Chapter 54: Unexpected Developments

March 5, 1982, Chicago, Illinois

“Jonathan, there’s a Detective Sergeant Clark Newsome on the phone for you,” Nick said late on Friday morning.

“OK,” I said.

I walked over to Nick’s desk, picked up the handset from the desk, and pushed the button on the phone to take the call off ‘hold’.

“Jonathan Kane,” I said.

“Mr. Kane, this is Detective Sergeant Clark Newsome. We spoke at Loyola on the 20th of February about the incident with Miss Paula Georgiou. Do you have some time to speak to me today?”

“It would need to be at lunch, when I have about thirty minutes, or after work. I’m hourly, and can’t really afford to miss any time, and work can’t really do without me with no notice.”

“What time do you get off work?”

“5:00pm. I’m home before 6:00pm.”

“Would you mind meeting with me when you get off work? I can come there.”

“5:00pm?”

“Yes. I’ll meet you in the lobby of the Hancock Building.”

“See you then,” I said.

He hung up, so I did the same.

“What was THAT about?” Nick asked.

“I knew the girl who was raped and murdered about ten days ago. They arrested the wrong guy, so the police are re-interviewing everyone. And before you ask, I have an ironclad alibi of about a dozen witnesses. But they have no leads, so they’re going back over everything again.”

“Do you have an attorney?”

I shook my head, “No. There is no way I’m a suspect because I was with some of Paula’s friends, and I can prove where I was all night, both from her friends and from the sign-in book at Loyola. About a dozen people gave the same basic story to the cops, including the girl’s roommate, as well as the guy she was with before she left with the guy who was falsely accused. I’ve spoken with the Sheriff back home a few times, so I know the score.”

“Not to be a dick, but no, you don’t. Chicago cops are NOT like your Sheriff and his deputies back home. Be VERY careful what you say to the cop today, because they’re looking to pin this on someone, and they will, even if they have to beat a confession out of someone. Let me at least call a friend of my dad’s to talk to you.”

“I just don’t think that’s necessary,” I replied.

“I do. I’ll make the call.”

I nodded and went back to my station. Nick called me over to his desk about ten minutes later, holding the handset with the phone on ‘hold’.

“Where are you meeting?”

“In the lobby downstairs at 5:00pm.”

“OK, one sec.”

He had a brief conversation relaying the details, then hung up.

“My dad’s friend, Sam Kassan, will meet you downstairs at 5:00pm. He’s a criminal defense attorney and he’ll keep the cops in line.”

“That feels like escalation,” I said. “I have nothing to hide. Back home, talking to the cops if you weren’t the bad guy was the best way to keep from being the bad guy.”

“Not here. I am NOT kidding, Jonathan. Ask Mr. Nelson if you doubt me. Or ask Matheson. They’ll tell you the exact same thing. Trust me on this.”

I realized that arguing with Nick wasn’t going to change his mind, so I gave up.

“How much will this cost me?” I asked.

“Nothing. He’ll do it because he’s my dad’s friend. Dad or I will owe him a favor. And all he’s going to do is make sure the police play it straight.”

“OK,” I agreed.

I’d have to call Huifen because I was going to be late, and I wasn’t sure I could reach her. I tried at lunch, but there was no answer in either her room or Allyson’s room, so I left a message with the desk at the dorm in the hopes Huifen would receive it. The rest of the day went by quickly, and at 4:55pm I went to the lobby, having worked the extra five minutes at lunch.

“Jonathan?” a man in a brown suit said, coming up to me.

“Yes. Are you Mr. Kassan?”

“I am. I see two detectives across the lobby. If things go well, I won’t say a word. If I do speak, you stop talking immediately. I mean mid-word. Got it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You intend to cooperate fully with the investigation, right?”

“Yes. I have a solid alibi and a dozen witnesses.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

We walked over to the detectives, both of whom I recognized from the interviews at Loyola, Newsome and Parker.

“Detectives, I’m Sam Kassan,” Mr. Kassan said. “I’m an attorney here at the request of Arthur Boyne to ensure Mr. Kane’s rights are respected. He’ll cooperate fully and answer any questions you have.”

“Mr. Kane is not a suspect,” Detective Newsome said.

“And so long as that’s the case, this will be friendly and productive. Shall we sit?”

We went to some chairs at the far end of the lobby and sat down. Basically, every question asked was a repeat of the ones I’d been asked at Loyola, though there were a few additional questions about my involvement with Paula. He focused on the games, but I was sure my version of events matched what I’d said before, and more importantly, matched what the girls had said.

“Just to confirm, you spent the entire night with Miss Huifen Huang, also known as ‘Hannah’?”

“Correct. Once Paula and Lucy left the dorm, Huifen and I spent the night together. I’ve seen her once since, and we have a date tonight.”

“And you had just met Miss Huang that day, is that correct?”

“Yes, through my friend Allyson Crowley.”

“Do you know who Miss Georgiou was dating?”

“No. I never saw her with a specific guy, and at the party we went to as a group about two weeks before the incident, she danced with a bunch of different guys. Lucy would be the one to ask for sure.”

“Is there anything else you can tell us?”

I shook my head, “No. The last time I saw her was right before she left for the party with Lucy.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kane. If we have more questions, we’ll be in touch.”

Once they walked away, Mr. Kassan spoke.

“That was pretty benign. I have a question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“What is it that those detectives don’t know?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“In every case, there’s something they don’t know. Most of the time, it’s not particularly relevant, but when they find out, they make it THE thing. And they make a big deal about the fact that you didn’t tell them.”

“I have no idea what that might be,” I said. “I mean, if we were going to avoid talking about anything, it would have been the games. I was positive they’d find out, so we told them.”

“Speaking of that, is there any chance your semen could be found on the deceased or her clothing?”

“No. None. We didn’t have intercourse that day.”

“If they believe you did, or find any evidence like semen or anything that can point to you not being completely truthful, you WILL be a suspect. The same is true if they discover any discrepancies in your version of events.”

“But I have a solid alibi!”

“Which does not prevent the police from arresting and charging you. If that were to happen, you’d ask for an immediate probable cause hearing and have your witnesses testify in front of a judge. If the judge is convinced, he’d order you released. If not, then it would have to go to trial. Most likely, you’d be held without bail.”

“How can they arrest me without evidence?” I asked.

“They can ask a judge for an arrest warrant based on probable cause. They may or may not get it, but in a case like this, they most likely would.”

“So what do I do?” I asked.

“For now, nothing. Unless one of the young women changes her story, or the police find some kind of evidence that you weren’t truthful, or there is physical evidence, I doubt they’ll seek to charge you. They could, but with the number of witnesses you have to corroborate your version of events, they’d have real trouble convincing a judge. Let me give you my card. If the detectives call you, call me before you speak to them. We’ll work out a retainer if that happens.”

“Got it,” I said, accepting the business card he proffered. “Thanks.”

“Good luck, Jonathan,” he said. “Have a good evening.”

“You, too.”

I quickly left, heading for the subway, wondering if any of the girls would say anything, because if they did, it could ruin everything. I felt I had to talk to someone about it, and Huifen or Bianca made the most sense. My decision was fairly easy — Huifen would be spending the night, and I didn’t want to wait until Wednesday.

I arrived home about thirty minutes later than usual, and was surprised to see a Fire Department ambulance parked in the driveway, its lights flashing and the rear doors open. I remembered Lily saying that her dad was sick, but she’d thought it was just a severe cold.

The ambulance suggested otherwise, but with a police officer standing on the back porch, I felt it was best to go up to my apartment until they left. I took off my coat and hat and then went to the window to watch. About five minutes later, Nick Andros was brought out on a gurney. He had an oxygen mask and an IV, and Lily and her mom followed the firemen out. I left my apartment and went down to talk to them.

“Hi, Lily,” I said when I walked over to her. “What happened?”

“Dad couldn’t catch his breath, so Mom called the paramedics. They’re taking him to Rush. We’re going there now.”

“I hope everything is OK,” I said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Thanks.”

The ambulance pulled away and Lily and her mom got into the family Chevy and left just as Huifen walked up.

“What happened?” she asked after we exchanged a quick kiss.

“My landlord was having trouble breathing. His daughter told me yesterday she thought he had a severe cold, but he appears to have taken a turn for the worse.”

“Do you know them well?”

“I’ve had dinner with them a few times, and Lily and I went on a few dates, but she’s a practicing Catholic, and that presented insurmountable problems for me. You know, I never asked if you practiced any religion?”

“Not the way you mean, I suspect. I’m Buddhist, which is more of a philosophy than what Westerners would call a religion, at least the way I practice it. Is that a problem?”

“No. I’ve read enough that it doesn’t concern me. Shall we go up to my apartment?”

“I stopped at the store,” she said, holding up a bag. “We can cook again.”

“Great!” I agreed.

We went up to my apartment once Huifen took off her hat, coat, and shoes, we set about making dinner.

“I spoke to the detectives today,” I said after Huifen had given me directions on cutting up the vegetables.

“Most of the girls spoke to them yesterday, but Allyson and Juliette spoke to them today. I believe, after speaking to them, they all basically told the same story.”

“That’s the key,” I replied. “Well, and telling the truth, of course.”

“Of course! The detectives basically couldn’t believe how lucky you were!”

“That was obvious from the way the detective responded when I told him about it. It really was a good thing Paula went out early, because if they found my semen in her, I’d be a prime suspect.”

“But you have a complete alibi!”

“I’m pretty sure they’d accuse you all of lying for me for some reason.”

“That would be so wrong!”

“What did you say to them about us?” I inquired.

“I told them we both went into it as a one-night stand, but decided we liked each other, so we saw each other last weekend and we were seeing each other tonight. Given what all of us told him about the games, that seemed to satisfy them.”

“Do they have any suspects?” I asked.

“I don’t think so, and that’s scary. The girls are never going anywhere alone.”

“You took the L here today.”

“At rush hour. The L is safe during the day. Late at night is riskier, but I don’t take the L late at night.”

“On Sunday, if you’re staying until then, I’ll ride with you if you want.”

“That’s kind of silly, really. Taking the L from here to Loyola on a Sunday morning is about as safe as can be. There will be plenty of passengers, so I won’t really be alone.”

“If you change your mind, let me know.”

“Do you plan to buy a car?” Huifen asked, taking the vegetables I’d cut up and putting them in the skillet with the chicken she’d sautéed.

“Eventually,” I replied. “Right now, I don’t really need one, because I take the L, or, if it’s nice out, I ride my bike to work. I can borrow a car occasionally from my uncle if I really need one, though I’m careful not to take advantage of that.”

We finished making dinner, then sat down to eat.

“I know you said you were busy the next two weekends, is that the entire weekend?”

“This coming weekend, yes. The following weekend, I’m free on Sunday afternoon and evening.”

“What time do you usually leave for work?”

“Around 7:00am. That allows for some delays with the L without running a risk of being late. If it’s nice enough to ride my bike, then about 7:15am.”

“My first class is at 9:00am on Mondays. Would it be OK to come over on that Sunday afternoon?”

“Yes. How about 1:00pm?”

“Great! I very much like spending time with you, and I don’t just mean the nights of ecstasy!”

“I enjoy spending time with you as well. You seem to have overcome your initial reaction.”

“That you were a giant?” she asked, laughing softly.

“Yes.”

“Well, you are over a foot taller than I am! But I discovered you truly were a giant once you had your clothes off! And that’s a good thing!”

“And you said good things come in small packages, and I agree!”

“I did say that! What are we doing this evening? I mean, before having sex all night?!”

“I didn’t look at the Tribune to see what new movies started today, but it’s on the couch if you want to look. I’m OK with whatever you want to see. I also saw a notice for a jazz concert at Circle, which is easy walking distance.”

“That would be cool. When does it start?”

“8:00pm, so we have time to finish eating and clean up.”

After we finished eating, we cleaned up, then walked hand-in-hand to the auditorium where the concert was being held. I paid our $2.50 admission fees, and we joined several hundred other people for the concert, which was being given by some UICC students. We both enjoyed the concert, then headed back to my apartment. The Andros’ car wasn’t in the driveway, which meant that Lily and her mom were still likely at the hospital.

We went up to the apartment, undressed, and got into bed. Huifen gave me one of her special ‘French kiss’ blowjobs, and we spent the next six hours fooling around before falling asleep spooned together.

March 6, 1982, Chicago, Illinois

Huifen and I slept late on Saturday, as she had done her best to completely wear me out before we’d fallen asleep. When we woke up, we showered, changed the sheets on the bed, then had a late breakfast before heading to the laundromat. I noticed once again that the Andros’ car was missing, and wondered if Lily and her mom had even come home the previous night, because I’d been too focused on the sexy Chinese girl in my bed to even think about it.

While we walked, I wondered if I should cancel my weekend at Allyson’s house and spend it with Huifen. The more time I spent with Huifen or Bianca, the more I knew I was going to have a difficult time deciding between the two. I liked both of them, and I could see either one as a roommate or steady girlfriend. Of course, I might be able to eat my cake and have it, too, because Bianca would accept me having sex with Huifen, at least until she graduated, and the proposed three-year agreement came to an end.

I also questioned whether I should see Phoebe, but I’d already asked her out, and unlike with Allyson, canceling might hurt Phoebe’s feelings. I remembered, too, that Allyson had invited me for her birthday and Memorial Day, and made a mental note to call her to discuss those in case she wanted to invite someone else.

One thing I was sure of was that I was going to end the physical part of my partnership with Jeri after we spent most of the next weekend together. To me, making our relationship purely about business seemed the best way forward, especially because I didn’t want to hide anything from either Bianca or Huifen if things progressed with either of them. It would be much simpler if I could simply call her a ‘business partner’ and leave it at that.

I wasn’t sure how Jeri would react to the change, despite her having suggested it would happen in the future. Part of that was because she considered sex as part of ‘doing business’ but also because she was used to getting her way. That meant I needed to be on my guard when I was with her, and not allow her to manipulate me with sex, gifts, or money.

After the trip to the laundromat and grocery store, Huifen and I went for a walk into Greektown so I could begin scoping out apartments. It was too soon to try for a lease in August because most people didn’t have to notify the landlord they weren’t going to renew until May 1st. I had to let Nick Andros know I wasn’t intending to renew, which I planned to do in April to give him plenty of time to find a new renter.

Of course, with his health problems, I wasn’t sure what would happen in that regard. The car hadn’t been in the driveway when we’d first left for the laundromat, nor when we’d returned, but it was entirely possible they’d come home briefly while I was away. If I hadn’t heard anything by the time Huifen left on Sunday morning, I’d knock on the door after I’d walked her to the L.