Chapter Eight- Interviews
The cool air greeted Nautilus like a refreshing balm on a hot summer's day, as he pulled up and rolled down his window at the gate of the town house that Antonio Sharpe resided.
"Good Morning, Detective Inspector Nautilus to see Mr Sharpe," Nautilus said into the microphone, then waited for the buzz of the gate.
Nautilus sighed heavily, the weight of the job was already telling by the tension that he was carrying on his shoulders. He hated doing interviews of Marcus's business partner because he knew that Marcus or Molly would have already spoken to him and the interviews were just a formality, and Antonio Sharpe gave the law man the eeby jeebies.
Antonio was rather diminutive but had an ego of some one that was over six feet six inches, and he had money to boot. In the past ten years Antonio was linked directly to the Gotcha Gang in the old capital and had been investigated for murder, extortion, drugs and his involvement in politics seemed to have cleaned up his image and now Antonio was on several boards, organized multiple charitable runs and entertainment activities that allowed him to give back to the society. The combination of old money and mildew of danger was like a cobweb around Antonio that made Nautilus think about counting his words in the event there would be blow back.
"Lord, into the mind field I go." Nautilus said while he parked in the designated spot and walked up the red cobbled stoned lined drive way. He inhaled deeply filling his lungs of the fresh air. There weren't many vehicles present, but he was heading though the rear of the premises and Nautilus felt as if he was visiting Busha.
"Fudge," he swore as he observed the staff clad in black and white outfits and the men in long, black coats hurrying to and fro with huge silver chargers balanced on their fingertips.
"Follow me Mr. Policeman." The tall dark Haitianlooking man said in a French creole.
Nautilus screwed up his face upon hearing the man speak and wondered if the man had a work permit to be in Jamaica, but decided against saying anything.
The huge panel doors that were stained dark to match the floor boards that creaked, opened, and the dim light of candles greeted Nautilus eyes. His eye lids fluttered to adjust.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Sharpe will be with you shortly," the Haitian said.
Nautilus looked around and it was as if he had gone back in time to the Colonial past inside a great house on a plantation. Subtle undertones of laughter could be heard coming from the next room and the din of crystal glasses coming into contact with each other. Nautilus strained his ears to hear, but he swore he heard soft moans each time the doors opened and closed.
Moments later, Antonio Sharpe emerged clad in a crimson coloured smoking jacket licking his fingers.
Nautilus watched as the little man held out the same hand that he had just licked.
Nautilus at first declined, but then decided against it.
"Detective, Marcus told me you were swinging by, but he did not specify a time. I am in the middle of a breakfast meeting. Would you like a cup of coffee, fruits or something to eat?" Antonio asked.
Nautilus thought about it for a split second while wiping his hands off on his black pants.
"Sure, some orange juice would be fine." Nautilus replied.
Antonio chuckled.
"Come, my friend." Antonio said with a huge grin.
Antonio opened the door and Nautilus head was thrown back in shock. The long mahongony table was filled with fruits of all kinds, but what shocked Nautilus even more was the vessels that bore the succulent treats. People were laughing, drinking freshly squeezed orange juice almost directly from the upturned breasts of naked women whose ebony skin glistened as if they were oiled and massaged with honey. Nautilus had heard about a place in the hills of Manchester that had roman decadence, but it was the first time he had seen Rome for himself. The guests were fully clothed and wore masks that covered their eyes, but the plates and servers were naked as the day they were born. Women had onion rings from the curved phalluses of male servers while the male guest eat and drank from the Nubian bodies. Men were lapping milk and honey from the nexus of the thighs of young naked girls while they moaned softly inecstasy.
Nautilus felt goose pimples rise on his skin, but he could not resist looking and listening.
"Orange juice detective, freshly squeezed?" Antonio asked pointing towards a beautiful young woman.
"No, no," Nautilus replied.
Have a seat beside me at the table Antonio said as Nautilus watched the smile on Antonio's face grow, knowing that the detective was very uncomfortable.
Nautilus swallowed hard as he heard the tell- tale signs of one of the young ladies on the table who was about to climax while the fair skinned man with his face buried between her thick thighs was lapping at the warm milk that ran down the hillock and between the ravine of eden. Nautilus shifted from side to side in the chair, his hardcover book that was in his lap wanted to rise, but the senior cop focused.
"Is there somewhere private where we can speak Mr Sharpe?" Nautilus asked.
Antonio called a server over to him and while she stood like a perfect ebony statue, he eat grapes that were nestles between her huge breasts, while playing with the bush-less juncture between her thighs.
"I would rather not Detective, my attorney is right here listening to your questions.
"Ok if you don't mind me recording the session," Nautilus replied..
"No, go right ahead." Nautilus watched as Antonio's lips closed around an errant grape that had found its way to a nipple. He watched as the woman trembled.
"Where were you at 6:30 last Monday?" Nautilus asked.
"Uhmmm," Antonio moaned,as the juice from the grapes spewed from his lips.
"I was at a lodge meeting and half of the people in this room can vouch for me." Antonio replied.
"Did you have any business with Richard Hellbent?" Nautilus followed up.
"Detective, are you asking if I was jealous that the Doctor was having sex with the woman that made me into the man I am today?" Antonio asked with frustration as his fingers twirled beneath the quivering stomach muscles.
Nautilus could not help but look at the woman who was biting her lips and tried desperately not to look at him.
"No, Stephanie Lisa was my college crush. If it wasn't for her I would not have been motivated to become a rich successful business man that has the Commissioner of Police on speed dial. You chose to attend my breakfast meeting and insult my hospitality and then ask ridiculous questions about my whereabouts." Antonio looked at Nautilus mockingly as he played with the woman's sensitivity and she could not hold back any longer.
Her breathing became shorter and more erotic.
"Shit, this makes no flipping sense," Nautilus said aloud.
"Yes, yes, the young woman moaned.
"I can use this recording for anything." Nautilus said while turning off the recorder.
"Detective, I have no reason to kill the husband of one of my business partners. Marcus and I and the Deputy Prime Minister are beneficiaries of a successful business with a few franchises that have been spreading across the island and Caribbean. I have no motive to harm him when I can have women like these at my fingertips. Stephanie Lisa was my past. Richard was my friend. He came to me asking for advice on hiring a body guard, because he felt threatened, but I told him that his wife is a senior police officer and he should make the necessary reports, but he refused. He wanted to be discrete."
"What!" Nautilus asked his voice laden with surprise.
"Are you insinuating that someone on the inside was threatening Richard and he refused to tell Stephanie?" Nautilus asked partially distracted by the sight and sounds of the young woman climaxing beside him.
"Feel her heartbeat Detective. It always amazes me the power of a woman's heart when she is about to climax." Antonio placed Nautilus's hand on the woman's chest and before he could with draw it her hand clutched his hand and moved it over her nipple. Nautilus watched her face as she orgasm, feeling the power in her thick body. He did not see the flicker of the flash from the camera.
"We are done here detective, you have worn out your welcome."
Nautilus did not realize that the huge Haitian was again right beside him nudging him away. Nautilus's eyes were still being held by the lovely dark damsel, as if her eyes were begging for help.
"Detective, this way please," the man said with his peculiar accent.
Nautilus knew instantly that Antonio was not as clean as he pretended.
Three hours later Nautilus walked into the offices of Jaden McNamara.
The office was light and airy and pleasant. The receptionist greeted Nautilus by name and guided him to the conference room. The glass walls allowed for the attendees in the conference room to watch the assembly line. The floors were white with marble like veins. Nautilus felt comfortable.
Ten minutes later Jaden came into the room wearing a white crushed linen suite and greeted Nautilus with a smile on his face.
"Detective, it as been a while since we have met or spoken. I thought you had retired to the south of France." Jaden remarked.
"Wow,that would have been lovely." Nautilus replied contrasting the two different receptions he had received from the two men. Jaden handshake was firm and his smile was genuine.
"I know you are hear to ask me about Richard, so have a seat detective."
"Thank you," Nautilus replied, and pulled out a chair.
"Would you like something to drink? Juice, water or coffee?" Jaden asked.
"Yes please, I would love a cup of coffee." Nautilus replied.
He watched as Jaden got up and walked over to the corner of the conference room.
"Black or with cream detective?" Jaden asked.
"Cream please, with two sugars." Nautilus replied.
Nautilus released his apprehension by breathing out slowly through his nostrils.
"Rough morning detective?" Jaden asked.
"You wouldn't like to know Sir McNamara.
Jaden chuckled.
"I haven't heard that before my name since I left the service in the United Kingdom."
"What! You were knighted by the Queen?" Nautilus asked.
"I am not big on titles detective and I came back to Jamaica to give back and try to make a difference. Lisa invited me to be a partner with herself and Richard in a business that makes prosthetics and we diversified into supplying equipment to the Ministry of Health." Jaden replied.
Richard was my silent partner, so I wouldn't want to hurt him detective. The man was like my brother. As you would have known, Lisa and I grew up in Spanish Town. When I had my issues with the gangs and my father was killed. I left Jamaica and eventually fought for the motherland. Monday I was in my monthly board meeting all day here." Jaden said while he walked carefully with the two cups of coffee.
"Did you know anyone that wanted to harm Richard?"
"Nah, Richard was a sweet guy, everyone loved him. His father on the other hand is a piece of work." Jaden said
Nautilus took the cup and saucer, lifted it slowly to his nose, inhaled the aroma, then sipped with quiet approval.
"Ahh, just the way the Misses makes it at home with a dash of cinnamon." He watched as Jaden flashed a wide grin.
"Uncle Nautilus, you know I had nothing to do with this, I have no designs or romantic thoughts towards Lisa. I respected her and knew that she and Uncle Marcus had a kid. Did you know that Richard Hellbent senior once had an affair with a doctor that wanted to have him locked away?"
Nautilus frowned. "No, I had no idea." Nautilus scribbled notes in his book.
"Can anyone else confirm that you were here Monday at about 6:30pm," Nautilus asked.
"Yes, yes, my Chairman and my personal assistant can. I will share their digits with you. Has your phone number changed Uncle?" Jaden asked.
"How is your lovely wife?" Jaden asked.
"I haven't seen her in a very long time. Isn't she half Chinese? Is she going to the dragon boat festival?"
"Boy, don't get me started on that __ it's all she speaks about, Nautilus chuckled. Thanks for the coffee Jaden."
"My regards to her, uncle and whenever you guys need a break from the hustle and bustle of Kingston, fly down to Negril on my jet and spend a week at my villa." Jaden offered pleasantly.
"After this investigation is done, we might just take you up on the offer Jaden. I will be calling your references, but I don't think you have anything to worry about my boy." Nautilus replied.
Jaden smiled and shook the senior cop's hand.
"My assistant will see you out, and don't be a stranger." Jaden patted Nautilus's hand.
Nautilus could not help the smile that spread across his creased face. What a contrast between the two persons. Jaden was warm and nice while Antonio gave him the creeps.
As soon as Nautilus left the room. Jaden sent a text.
"We have to move quickly, I think the old guy suspects something."