Page 16 of In Her Bed
Something in Jenna’s tone must have conveyed her genuine understanding, because Rebecca’s professional veneer softened momentarily.“Thank you.It’s been...challenging.Dad’s heart attack was unexpected, and his will is—” She paused, glancing around at the massive collection.“Let’s just say he was more organized with his radios than his legal affairs.”
“I can only imagine,” Jenna said.“My father passed five years ago.The paperwork alone was overwhelming.”
Rebecca nodded, a flash of recognition passing between them—the shared understanding of those who’ve walked similar paths.“I’ve taken leave from my practice in Connecticut, but I can only stay another week.Hence the rushed estate sale.”She gestured at the visitors examining the collection.“I’m trying to be selective about buyers.Dad would have wanted his pieces to go to people who appreciate them, not just those with the deepest pockets.”
“That’s very considerate,” Jake said.“Most would just auction everything off to the highest bidder.”
“I’ve had offers.”Rebecca’s mouth tightened.“But these weren’t just possessions to my father.They were his passion.Each piece has a story.”
Chief Morgan cleared his throat.“Rebecca, we’re here about a specific item that may have been sold recently.”
Jenna pulled out her phone and brought up the photo of the ham radio they’d discovered at Derrick’s trailer.She turned the screen toward Rebecca.“We believe this was part of your father’s collection.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened with immediate recognition.“Yes, that’s from Dad’s collection.A 1950s Hallicrafters S-85 with original tubes.”Her finger hovered over the screen, pointing to a small mark on the side.“That scratch on the casing—Dad said it added character.”
“Do you remember who purchased this particular piece?”Jenna asked, watching Rebecca’s face carefully.
“Of course.It was just a few days ago.”Rebecca frowned slightly.“A man named Derrick, I believe.He was—” She paused, searching for the right word.“Intense.Particularly about the radio having original vacuum tubes, not transistors or microchips.He asked a lot of technical questions I couldn’t answer.”
Jenna exchanged glances with Jake.“What else can you tell us about him or the purchase?”
Rebecca led all four investigators to a small sitting area at the side of the gallery, away from the other visitors.They settled into leather armchairs as she continued.
“The man you’re asking about, Mr.Derrick, wasn’t what I’d call a typical collector.Most of Dad’s enthusiasts are either nostalgic older men or young audiophiles who appreciate analog sound.He seemed...”She frowned, choosing her words carefully.“He seemed almost desperate to have that specific radio.When I quoted the price, he wasn’t fazed.Although he looked rather scruffy, I take it that he’s independently well-off.I’m sure I could have charged him much more for the radio, but I didn’t.”
“That was generous of you,” Jenna said.
Rebecca shrugged.“He clearly cared about the technology, not just the acquisition.He kept talking about the ‘purity’ of vacuum tubes versus modern circuitry.”She gave a small smile.“Dad would have approved.”
Jenna leaned forward slightly.“Ms.Mitchell, I’m afraid I have some difficult news.Marcus Derrick was found dead yesterday morning.”
Rebecca’s hand went to her throat.“Dead?How?Was it—” She stopped, visibly processing this information, her legal training perhaps kicking in to prevent her from jumping to conclusions.
“It’s being investigated as a homicide,” Jenna confirmed gently.
“And the radio is connected somehow?”Rebecca asked, her gaze sharpening despite her shock.
“We’re exploring all possibilities,” Jake interjected smoothly.“The radio was found at his residence.”
Colonel Spelling, who had been observing silently, spoke up.“Did Mr.Derrick mention feeling threatened or afraid when he was here?”
Rebecca shook her head.“Not explicitly, no.He certainly seemed paranoid about technology in general, made some comments about government surveillance through modern electronics.But he didn’t mention any specific threats.”
“Was there anyone else who seemed particularly interested in that radio?”Jenna asked.“Anyone who might have been upset that Derrick purchased it?”
The question caused a visible change in Rebecca’s demeanor.Her shoulders tensed, and her expression hardened.
“Actually, yes.There was someone.”She smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her skirt.“A man named Harris Lynch was very interested in it.He came by multiple times, making increasingly aggressive offers.”
Chief Morgan made a sound somewhere between a scoff and a growl.“Lynch.I might have known.”
Jenna glanced at Morgan.“You know him?”
“Everyone in Pinecrest knows Harris Lynch,” Morgan said with undisguised contempt.“Owns a shop called Golden Legend Treasures.Sells ‘oddities’ and antiques, though half his merchandise is probably something that fell off the back of a truck.”
“I refused to sell to him,” Rebecca stated firmly.“His reputation preceded him, and the way he spoke about the equipment—it was clear he only saw dollar signs, not historical value.”
“You made the right call,” Morgan assured her.“Lynch is a known sleaze who has been cited for harassment more than once.Follows people, makes threats when he doesn’t get what he wants.”
