Investigation Explanation

By Atonia and Stacey

Richie was on the phone when Miss Peeg and Zack Grant got back from their adventure in Coffs at the antique shop, she rushed down the hall and got the first aid kit and went into the bathroom to see what damage had been done to her head.

It was only a small cut and she cleaned it up and added a band-aid, parting her hair she could see and feel a lump where the killer had bashed her in the head with a candlestick. She took a couple of aspirins and came back out stowing the kit away. Zack was still sitting in a chair in her office and Richie was still on the phone.

“It’s nothing to worry about,” she said quietly indicating her head and glancing toward Richie’s door. She had a pounding headache but otherwise felt okay, a little apprehensive perhaps for the coming interview with Mr. Roberts. He was soon off the phone.

“Miss Peeg, how’d it go?” he walked over to his door and saw Grant look at Miss Peeg who’s expression told a story of its own. A growing sense of dread hit him, “I guess you’d better come in and sit down.”

“Well, sir,” she looked at Zack, “shall I begin? Well sir,” she sat up straight in her chair, “I asked Mr. Grant to accompany me to the antique store to talk with Mr. Penworth and he was ever so kind to agree. I made the call to make sure he would be there and dashed home for my little miniature didn’t I, and then we drove to Coffs and I found the sad little store and then…we went in and then…”

“Why did you ask Zack to go?” He looked from one to the other but Miss Peeg was on a roll.

“For back-up of course, one never knows you see and it was a good thing I did because poor Mr. Penworth was dead wasn’t he?”

“What!” Richie’s voice rose.

"Penworth had been stabbed, the killer was still there when Miss Peeg and I got there," Zack explained, "We must have surprised him because when we walked through to the back room, he was waiting there on the other side of the curtain and hit Miss Peeg, knocking her out and back into me.  I never got a look at the guy, but Miss Peeg was able to describe him fairly well."

“Who have you contacted Zack?” Richie asked looking at Miss Peeg and noting the band-aid on her forehead, “You okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine Mr. Roberts,” Miss Peeg said, looking to Zack.

"Called the locals from a payphone after we'd gotten about a mile or two from the shop" Zack told him. He sat forward, ran a hand through his hair, "Didn't give my name, just the facts, minus Miss Peeg and I."

“That was a close call,” Richie looked at Miss Peeg, “Scott said we weren’t dealing with nice guys you might have ended up just like Mr. Penworth. I wonder how the killer knew you were coming?”

“I did call ahead to make sure he would be there,” Miss Peeg answered.

“Sounds like he may have had company when you called. Listen Zack sorry you got caught up in this, I had intended to involve you later on if you were willing to help out. Scott specifically asked that I not involve the police with my investigation, you did the right thing by calling in like you did. Scott didn’t spell it out but I think he suspects somebody on the local force as being involved somehow. Scott has been their go-to man for anything involving antiques or pricey collectibles for years. He wants to keep his name out of this. I’d like to keep mine out too until we find the source of the forgeries. So since you’ve already got your feet wet, can I hire you to help out, are you in a position where you can?” Richie ran his hand over his face and rocked back in his chair.

Zack thought for a minute. The office he and White were setting up was about done; White was taking care of getting the business itself going. And with Zack still having a couple more weeks or so 'mandatory vacation', he did have the extra time on his hands. He ran a hand absently across his chin, looked up at Richie, "Yeah, think I could manage it," he said, adding, "I'll need a rundown on all the information you've got on the case so far, any leads or contacts you've got - other than the deceased, of course."

“Unfortunately the deceased might have proved a valuable contact, Miss Peeg take the rest of the day, go home and put your feet up. You might think about just how dangerous tearing off like you did can be.” He looked at Zack, “It does no good to tell her no or that she cannot do something once she sets her mind to it.”

“Mr. Roberts I am perfectly fine and able to finish out my day,” she received a glowering look from Richie, “However, I shall go home and make a cup of tea.” She rose and went out of the office, remembering the gun in her purse, she slipped it back into her desk drawer, tidied up her space and left.

Richie pulled the file Scott had given him, “this is all I got from Scott, it’s quite detailed take it and read over it then you will know as much as I do.  I know nothing about the little miniatures but forgeries I can understand. Can you imagine paying nearly a hundred thousand dollars for a painted portrait about the size of a quarter?” Richie shook his head, “these knock-offs are going for about 20,000 and causing a big problem for serious dealers and collectors. Scott basically wants the source uncovered and stopped.  He has an idea they’re coming in from off shore, possibly Singapore.” Richie pulled a photo out of the file and passed it over to Zack, “this is what we’re talking about.”

Zack took the file, scanned the contents, "I still got some contacts might be able to help us on this," he told Richie, running down the list of people he'd met during his time working with the Feds. "Tell ya what, let me go through this, make a few calls, see what I can come up with and I'll get back to you in a day or so."

“Sounds good, I’d appreciate any help you can give all of a sudden I am swamped with work, not that I’m complaining, but I did want to give this case the attention it needed.” He stood up and shook Zack’s hand, “If you need an assistant I uh can offer Miss Peeg,” he said grinning.

Zack grinned back, "Um... yeah, I'll get back to you on that one, too." He wondered if he should mention the gun she'd had stashed in her purse, then decided to let it slide. God help him if he got on the woman's bad side, he chuckled to himself. He walked to the door, wondering if the last number he had for Yoji was still good.