Sean tapped his pencil rapidly on his desk. David couldn’t stop shaking his head and Jeremy sat in silence, his head down.
“Just like that?” David said.
“One shot. To the forehead,” Sean said. “His receptionist found him this morning.”
“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” David said softly.
“And you’re assuming it had something to do with my Beethoven manuscript?” Jeremy asked.
“I’m not assuming anything,” Sean said. “I’m not sure it was a robbery. I don’t know if it was a revenge killing. I don’t know if it was a random act of violence. At this point I can’t be sure of anything. But I called you down here today to talk to you two because I knew you were involved with him. Unfortunately it’s taken most of the day just to check out the murder scene and talk to the receptionist.”
“So he was killed a few hours after we spoke to him yesterday?” asked Jeremy.
“Right,” said Sean. “In fact, you two were probably among the last to communicate with him, other than his receptionist.”
“And she saw nothing?” David asked.
“She left a little after 6:30. He stayed late to finish up some work. Apparently he often does. She said goodnight and left. That’s about it. Obviously she’s shocked, just like the two of you are. As far as she knows, he had no enemies that stand out. Morgenstern was in a competitive, dog-eat-dog business and it’s pretty clear that not everyone loved him. But no one apparently had any unique motive to kill him.”
“You say the killer must have just strolled into his office? No forced entry?” David asked.
“No forced entry is apparent. The secretary is not sure if she locked the door or not. She often doesn’t if she thinks he’ll be leaving right after her.”
“Is anything missing?” Jeremy asked eagerly.
“That’s another piece of bad news, I’m afraid. There’s no sign of any Beethoven manuscript. You said he told you that it was back in his possession, right?”
“Right!” Jeremy said. “We were going to meet with him tomorrow to get the manuscript back and to discuss our next steps.”
“Maybe you’re lucky you didn’t get it back,” Sean said.
“Why?” Jeremy asked.
Sean paused. “Because there might be a ruthless killer out there who will stop at nothing to get hold of your precious Beethoven manuscript.”
“But you said that you can’t be sure that’s why he was killed,” Jeremy said.
“As I told you, I’m not sure of anything,” Sean replied. “But the receptionist, who doubles as Morgenstern’s secretary, said that the Beethoven manuscript appears to be missing from his desk. She can’t be sure either, but as far as she can tell, it’s the only thing that was on his desk that is no longer there.”
“Nothing else missing in the office?” David asked.
“Not as far as she can tell. But she may be mistaken. The moral of the story is that we have a lot more unknowns than knowns. But we do know Morgenstern is dead and we strongly suspect the manuscript is missing.”
“I don’t get it,” Jeremy said, shaking his head. “There are still only a handful of people who even know that the manuscript exists and an even smaller number that know Morgenstern had it. How could any of those people have taken a chance like this?”
“I don’t know,” Sean replied, “but you can be sure I’ll be questioning everybody I can get my hands on who knows anything about the manuscript. And, unfortunately, I have to start with you two. So, I have to know what the two of you were doing yesterday between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.”
“I was in my apartment until about 6:00 and then went out to get something to eat,” David said.
“Anybody to vouch for that?”
“I don’t know. I suppose somebody could have noticed me at the diner.”
“And you, Jeremy?” Sean asked.
“With Melissa I guess…I was with Melissa in my apartment,” he said absently.
“Okay. Please give me the name and address of the restaurant, David. I’ll have to check that out. And I’ll have to double check with Melissa to back up your alibi, Jeremy.”
“Alibies? We need alibies?” David asked.
“There’s been a murder,” Sean said calmly. “Everybody involved needs one. I’ve got a list of other people I’m going to check out as well.”
“Is there anything else we can do?” Jeremy asked. “It’s absolutely crucial that I get that manuscript back.”
“And it’s absolutely crucial that we find out who killed Mr. Morgenstern,” Sean replied. “When we find the person who did that, we might well find the person who has your manuscript.”
“Thanks Sean,” said Jeremy jumping quickly to his feet. “If you need us for anything else, just let us know.”
“Yes,” David added quickly, pulling on his coat. “If there’s any way we can help.”
“I’ll let you know…” began Sean, but both men were already out of his office and moving quickly down the corridor.
Outside the building, Jeremy said “We just can’t take a chance, David. We’ve got to get back to my apartment right now. Melissa is alone there and Sean says that there’s a killer on the loose who’s very interested in my manuscript.”
“I was getting a little worried too, Jeremy, but Melissa doesn’t have your manuscript.”
“Does the murderer know that?” Jeremy snapped. “Whoever killed Morgenstern is still missing the first two pages and he may think that Melissa has them. Let’s move it, David.” Jeremy took off in a half-run down the street with David hurrying to catch up.