Part 6 (1/2)
”Thank you Mr. Marlowe.” Angelo said.
”There's a condition, of course.” Marlowe added.
”What's that?”
”You answer one of my questions for every one of yours I answer.”
”Sounds fair.” Angelo admitted.
”Fine. You first.” Marlowe gestured Angelo ahead.
”When did you meet Randi?”
”Two years ago at an industry meeting. The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. When did you meet her?”
”1983, at UCLA. She helped me set up experiments using the computers. We both got credit.” Angelo admitted. ”How did you two get together?”
”When I met her, she was approaching burnout. We became close. I offered her a way out of the high pressure executive track. She took me up on it. What happened with your relations.h.i.+p with Randi?”
”She dumped me. Claimed my prospects weren't bright enough for her.” Angelo admitted. ”How long had she been taking pills?”
”How odd. You didn't tell her who your parents are?” Marlowe asked.
”No. I try to get by on my own.” Angelo said. ”What about the pills?”
Marlowe sighed. ”Yes, well, you know that Wild Bill Dornan runs a real sweatshop up there in Seattle. He put such high expectations on his people that there was no way for a human being to maintain production except with drugs. That's was part of how Randi coped with the demands.”
”But you took her away from all that.” Angelo prompted.
”Well, yes and no.” Marlowe said. ”She was free of Wild Bill's slave driver tactics, but our attempts to treat her addiction to the pills were not successful.”
”I'm sorry.” Angelo said.
”Have you been carrying a torch around for Randi all this time?” Marlowe asked.
Angelo shrugged. ”I can't answer that with a yes or a no.”
”Well, I'm afraid that you'll have to seek closure on this in your own way. Do you have any evidence that there was foul play involved in Randi's death?” Marlowe asked.
”Nothing concrete.” Angelo admitted.
”That's because there is nothing concrete there, Detective. Poor Randi just drove herself off a cliff. I have a h.e.l.l of a time wrapping my brain around it, myself, but there it is.” Marlowe said.
”I am a great fan of the truth. Given half a chance, the facts of this will point out the truth.” Angelo said.
”You really value your work don't you?” Marlowe asked.
”Yes, Sir.” Angelo said honestly.
”Well, Detective, if I were to sue you for unethical conduct in this matter, what do you think the reaction of your bosses would be?” Marlowe said.