Murder in Napa

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself. Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891 Irish dramatist, novelist, & poet (1854 - 1900) Prologue Detective William Monroe Lincoln stepped from his vehicle and observed the flashing lights of police vehicles which had an eerie effect on the domestic tranquility and affluence of Napa. The night seemed darker without the confluence of modern public lights flooding the estate. He walked past the hordes of police officers which had no problem allowing his entrance since anyone who knew the address of this scene was well connected. He entered a door where there was a large amount of human activity. The process of evidence collection had commenced; and, as he observed the scene, Detective Lincoln started walking toward the center of attention. A large horizontal object, the size of a man, resided on a pristine dark mahogany coffee table. It was totally wrapped in what appeared to be white latex . As the detective peered at the item of interest, he saw it must’ve been a man, a robot, or an alien. The latex gave the distorted image an appearance of a non-human life form. A thin brown cotton blanket was covering the head. The room was immaculate in all other aspects. A baby-grand piano sat nestled in a corner; expensive leather bound books filled numerous book shelves; a refrigerated wine room full of rare bottles was off the kitchen; and expensive eloquent tile ran throughout the living-room area of the house. Detective Lincoln identified himself to the coroner who was expecting him. The coroner, a middle-aged clean shaven Asian-American wearing conventional glasses pointed to the object of attention and lifted up the blanket. A dead man, with streaked flowing gray hair, stared back at him. The man, with his latex suit covering him, looked like a giant condom. “Who is he?” “Dr. Clarence Madison Watson, a distinguished San Francisco psychiatrist.” “Is this his residence?” “No…this is Dr. Bates’ estate. Dr. Watson was a patient and friend of Dr. Bates.” “The Dr. Bates with all the famous clients?” “Yes…” “Where is Dr. Bates?” “He was here earlier, but is currently headed for the airport. He has an important appointment out of the country.” “So, what happened?” “I’ll have Detective Zanny update you. We don’t know too much right now. Chief Wasden was here earlier and talked with Dr. Bates. But then the Chief had to leave. Detective Zanny is in charge.” It was twenty minutes later before Detective Lincoln met Zanny. Detective Zanny was outside with his men trying to isolate footsteps and examining the premises. Murder rarely happened in Napa and Zanny wanted to gather as much information as possible. “Detective Lincoln, it’s a pleasure meeting you.” Zanny looked in his early forties, but had steaks of grey running through his moustache and hair. He had over twenty years on the force and had seen hard financial times for the department on several occasions. His clothes had a wrinkled and worn look and they seemed to have extended to Zanny’s appearance. The Napa detective had had a long day, and it still wasn’t over. ` “What happened here?” “I can only tell you so much right now. The Chief needs to instruct me on your involvement.” “I understand... Tell me what you can.” “The victim was a prominent Bay Area psychiatrist who’s a patient and a personal friend of Dr. Bates. Dr. Bates arrived home this evening to discover this scene. He immediately called the authorities. You now know about what we know.” “Why is the victim dressed in what looks like a giant condom?” “I don’t know. That’s a Doctor Bates’ question.” “So, is there any physical evidence of foul play? How did he die?” “We don’t know yet. Hopefully a medical report will tell us that. In fact, I have to get a report ready for the Chief for tomorrow’s staff meeting. You’re free to stay here as long as you want, Detective. We’ll definitely talk tomorrow.” “Goodnight, Detective Zanny.” Detective Lincoln turned away and spent another fifty minutes walking through the estate and observing the environment and the Napa police personnel at work before he left.