anybody else."
"I see. Yes, that's a possibility. I understand you've never discovered how the thieves got in or out."
"That's correct. It's another reason we believe they were pros. Only pros could have gotten in and out without leaving any sign of forced entry. They picked locks we thought were 'unpickable' and didn't leave so much as scratch marks around the locks."
"How do you figure they got past the alarms?"
"We haven't figured that one out either. We had a special alarm system installed as added protection for the exhibit. The guards had to deactivate the alarm just to enter that part of the museum when doing their rounds. The police believed it was an inside job, but we were able to use the videotapes to account for the movement of the guards throughout the whole night, and each of them passed a polygraph test with flying colors. There wasn't even a suggestion that one of them might be lying about having knowledge of the theft. The security company that installed the special alarm could have no knowledge of the deactivation code because it was changed after the installation and then again weekly."
"Interesting. And there wasn't anyone else working in the museum that night?"
"The cleaning people left at midnight. After that it was just the three guards until the police arrived in response to the alarm."
"And the alarm was intentionally set off by your people?"
"Yes, as soon as the theft was discovered. It's standard operating procedure. The alarm turns on both the interior lights throughout the building and the outside lighting so as to make it easier to spot intruders, but the thieves were already gone."
"It's quite a mystery."
"It sure is. Any ideas?"
"More questions than ideas, at least for now."
"Anything else I can answer?"
"No, there are some things I have to look into. You've been very helpful. Thank you, Mr…?"
"Captain DeRosa."
"Thank you, Captain DeRosa. I'll let you know when I find the paintings."
"You sound pretty sure of yourself, Mr. James."
"I've never failed yet, Captain. Before I leave, could you give me the home addresses of the three guards who were on duty that night?"
"We're satisfied they had nothing to do with the robbery."
"At this time, I lean that way also."
"I can arrange for you to interview them right here at the museum. I'd rather not upset their families further. They've been through enough."
"I understand, but I'd like to speak with them in more comfortable surroundings. The atmosphere during the questioning can be vital. There might be something they know that they don't know they know. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes, certain facts come to light in response to the right question."
"I think so. You mean something almost subconscious."
"Exactly. It won't be a grilling, just a friendly conversation such as the one we've just had. I promise to be most discreet."
"Very well. I'll arrange for the interviews."
"Thank you, Captain."
* * *
I found a decent motel and moved into the room, then drove around until I found a busy restaurant. Busy restaurants that were not located just off the interstates, on busy highways, or hosting a special event usually had decent food. It wasn't an infallible method for finding good restaurants, but I wasn't disappointed.
After returning to my room, I used the gizmo to visit the homes of each of the guards. They had already left for work, but their families were there. Lastly, I checked the phone book for the address of City Hall and then went to bed.
* * *
Philadelphia's City Hall, located at Broad and Market Streets, is reputed to be the largest municipal building in the United States. Philadelphia claims that it's even larger than the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Perhaps when they began construction in 1871, Philadelphians were hoping to once again host the country's government. I arrived early and spent part of the morning searching for information in the Records Department. Occasionally I purchased some
"I see. Yes, that's a possibility. I understand you've never discovered how the thieves got in or out."
"That's correct. It's another reason we believe they were pros. Only pros could have gotten in and out without leaving any sign of forced entry. They picked locks we thought were 'unpickable' and didn't leave so much as scratch marks around the locks."
"How do you figure they got past the alarms?"
"We haven't figured that one out either. We had a special alarm system installed as added protection for the exhibit. The guards had to deactivate the alarm just to enter that part of the museum when doing their rounds. The police believed it was an inside job, but we were able to use the videotapes to account for the movement of the guards throughout the whole night, and each of them passed a polygraph test with flying colors. There wasn't even a suggestion that one of them might be lying about having knowledge of the theft. The security company that installed the special alarm could have no knowledge of the deactivation code because it was changed after the installation and then again weekly."
"Interesting. And there wasn't anyone else working in the museum that night?"
"The cleaning people left at midnight. After that it was just the three guards until the police arrived in response to the alarm."
"And the alarm was intentionally set off by your people?"
"Yes, as soon as the theft was discovered. It's standard operating procedure. The alarm turns on both the interior lights throughout the building and the outside lighting so as to make it easier to spot intruders, but the thieves were already gone."
"It's quite a mystery."
"It sure is. Any ideas?"
"More questions than ideas, at least for now."
"Anything else I can answer?"
"No, there are some things I have to look into. You've been very helpful. Thank you, Mr…?"
"Captain DeRosa."
"Thank you, Captain DeRosa. I'll let you know when I find the paintings."
"You sound pretty sure of yourself, Mr. James."
"I've never failed yet, Captain. Before I leave, could you give me the home addresses of the three guards who were on duty that night?"
"We're satisfied they had nothing to do with the robbery."
"At this time, I lean that way also."
"I can arrange for you to interview them right here at the museum. I'd rather not upset their families further. They've been through enough."
"I understand, but I'd like to speak with them in more comfortable surroundings. The atmosphere during the questioning can be vital. There might be something they know that they don't know they know. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes, certain facts come to light in response to the right question."
"I think so. You mean something almost subconscious."
"Exactly. It won't be a grilling, just a friendly conversation such as the one we've just had. I promise to be most discreet."
"Very well. I'll arrange for the interviews."
"Thank you, Captain."
* * *
I found a decent motel and moved into the room, then drove around until I found a busy restaurant. Busy restaurants that were not located just off the interstates, on busy highways, or hosting a special event usually had decent food. It wasn't an infallible method for finding good restaurants, but I wasn't disappointed.
After returning to my room, I used the gizmo to visit the homes of each of the guards. They had already left for work, but their families were there. Lastly, I checked the phone book for the address of City Hall and then went to bed.
* * *
Philadelphia's City Hall, located at Broad and Market Streets, is reputed to be the largest municipal building in the United States. Philadelphia claims that it's even larger than the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Perhaps when they began construction in 1871, Philadelphians were hoping to once again host the country's government. I arrived early and spent part of the morning searching for information in the Records Department. Occasionally I purchased some
Similar Books
