Jesse’s lungs seemed to expand and take in deeper breaths of
air.
“Jenn,” he said.
Dix looked noncommittal.
73
When Jesse came into the station Molly was making coffee.
“Hertz says the Volvo got turned in at the Toronto airport,” she
said.
“Nice to know we can trust them,” Jesse said.
Molly poured water into the green Mr. Coffee machine.
“And,” Molly said, “nobody who
flies out of Toronto has any
reservations for Arlington Lamont.”
“They could just show up and buy a ticket.”
“Doesn’t seem like their style,”
Molly said. “They reserved the
rental ahead of time. They think they’re safe.”
“Did they rent another car?”
“Not from Hertz,” Molly said.
“Call the other rental companies and check,” Jesse
said.
“Soon as I make us coffee,” Molly said.
She spooned ground coffee into the filter.
“I will also expect the department to pay all medical bills
related to getting concrete information in a human voice from twenty-three airlines,” Molly said.
Jesse nodded.
“Beyond the call of duty,” Jesse said.
“I’m sure we can do
something for you.”
“Suit’s in a car today, seven to three, but he says tell you
that he’s talked with San Mateo and the only thing they could tell
him was that, according to the 1993 telephone directory, Arlington Lamont lived there. And by 1996 he didn’t.”
“Any unsolved homicides?” Jesse said.
“Suit asked them that. They said they’d get back to
him.”
“He talk to San Francisco?”
“Yes. They have nothing.”
“Do me one other favor?” he said.
“Maybe,” Molly said.
“Let me know when the coffee’s
done,” Jesse said.
“Better than that,” Molly said.
“I’ll bring you
some.”
“Thank you,” Jesse said.
“I’m sucking up to you,” Molly
said. “‘Cause you’re the
chief.”
“Good a reason as any,” Jesse said and went into his
office.
He sat at his desk and put his feet up and looked out the window
