* * *
Ogunquit was a carrot for anyone with a craving to gamble. It wiped out many people with their expectations of striking it rich. Richmond and Curt were lost in the vast sea of slot machines. In The Ogunquit MegaCasino, there were more than 2,500 one arm bandits and hundreds of black jack tables. High rollers thought nothing of dropping several hundred thousand dollars to beat the casino’s. Odds were against the rich - and poor alike. For the gambler, the chance of winning it big was not a well designed plan and nothing more than a gamble, but for the establishment it was a calculated concept.
Coincidentally, this is where Richard Cooke would celebrate his retirement. Until this point, Cooke was the one person of the trio of CEO’s who acquired so much money. His buyout was through-the-ceiling celebrated wealth. He was to receive a massive $533,000,000 (million dollars) for his service to FirstUnion. $396,000,000 (million dollars) in cash, and $137,500,000 (million dollars) in stock options. This man was a thief’s thief. Arrogant, repulsive and with little or no concern for anybody. He was 62 years old and to add salt to the wound was entitled to Social Security of $2437.00 per month.
Even before Cooke’s publicized retirement, The President make an attempt to cap all CEO compensation, but Cooke, who employed so many high priced lawyers had retainers in place that it would eventually cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars just to slow the course of action. In the end, the White House and Justice Department dumped the idea. Possibly because campaigns were given an incredible $22,500,000. (million dollars) through a complicated structure of smaller donations.
The media again played up the retirement of this tycoon and it was effortless for anyone to Google a place time and event. With a stroke of a button on a keyboard, one could cross into the dawn of cyberspace. Now, all the trio had to do is set up a time and place where they could devastate their victim. This would be a challenge because there were no wooded areas in which to hide in the new mega multiplex in Ogunquit .
Richmond recalled how the D.C. shooters, Muhammad and Malvo made use of the trunk of their car by removing a rear light fixture and using the opening as a rest for the gun barrel. If all went as planned, they could pull of their hit with total accuracy.
The theory was a good one, but they would have to replace the light quickly once the shot was fired to avoid a traffic stop.
On the afternoon of the shooting traffic was clogged-up, but this is what they had to contend with in order to proceed with their attack. They reviewed their plan and recognized their target from news clips and studying him in The Ogunquit MegaComplex Resort Casino.
Timing was important! The sniper car, with Richmond lying in wait in a prone position in the trunk, Curt driving and Tavis in the passenger seat was now just seconds away from wiping out their third victim. Curt spotted the limo and jockeyed to line up his victim with Richmond. When the car carrying Cooke stopped and the CEO stepped out, - POW! The gunshot inaudible with the hustle and bustle of sounds of Ogunquit instantly claimed its third casualty. Another victory for the people. Curt slowly and cautiously merged with the traffic as Richmond replaced the tail light.
The trio made it safely back to the barn. The total: three CEO’s wounded, and excitement was running high. They swigged more alcohol and waited for the 11:00 O’clock news. To their stunned and shocked surprise, the shot killed Cooke. Now the trio was guilty of pre-meditated murder - all three faced life in prison, but Maine spared them the death penalty! Curt freaked out screaming, yelling - and shouting at Richmond:
“How could you miss? - you moron!”
By now, Tavis consumed so much alcohol causing him to pass out as he dropped. The other two flopped into their sleeping bags and in minutes were dead to the world from sheer exhaustion combined with drunkenness.
* * *
With no sense of right and wrong from the night before, Richmond cautioned the brothers that he would be the one to be seated at the Black Jack table. They were given orders to ‘get lost’. In Ogunquit, more then two people gathered attract the attention of security - and this threesome - could conceivably without any difficulty draw interest.
Richmond was working the table like a pro. The pit bosses are forever keeping an eye on for anyone who may be counting cards, or possessed the know-how to beat the system. He was winning - up $2500.00 from his meager beginnings of $200.00. All he wanted was to win a few bucks - enough to take the edge off. Then, greed got the best of him. He won $2500 and with the winnings placed an all - or nothing at all bet. The operator spun the wheel - but, not in his favor. The house retrieved all of his cash. He shook his head in disappointment disappearing into an adjoining room.
As he was about to exit the casino Richmond was drawn to the musical blare of a slot machine several feet away. It coerced him to place a one dollar bet and with his last dollar threw all caution to the wind. It made the unforgettable sounds all slots make and the first wheel rolled a cherry - the machine whirred again, producing yet a second cherry, and as he walked away with the probability that he would lose with the remaining wheel but a third and final cherry appeared and bells and sirens rang out! Flashing lights attracted attention from all over the room. People gathered on all sides slapping him on the back, congratulating him on his win. Richmond Rand a killer won $17,765,500.00 (million dollars). The payouts in Ogunquit were astronomical.
It was dreamlike, and what he didn’t want to happen finally did. His photo was about to be flashed on every news station in New England and the gambling world for that matter. This was a bitter sweet time for Richmond Rand. He could do without the media hype - especially with two previous shootings and one murder to his credit.
There was no way of escaping the group of officials whose task it was to identify the winner and authenticate his name and social security number. The thrill of the win was momentarily shadowed by his incomprehensible deed as a killer. For the time though, he would have to walk with officials to the pay out room and finalize the task of signing documents. The Abenaki casinos are not exempted from “the tax man cometh!” and employ a staff who settle on the amount of state and federal taxes. With the government insisting on their share, Richmond Rand was handed a check after taxes in the amount of $11,953,243.76 (million dollars). An Ogunquit MegaComplex Resort Casino publicity camera crew recorded the momentous occasion. There was no way to escape the media. At a time like this he just wanted to fade away.
It was forty five minutes since the windfall of cash, and it was all so surreal. How would he explain his winnings to the brothers?
By the time Curt and Tavis caught up with Richmond they were naïve as to the enormous jackpot and puzzled as to why so many people were congratulating him. They did have some inclination that he won money, but just how much they were uncertain. Only a fool would be so brainless as to pass over that likelihood.
Richmond remained cautious and made every effort to conceal his good fortune. Together they returned to their deprived tack room at the rear of the old barn where Richmond informed them of the events of the last several hours. Tavis wanted to know how much his share would be, thinking he was due an equal share. He was the least of the members to share in a like amount. Richmond told the brothers they would get a share, but Curt maintained the winnings be split 3 ways.
After informing them that he just won the largest jackpot in the history of Ogunquit and - revealing the sensational amount of money - nearly $12,000,000 (million dollars), Curt figured their share should be approximately 3.5 million each. There was absolutely no way Tavis, the loser of the group and Curt were to get their hands on that much money. Richmond replied furiously at the suggestion, and offered the brothers $100,000 each. Take it or leave it!
Tavis was ecstatic at the idea of having $100,000 in cash. His brother however wanted more than a mere $100,000. He responded that his share should be more like his original calculation of $3,500,000 (million dolla
rs) and muttered something about informing the police Richmond’s murderous actions causing tension between Richmond and Curt. That’s when an argument broke out.
“What good is any amount of money going do you and knucklehead when you’re strapped to a gurney in the lethal injection chamber of the state prison?” Richmond snapped, calling their bluff about Maine not having the death penalty.
Curt unenthusiastically agreed to the $100,000, but wanted his share as early as possible in the morning.
* * *
The colossal win was reason enough for the trio to leave the broken down old barn they called home for the past several weeks for a considerable upgrade in comfort of an inexpensive room at a motel on the outer edge of town. The Cadillac Motel was a reprieve from the crude living conditions on the farm and with hot water, clean beds, and free breakfast, the trio moved in.
The brothers awakened early with the expectation of traveling to the bank withdrawing their cut of the cash. Richmond insisted once they have cash in hand go back to the motel, keep several hundred bucks for themselves and place the remainder in the room safe out of harms way.
At the First National Bank of Ogunquit, Richmond requested a manager the purpose of which was the withdrawal of $300,000 in cash. $100,000 for each of the brothers and $100,000 for himself. It was not unusual for winners of Ogunquit jackpots to withdraw huge amounts of cash. Most often, they were right back in the casinos spending like a drunken sailor.
He returned to the car with two large bags jam packed with a half million dollars. The brothers were ecstatic at the piles of new bills and the smell of fresh ink. Each counted out 1,000 one hundred dollar bills and as far as they were concerned they were rich. Not filthy rich, but some measure of wealth.
Richmond Rand was now in up to his neck. Within a short period of time the trio would be sought after. It wouldn’t take long for cops to zero in on them. Forensic science is so far advanced that it was now only a matter of time before arrests were made.
Gnawing at Richmond was the idea of how to finally get rid of the brothers. He was now convinced more than ever, one or both of them were going to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and with enough money to purchase a lot of alcohol, their lose lips would sink the proverbial ship.
Something had to be done with the brothers. There was no way Curt would be part of his brother’s removal. If either of the brothers were permitted to disclose the details of their past it was certain failure for this trio. With a pocket full of cash they were in good emotional health, but when they were out of money would they reveal what went on before the infusion of big bucks?
At the Black Jack table, Richmond made friends with Henry “Hank” Spencer Gambler an ex-con who served 3 years for smuggling illegal’s across the Canadian border into Maine. Weathered and wrinkled, the sun and heat taken its toll, prison on the other hand, created a masculine example and he was in terrific shape for 48 years of age.
Hank was not a serious gambler, but on occasion was known to take part in supporting the Ogunquit establishment. Winning a hundred bucks here and a hundred there, he was careful with his money and walking away was easy. It was a routine he enjoyed. Prison trained him to make adjustments for the benefit of a fresh new life.
He was the only employee of a charter boat company offering a day of fishing and relaxation off the shores of Marginal Lake. More often than not his customers were typical vacationers but on occasion a high roller who recently won big bucks and wanted to throw a party for his friends would charter his boat. Gambler as he was known was familiar with the lake and the boat’s sonar was up to date for locating large mouth bass and several other species of prized fish. If anyone was acquainted with the depths of Marginal lake it was Gambler.
Although they were only acquainted with one another for less than a week, when Richmond was broke and down to his last buck, Gambler offered him a $20.00 bill on occasion. Not a lot of money, but enough to establish a relationship. One strange detail about Gambler is that he never expected anything in return. He was clean and respectable.
When Richmond hit the jackpot, he remembered his friend and in a moment of appreciation was thoughtful to Gambler. Although only several days into the friendship, Richmond searched his morality as to how he could go about enlisting his help in the probable disposal of two bodies - and finally confided in Gambler.
If it were not been for the significant amount of money discussed - $100,000 in cash, Gambler would have walked away from the arrangement. A hundred thousand bucks is more money than he could earn in 5 years. He examined his sense of right and wrong weighing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison!
Richmond would need a place where the two could discuss the plan without the problem of anyone within earshot. Gambler suggested his boat - which also functioned as his home. Above deck it was just a charter boat, but below was another matter. It was his comfort zone - his man cave - a world very few people the opportunity to see. The living quarters were remarkably tidy. If nothing else, prison life trained him well in his ability to keep a “tight ship.”
Once below deck Richmond began by asking how he could commit the perfect crime. Cautious enough to know they had to build on their plan without the use of any other person, all communication would have to be by means of eye contact and body language. Absolutely no cell phones were to be used. No written messages and no meetings to discuss the matter especially at odd hours. On a regular basis the marina closed at 9:00 PM, but there were occasions when a boat returned around midnight. It would not be uncommon for them to be in the marina at midnight, because this is where Gambler lived. Even so, the less contact they had in public would exclude them from suspicion.
Gambler proposed that if a person were to dispose of a body Marginal Lake would be the perfect location. He knew the lay of the lake floor, and the exact spot of the deep water chasms. Police could drag the lake, but if the bodies were dropped into the deep holes, there was a limitless presence that would plunge for another four or five thousand feet. With enough weight on the victims, the bodies would disappear into oblivion and not even the most complex technology could find them. That was one theory - and possibly the best, and the brothers - would cease to exist!
As for the method of the disappearance it would have to be done just after dark. Then again, perhaps the most challenging problem would be how four men could board the boat in daylight but only Richmond and Gambler return. This was a plan in need of further research.
The method by which Gambler and Richmond would get rid of the bodies was simple: there would be enough booze - specifically beer - and added to the beer would be Ambien - a medication used to induce sleep. A single tablet consists of 10mg of the drug zolpidem. With that dosage the human body was fast asleep in under 20 minutes. However, if someone were to drop three or even four Ambien tablets each time they were handed another beer, they would be comatose in 30 minutes.
Once passed out, they would be bound with duct take and wrapped with heavy link chain secured with a lock. Slipping their bodies overboard and watching them slide deeper into the dim black lake would guarantee oblivion.
Caution was to be exercised with the purchase of the chain and locks. To avoid any trace of culpability, these items couldn’t be purchased at local hardware stores ensuring an immediate trace of customer purchases. Keep in mind Richmond was raised on an old farm. The maintenance shack was filled with a variety of equipment and among the bits and pieces of machinery were odd lengths of chain. Then again this piece of good fortune allowed Richmond and Gambler a sufficient amount of heavy objects with which to weigh down the bodies. This to be the perfect crime and if anything demonstrated the least trace of incompetence it spelled disaster!
Richmond would hand over $10,000 right away and the balance of $90,000 in cash once the act was completed. The plan was to gag and bind the men, wrap their bodies with the heavy chain and drop them overboar
d. Richmond was at last going to do away with the encumbrance.
* * *
Following the trip to the First National Bank of Ogunquit the three returned to the Cadillac Motel and placed the cash in the room’s wall safe. The combination was uncomplicated: To open the safe all one had to do was swipe the room card into the digital reader. When the light turned from red to green the door could be opened taking into consideration all three held cards of their own. They continued on with the plan of the day - boating on Marginal Lake!
In an effort to carry out his plan Richmond convinced the brothers that he wanted to take them on a boat trip for a day on a rented 35 foot boat - Gambler’s boat the following day.
* * *
Their frame of mind now changed as the two brothers didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Tavis talked of buying a new BMW convertible, Curt was going to use his share as a down payment on a piece of land back home in West Brookfield where he would raise Bison for slaughter. A small ranch - somewhat of a lifelong dream.
Under constant worry despite the fact he was on the anti-anxiety medication GEODON, Richmond was in need of a good night’s sleep.
The medication created a deep sleep - the source of hallucination, but when combined with alcohol it developed into a dangerous cocktail. Richmond popped two tablets into his mouth washed them down with beer and floated away into a intense sleep.