Chapter 12: A Conundrum

Many Cones, Based On True Crime

Chapter 12 starts with Ray Grandisha and Ramon discussing the relative value of the prevent defense.
Many Cones is a podcast novel based on true crime. The murders inspiring this crime fiction took place 30 miles from Chicago in Northwest Indiana, and captivated the area from the initial brutal crime scene all the way through and beyond discovery of a shockingly bizarre motive.
As Albert Moffit was receiving his latest revelation, Grandisha and Ramon were chatting at the bar. Ray had been in the “Fine Time” for close to three hours. He was working on his fifth drink. After the third serving, Ramon started cutting back the Glenlivet ratio. It was going to be a long night. They were discussing everything imaginable, except crimes and criminals. Ramon mostly listened.
Grandisha had started the day early. He had planned to review each piece of evidence and information. For the umpteenth time. Half way through, he realized everything was already committed to memory. He was wasting his time on a rote exercise.
Something was there, some clue or hint, it just had to be discovered and cultivated. Ray closed the Donas file and spent the balance of his working day trying to answer the question he knew was important. Why would strangers intentionally butcher two people, and then search their home? The only answer he could come up with was that someone sent them. But that led to another question. Wouldn’t that someone tell the strangers two people lived in the residence? The conundrums had sapped Ray’s reasoning and investigative powers. He hoped the scotch and idle banter would cleanse the slate and give him a new perspective. At least there were no new massacres. Yet. He doubted this was a one time slaughter.
Margie had arrived at work sans police uniform. Instead, old jeans, off white, medium weight sweater, and worn, navy blue, wool sports coat. When Ray shot her a questioning look, she said she would tell him later. He wasn’t worried; her spirits seemed high.
Grandisha sent Margie and Joe Crownder back to the apartment complex. One more time. Talk to people again. Go door to door. Find residents that hadn’t been interviewed before. Maybe concentrate on other buildings in the complex.
The two detectives spent the entire day chasing shadows. As they were preparing to leave, empty handed, they came upon two middle aged tramps, dressed and reeking accordingly, trying to peer in the Donas picture window. Margie wanted to send them on their way. Joe, treating them like Leopold and Loeb, insisted on bringing them in for questioning. He arrogantly reminded Margie about criminals returning to the scene of the crime. She relented, to prevent a scene at the scene of the crime.
Late in the afternoon, Grenk and Crownder arrived back at the office, Bonnie and Clyde in tow, just as Ray was preparing to leave. He stayed for an extra hour. Margie’s spirits had fallen, noticeably. She explained her position to Ray, Joe his. Although he silently agreed with Margie’s objection to hassling the two, he told them to question the bums, run prints, and if nothing developed, no warrants or prior related convictions showed up, to release them. Crownder sneered smugly.