The Missing Trophy

(Based on real events)...  

     Detective Fleming:  "What is the tennis captain's name and where was she on the day of the disappearance?"

     Tennis Player:  "Her name is Jones, as in James Earl.  But not the same heritage.  Her first name is Wendy, as in 'Peter Pan.'"

     Detective Fleming:  "And Ms. Jones did not accept the trophy?"

     Player:  "No.  You see, she had torn her Achilles over a year ago and was still in treatment.  She was undergoing acupuncture or she might have been at the doctor's that day.  Not sure which."

     Detective Fleming:  "Who accepted the trophy?"

     Player:  "A member of another team from our club.  Am I going to get her in trouble?"

     Detective Fleming:  "Not if she's innocent."

     Player:  "It was Denise Porter."

     Detective Fleming:  "Were you familiar with this player?"

     Player:  "Well, I know she has two grandchildren and she lives at our club and she has been on the Tennis Committee and received awards and was a captain of a team."

     Detective Fleming:  "Would you say her reputation is impeccable?"

     Player:  "I can't say what she does on her off-hours, but yes, I'd say so."

     Detective Fleming:  "Who else was seated at the table?"

     Player:  "We had other players from our club, including one captain and another member of the tennis committee."

     Detective Fleming:  "But Denise was the one who received the trophy?"

     Player:  "That is correct."

     Detective Fleming:  "What happened to the trophy after it was presented to Ms. Porter?"

     Player:  "She brought it to the table and placed it in the middle, while we all yelled and hollered.  We got a little loud but everyone else did, too, if they won something."

     Detective Fleming:  "Is there reason to believe any other club might have wanted the trophy?"

     Player:  "Every club wants the Sportsmanship Trophy, but it has to be earned and voted on."

     Detective Fleming:  "When did you realize the trophy was missing?"

     Player:  "When we decided to leave. We'd had a good time and the banquet was over."

     Detective Fleming:  "Was there drinking involved?"

     Player:  "We all had a glass of wine, if that's what you mean.  In the middle of the afternoon, most of us can't handle more than that."

     Detective Fleming:  "What happened between the time the trophy was placed on the table and the end of the banquet?"

     Player:  "We were talking to other players at other tables. We were all so glad to get up from our chairs after a long banquet!  I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you've gone to kids' banquets, Inspector."

     Detective Fleming:  "And when you returned to the table it was gone?"

     Player:  "That is correct."

     Detective Fleming:  "What was the trophy made of?"

     Player:  "It was made of crystal.  Nothing fake, like some banquet awards."

     Detective Fleming:  "Would you say it was valuable?"

     Player:  "Its value lay in the honor to our club and Wendy's team. Do you want me to guess a monetary value?"

     Detective Fleming:  "That won't be necessary. We're investigating everyone on the closed circuit tape who exited the premises.  At the moment a person owning a white SUV is under consideration for something she carried to her car."

     Player:  "A white SUV?  One of our club captains has a white SUV.  As a matter of fact, she was sitting with us."

     Detective Fleming:  "Her name, please?"

     Player:  "Will I get her in trouble?"

     Detective Fleming:  "Not if she's innocent."

     Player:  "Joanne Grubman."

     Detective Fleming:  "I'll look into Ms. Grubman's departure.  Thank you for your time."


Ms. Grubman's cell phone rings.



     Detective Fleming:  "Ms. Grubman?"

     J. Grubman:  "Yes?"

     Detective Fleming:  "This is Detective Felming of the Boca Raton Police Department.  I'm investigating the theft of a crystal trophy from the South Palm Beach County Tennis banquet this afternoon. Specifically, the Sportsmanship trophy won by Wendy Jones' 55Love team."

     J. Grubman:  "Theft?  What theft?  I'm looking at the trophy right now!"

     Detective Fleming:  "Where are you precisely, Ms. Grubman?"

     J. Grubman:  "At Quail Ridge Country Club in the tennis clubhouse. In front of the trophy case, where I put the trophy."

     Detective Fleming:  "Please remain there until I arrive."

     J. Grubman:  "The captain couldn't attend so I brought it to our clubhouse for her."

     Detective Fleming:  "Very thoughtful."

     J. Grubman:  "I have to pick up my children at school, Inspector."

     Detective Fleming:  "I'll be sure to put my lights and siren on for you, Ms. Grubman."

 Thirty minutes later...Ms. Grubman, Detective Fleming, three pros, two pro shop employees, and a court maintenance employee stared at the trophy.

     Detective Fleming:  "It's a beauty, isn't it?"

     Ms. Grubman (on the phone):  "Can my kids stay at your house till I can pick them up?  No, I'm not under arrest.  No, I don't need you to bail me out.  No, don't call my husband.  And not a word to the kids!"