(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!"
