one who ambushed Bobby. Monte admits to following Bobby when he left the crypt and to waiting until Bobby caught a red light then jacking him, pulling him out of his car, and dragging him over to where he says you shot Bobby. He even admits to putting Bobby back in the car. All you did, according to his version, is pull the trigger. John likes that story because it doesn’t depend on coincidence.”
Silence.
“This is ridiculous, Lieutenant.”
“So is sticking lynx hair on trees where it doesn’t belong. Which, when you think about it, isn’t that different from wiping away a stain. A stain Monte was too macho to get rid of at the scene-like you said, he’s a gambler, likes to take risks. Probably told you no way would they even analyze the stain. Two people are found in a sexual pose, there’s semen, why even suspect someone else contributed? I’m willing to believe he intimidated you that night, Lara, that’s why you couldn’t get rid of the stain right then and there. You both had guns but Monte’s was bigger. Size mattering and all that. You were training your little gun on Doreen while Monte did his big-gun thing, weren’t you? Then he strangled her, came on her leg.”
Silence.
“Lara?”
Silence.
“Lynx hairs, stains, it’s always about playing with evidence, Lara.”
Silence.
“Now you’re getting kind of closed up, Lara, the way you say Monte tends to be. That is not in your best interest, John Nguyen will not appreciate that.”
Silence.
“Lara, I’ve been open to your explanations, will continue to be open. But you’ve got to meet me halfway. Like that trip to Port Angeles to get the money. We’ve got Monte on video taking those suitcases, but both your names on the passenger list to Seattle. On a day you were off-shift.”
Silence.
“Tell me what really happened, Lara. Start at the beginning, it’s in your best interest.”
“We’re over.”
“Pardon?”
“Over. Finished. I need to have an attorney.”
“You’re saying you absolutely want an attorney.”
“Finished.”
“Suit yourself, Lara. You always do.”
CHAPTER 42
Knock on the door.
Milo said,
A Mutt-and-Jeff duo of female sheriffs stood over Lara Rieffen.
“Thank you, ladies, give this one the full strip-use that room across the hall.”
The shorter cop said, “Will do, Loo.”
He turned to Rieffen. “See you around, Lara? Or should we start using Kathy? For old times’ sake.”
Her reply was scalding eyes and a toss of strawberry blond.
The taller cop said, “I like your highlights. What do you use, L’Oreal?”
Stepping back inside, Milo removed his coat from the table, checked the mini-video-recorder he’d secreted under the garment. High-tech loan from Reed’s half brother Aaron Fox, formerly an LAPD homicide D, now a Beverly Hills private eye with a penchant for toys.
A partial replay revealed clear images and sound. “Perfect. Except for those extra ten pounds, can’t they invent a camera won’t do that?”
Gloving up, he searched Rieffen’s bag.
Inside were coroner’s credentials, five photos of her and M. Carlo Scoppio wearing hiking clothes, backdropped by forest.
“She look intimidated to you?”
“Not in the least.”
A wallet held a hundred twenty-three dollars in cash and some change, I.D.’s and credit cards under Lara Rieffen, Kathy Lara Vanderveldt, Laura Vander, Kathleen Rieffenstahl, Laura Rice, Cathy Rice, Lara Van Vliet.
A push-button stiletto and a pepper-spray dispenser shared a zipped compartment with two tampons.
Milo said, “That cries out for wit, but I lack the energy.”
A second pouch held a pair of opal earrings. He inspected the backs.
One was engraved.
“Trophy of the kill, poor Doreen.”
Another pouch, deeper and secured by a snap, contained lip balm, breath mints, a single sheet of white paper, letter-sized, folded twice.
Four-month-old e-mail from [email protected] to [email protected].
hey baby someone at the office put up one of those stupid posters today that affirmation for inner peace and I thought of you and made this up:
KATHY AND MONTE C.’S SUPREME NEGATION (FOR OUTER CHAOS)
I tell the truth. They lie.
I’m strong. They’re weak.
I’m good.
They’re bad.
that about sums it up, hey, babe? you want it you name it you the
bomb LOL love you forever continue to light my fuse
Irvin Wimmers showed up with two more tan uniforms. After a brief, happy chat with Milo, Wimmers and his team took Rieffen away, marching her through the crypt, cuffed, head-down, past stunned co-workers and Dave McClellan’s look of utter contempt. When she passed close to McClellan he made a point of directing a thumbs-up at Milo.
Rieffen looked up at him. Cobra disturbed from its nap.
I said, “Master manipulator.”
“Lotta good it did her,” said Milo.
“I was referring to you.”
“Moi? I’m crushed.” Grinning. “So how’d I do, Cecil B.?”
“You deserve a percentage of the adjusted gross and a big chunk of the marketing revenue.”
“Hooray for Hollyweird-not that I really fibby-fooed.”
“Perish the thought.”
“Think about it: Monte will soon be in custody, I just got there a little early.”
“I’ll jump-start your election committee soon as we’re back in the office.”
“Once we get him, is there any doubt he’ll turn on her? And Bobby
