© May 8, 2005
Linda Munro

PLEASE DO NOTCOPY OR IN ANY WAY USE ANY PORTION OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR: LINDA MUNRO

PART ONE
THE INVESTIGATION
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The groans that had accompanied the introduction of Professor Elder, has changed to verbalized excitement as the class wore on. Students had coerced the old man into following Professor Grant’s lesson plan for the remaining classes he would be teaching; holding his shoebox method specifically for this class. He had also promised to bring in the remaining shoeboxes of articles for the class to go through.

The class would meet again in two days; in the meantime students had divided a list of search words for which they would seek articles, obituaries, Wakely Funeral Home records, Surrogate Court records, bankruptcy records, Doing Business As {DBA} certificates, corporation and incorporation information on both Glass is Us and Glorified Glass, information on bee allergies, information on Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, public records on 4732 Lexwood Avenue, the arson report on the blaze concerning the property, Federal and State Labor Department records on Glass is Us; State attorney General records on Glass is Us, biographical information on Crystal and Catherine Cummings, and Grant Barker. Internet and database searches would be made. Professor Elder seemed to be as excited as the students. It appeared that after twenty years of utilizing a simple technique to help teach his students, he had hit the payload. Not only did this class find articles that corresponded with one another; they had also stumbled on the biggest mystery of their lifetime.

Sarah had been partnered with a mousy looking nineteen year old female name Sandy. The girl had a round face, pudgier near her nose, giving a kindred appearance to Jerry, the cartoon mouse. There were exactly five freckles on each cheek; her drab, brown hair blunt cut about two inches above her shoulders. Her brown eyes were close set – and her eyebrows so thick that they threatened to meet in a solid line across her lower forehead. To top it off, she was short and pudgy, if it wasn’t for her demure personality, one could find themselves giggling at her appearance.

They left the classroom together. Sandy’s breathy voice questioning their assignment; “Do you think that was a set-up?”

“A set-up?”

“Yes. Do you think that Professor Elder really knew which articles he had in that shoebox?”

Sarah paused, her step halting momentarily as she bounced the idea around her brain. “I suppose it is possible.” She answered, hastening her step. “But, only if Professor Elder is a good actor.”

“Maybe we should check that out too.”

Sarah smiled. “I like the way you think,” she confessed. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“Um,” Sandy faltered, stammering momentarily. “When should we start working on this?”

“I’m free. This is my only class today.”

“Me too.” Her excitement was undeniable. “Should we head to the library now?”

Flipping her notebook open; Sarah scanned her jumbled notes. “We’re doing a DBA, corporation search. I’m not sure how much we will be able to find here.” Glancing up, she noticed the disappointment edging itself into Sandy’s features. “But,” she quickly added, “We could probably get some information with an Internet search.” Sitting at adjoining computer stations, Sandy’s fingers lingered over the keyboard. “Where should we start?”

Giggling, Sarah answered. “Look for New York State Databases; I will look for Erie County Databases.”

Within an hour the girls had printed a small booklet worth of information and potential leads from their database searches. Despite the fact that the University Library did not subscribe to the Erie County Database which would have allowed for the printing of actual document copies; they had acquired a good deal of information including lawsuits against both Glass is Us and Glorified Glass, and lawsuits initiated by both companies; additional DBA’s and assumed names, that each company had done business under, at least within Erie County, New York. Additionally, they located Uniform Commercial Code [UCC} information, Incorporation certification information, tax warrants, worker’s compensation warrants, Federal tax liens, New York State tax liens, and suits initiated by the New York State Industrial Commissioner.

The State records database, offered additional information, including exact amounts and debtor information on all UCC filings, the originating company, its chief and principal executive officer; as well as original corporate filing locations and original addresses. A basic Internet search offered additional locations and their addresses. Organization memberships were also identified. Library subscription databases offered further information, including; out of state business addresses, type of locations, whether or not the location had a headquarters, estimated sales of each particular location, ABI numbers, credit ratings and fortune 1000 ranking. The search also resulted in knowledge of area fairs and festivals, at which the company participated and/or sponsored.

“Wow!” Sandy flipped through the stack of copies. “Look at all of this information.

“We’re not finished yet.” Sarah began searching for listings of state by state databases.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to find…” Stopping, Sarah leaned forwarded, staring at the database list she had just brought on screen. “Sitting up, she looked around before returning her attention to the computer.

Clicking on the more button above the Google search, she scrolled down to toolbar. Poising the curser over toolbar, she gave a second cursory glance to assure no one was watching.

Sandy’s hand grabbed her wrist. “What are you doing?” Her voice was hushed, yet urgent.

“Shhh!” Sarah warned. “If this computer hasn’t locked out downloads, I’m going to install a Google toolbar; it’s faster.”

“I don’t think, it’s….”

Sarah pulled her arm free of Sandy’s grasp, clicking on toolbar and then download before Sandy had the opportunity to conclude her objection. Within a few seconds, the toolbar was downloaded and installed.

Sandy wiped away the dots of perspiration that had broken out across her forehead, as Sarah typed state by state databases in the toolbar. Momentarily, pages of links appeared, the number one spot being occupied by searchsystems.net. Glancing at Sandy, Sarah flashed an exaggerated smile as she clicked the link.

In a few moments the new toolbar was installed, Sarah typed; state by state databases, hit enter and watched the results accumulate on her screen. Clicking on the first link, she smiled. “Copy this web address.”

Back and forth, Sandy’s eyes staggered between the two computers, her fingers nimbly typing the web address into the browser of her computer. “Now what?” She asked, as the page loaded on her screen.

“Since we know that this company was doing business in other states, we are going to search for business records in every state. Search every way possible. You take A through M, I will take N through Z. Search under each company name and under the individual names we have.”

“Why?” A distinct whine had entered her voice.

“Because you want to be an investigative journalist,” Sarah scolded. “So, let’s investigate!”

Without further discourse, the girls began their search.

*******************************************************************

The bright sunshine of the day had given way to the gloom of evening as the two excited females exited the campus library. They had printed information from several states around the country; information that lead them to further sources of information. They had indeed stumbled onto an item that deserved investigation. This company had been known by a variety of names all over the Eastern sector of the United States; the owners seemed to fluctuate between the names Crystal Cunningham and Grant Barker. In every state that they had been legal administered business rights, there were a stream of law suits against the company, and warrants from tax departments, worker’s compensation units and state insurance departments. The more information the duo had located, the deeper the idea became embedded into Sarah’s brain, that the death of Crystal Cunningham had not been accidental. It was possible that Crystal Cunningham knew more than she should have; with all of the warrants on file, it was also possible that Crystal had cut a deal.

Apparently, Cunningham and Barker had worked closely on this scheme. Was it also possible that Barker feared a jail sentence if Cunningham sang?

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