the child? Are you sure about this guy?”
“Doesn’t fit. He did say, in order to gain custody now, he’s going to inform the court that the shootings and Abby’s failure to report the child missing is evidence of reckless and improper parenting.”
She answered her buzzing phone. He watched her face as it turned to a pale frown. Finally she said, “Yes, sir.” She held the phone away from her ear and grimaced. Again, “Yes, sir. I’m heading out there right now. Yes, sir.” She hung up.
“What on earth?”
“Triney.” She appeared contrite. “Kevin had called me earlier wanting to know if my meeting with Kidde shed any light on the kidnapping. I told him no, but said we now had Abby for blackmail and that’d be enough for him to get custody of Jamie. I knew he’d be pleased to hear that.”
“You’re getting pretty chummy with this guy. Why’d he have to know about the blackmail scheme?”
“He didn’t, I guess. I was trying to pacify him. I goofed. Kevin has been bugging Triney to find Jamie. Kevin let it slip about Abby trying to blackmail Kidde. All that was news to Triney. He wants to see me now. He’s really steamed.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
It was dark by the time she drove into the Ramada parking lot. This was turning into one long day. At least the stress of dealing with Freddy Kidde was behind her. Now she needed to pacify Triney. She needed his help and he was trying to be on her side. In fact, it seemed to her that he had gotten himself too emotionally involved in her problems.
She spotted his unmarked Crown Vic in the side parking lot and slid into the seat beside him. He was still riled.
“What was all that buddy-buddy, let’s work together stuff you fed me. I’m working on Abby shooting Banks. You know of some blackmail development and I have to hear about it second-hand from Kevin Olin. Explain yourself, girl. You really disappoint me.”
“Look, I just found out about Abby’s blackmail attempt today. I couldn’t tell you right away. I was going to take it to Moran. Trust me on this.”
“I wouldn’t trust you now between 11:59 and midnight. I’m working on both the Bruce Banks murder and the Toby Towalski murder. You know that. I shared some info with you on the beach body case and did some off the clock favors on the unofficial kidnapping. What do I get in return? If you know something to help me, don’t I even deserve an anonymous tip?”
“You’re right, I’m sorry, you’re right. I haven’t told Moran anything yet, so there’s still time for me to make it up to you. However, we can’t officially talk unless I waive my right to an attorney and I’m not going to do that.”
“You’re supposed to be so clever. You could have phoned me and disguised your voice.” There was a small smile in his voice; he was settling down.
“I really goofed by mentioning blackmail to Kevin. I was trying to keep his spirits up, letting him know there was some progress. All I told him was Toby Towalski and Abby Olin were involved in a blackmail scheme. That’s what the money you found in her place is all about. She wanted him out of the way to get all the money for herself, thereby giving her a motive to shoot Toby. And a motive is what you need to solve your case.”
“What’d you just say?”
“What? I'm not supposed to say anything. Did I just say something? Just talking about Kevin.
He was pleased. “Okay. Sorry I got a little hot there and overreacted. Who were they blackmailing?”
“I’ll try and make a deal with Moran. Trade what I know in exchange for dropping the charge against me. After that, I can tell you everything.”
“That’s different. I didn’t realize you were taking it all to Moran. You just gave me a break for both of my cases. Does the blackmailee live in my county?”
“No, I’ll give you his name later,” she explained. “So you can’t talk about the Banks shooting with me, right? But you can talk about the subsequent shooting of Toby.”
“You don’t give up, do you? Okay, I’ll give you this. We believe Toby’s killer used a revolver as we found no casing. The bullet lodged in his back. There’s a twist. The county lab tech says it’s an old .32 long, an obsolete caliber for a revolver. An odd duck.”
“I just gave you Abby’s murder motive,” she said. “Do you know her whereabouts at the time of Toby’s murder?”
“We’re working on it. Obviously, she’s a suspect.” He turned in the seat and directly faced her. “Sandy, you’re much better at this stuff than I ever suspected. Did you think anymore about joining the sheriff’s department? We’d make a dream team.”
“Thanks, but you’d get tired of me and my mouth very quickly.”
“Don’t bet on that, Sugar.”
“Can’t think of any of that now. Finding Jamie is number one for me. Then I’ll help you people find who killed Toby. I can do it too. You watch me!”
“You’ve got me sold.” The detective studied her intently as she swung her legs out and walked back to her car. He waved as he pulled out into the traffic.
She sat in her little red Miata, leaned back, and looked up at the cloudless night sky. The scary episode with Toby and her long conversation today with Freddy Kidde seemed a long way away. Some pieces were finally fitting together...at least the pieces of other people’s problems. State Attorney Moran could be counted on to make trouble for her as he’d vowed to do on several occasions. If he considered just his own best interests, he’d drop the conspiracy charge in return for her cooperation and her findings. That would permit him to close the Privado Beach case, and smooth the way toward a successful prosecution of Abby Olin. Then again, he might continue prosecuting Sandy out of spite born of their past confrontations.
Moran was a worry she’d put off until tomorrow. She needed some down time. As she glanced around at the dark parking lot, her eyes were drawn up the second floor balcony. A light was on in Room 210.
What was Mr. Nice Guy doing right now? Would she like to see him, relax a bit with him, possibly know him better? Sure.
She found his number. “Kevin, why don’t you come down to the lounge and have a drink with me?”
“Why don’t we go out for dinner instead? I’ve been meaning to ask you, but you’re running around so much. I heard about a nice quiet French place across town called Rendezvous. Always wanted to go there. Would you like that?”
“Now you’re talking. May I run past my place and change?”
“Sure, meet you at Rendezvous in one hour.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
Sunlight streamed through the gaps around the curtains and Sandy awoke. It took a moment for her to adjust to the unfamiliar hotel room and remember why she was in a strange bed and naked with half of her body uncovered.
At that moment, she heard the shower, remembered Kevin, and her mind did a pleasant replay of the night before. The impromptu dinner date had moved their relationship along much faster than she’d anticipated. Faster and farther. No morning-after regrets, yet she was surprised at her impulsiveness. She leaned back on the pillows and smiled.
It had been a quiet and easygoing dinner at Rendezvous. They hesitated before opting to eat outside on the garden patio in January, however the restaurant had tall lamppost-like heaters spaced about and the otherwise natural evening atmosphere out there was charming. Charming and private. They made ordinary, but interesting, conversation about their lives and the time passed too quickly.
Sitting there, she became aware of an unexpected pleasant feeling. This simple predictable dinner date scene was somehow different. Not quite exciting, more like exhilarating, unanticipated fun. She didn’t fail to notice twice
