallack shrugged. “I can see this alarms you. I will ask Charlotte what she knows about this, if anything. I doubt she even knows anyone is looking for him. Of what concern is this to the FBI?”

Savich said, “The FBI interviewed David Caldicott in connection with another case, Mr. Pallack. The agents who interviewed him felt he was holding something back, and then he up and disappeared. It seems logical that his disappearance may be related, don’t you agree?”

“I fail to see how, Agent Savich.”

“Bear with me, sir. Tell us, do you know Chappy Holcombe?”

“Naturally I know Chappy Holcombe. Again, you are journeying far afield, Agent Savich. What does Chappy have to do with any of this?”

“You have visited Maestro, Virginia? To visit Chappy?”

“Yes, once, quite a while ago. On business. Why?”

“Was this when your brother-in-law was studying at Stanislaus Music School?”

“Perhaps, but I didn’t know David Caldicott until right before I married Charlotte. He came out here to meet me. So what? Listen, Agent Savich, I’ve had about enough of this.” Thomas Pallack rose slowly and leaned over, his palms flat on his desk. It was an excellent intimidation pose, Sherlock thought. “You will tell me what is behind these intrusive questions or I will call my lawyer. Trust me on this, you do not want me to call my lawyer.”