CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
It took Ava only two minutes to get into the back of a cab and another thirteen minutes to get to Banking Solutions and Trust. It was only a total of fifteen minutes but each one of those minutes was valuable as the clock ticked closer and closer to noon. When she walked in, she instantly recalled where Albert Long’s desk had been, just inside off the main foyer. But his desk was currently unoccupied, littered with all manner of papers and books.
The building felt both stuffy and enormous as she looked around, taking note of the handful of workers who looked very tired as they looked over ledgers, numbers, and papers.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” a voice asked from behind her. She turned away from Long’s desk and saw a young man approaching. He was maybe thirty years of age, dressed appropriately for the business, and with a hopeful smile on his face.
“I was hoping to speak with Albert Long.”
“Ah, he’s not here at the moment, He probably won’t be back for another few hours. He’s out visiting clients today.”
Ava knew she wasn’t the best actress, but she had to work with what she had. This young man looked like the sort who was eager to help. His hands were clasped behind his back and he was eyeing her with the sort of anticipation that made her quite sure that when she left, he’d be taking one last lingering glance as she passed through the doors.
“Oh, well that’s unfortunate,” she said. She showed him her badge and used her best soft-spoken voice when she added: “He’s been helping me with some questions regarding the murder of Monty Lincoln and I really need to speak with him.”
“If you want to leave a message, I’ll make sure he gets it as soon as he returns.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” she said. And then, doing her best to stay in character, she smiled and said, “But you know…these are simple questions, really. Maybe even things you might be able to answer for me. Would you mind?”
His smile widened even as he tried to keep it contained. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I can certainly try.”
“As I’m sure you know, Mr. Long witnessed the terrible events that took Monty Lincoln’s life. I was curious what clients he has out in Harlem that would have had him out that way. Maybe I could talk to them.”
“Well, now, I don’t know specific names, but I do know that he’s been working with property managers out there, trying to sniff out owners that are looking to sell, given the current financial crisis.”
“I see, of course. Would you happen to know if the Candle’s Wick was one of those projects?”
The young man thought about it for a moment, eventually shaking his head. “I don’t believe so. Mr. Long knew that Mr. Lincoln had his eye on that property. And in most cases here, that would mean that our workers would back off as a sign of respect.”
“I don’t understand,” Ava said. “Why would Mr. Long care about what properties Mr. Lincoln was looking at?”
“Well, from the little I’ve heard and gathered, Mr. Long learned most everything he knew from Mr. Lincoln. They once worked together, you know. I believe Mr. Long was sort of a student or apprentice. I don’t believe it was for very long, though.”
This revelation struck Ava like an electric spark. Albert Long, the witness who had claimed Carter Epps had killed Monty, once worked with Monty, the victim. It seemed like the sort of thing that should have come up during the very brief questioning of Albert Long.
“Do you know how long they worked together?” Ava asked.
“I’m not quite sure…maybe four years? I don’t know the specifics, but Mr. Lincoln’s business let several people go all at once. Mr. Long was one of them, and I think it came as a surprise to a lot of people.”
“What was his line of business with Mr. Lincoln?”
“Same as here. Property manager and inspector.”
Word by word, this was starting to seem like the most important conversation she’d had in regards to this case. And though it had not yet come up, she couldn’t help but wonder if Long being fired had created a bit of resentment. With racial tensions high, the city panicking over the state of financial affairs, Long would have had the perfect opportunity to do away with Monty Lincoln and pin it on someone else—preferably a black man. Being a wealthy white man, surely Long knew how the law worked—and that he’d barely be given a passing glance if there were black suspects to point his finger at.
Whatever the case, there was certainly a story to be told there—a story Albert Long had conveniently left out when the police had talked to him and then when he and Frank had followed up.
“Would you by any chance know which clients he’s seeing today?” Ava asked. “I know it’s troublesome, but he’s been a massive help so far and we really need to speak with him again.”
A look of importance washed over the young man’s face, a look that seemed to say: Well, that’s right; Mr. Long is, after all, a very important man. He then checked his pocket watch and seemed to do some figuring in his head. “I know that he had an appointment with Strand and Dowery at eleven thirty, and that he was hoping wrap it up in time for lunch. If you were to leave now and catch a cab, you could probably beat him there and meet him before the meeting.”
Ava was a bit dramatic when she reached out and took the young man’s hand. “Thank you so much for this,” she said. “Truly, you’ve been a big help.”
“Of course.” He smiled confidently, in a way that told her he was used to getting his way when it came to that smile. And she could see why. He was good looking and the very confidence itself added more to it. She was sure the gals were all ditzy for him pretty much wherever he went.
Ava left quickly, happy to leave him in a state of thinking he’d not only helped the police, but perhaps fed Long’s ego as well. She wondered how the conversation may eventually go between the two of them when the young man learned why she really needed to speak with Long. However, if Ava’s hunch was right and things went as well as she hoped, Albert Long may never speak to his young and enthusiastic co-worker again.