“A golden retriever.”
“More like a giant hamster.”
“I was sort of hoping he’d marry me,” Valerie said. “I was hoping he’d be taller.”
“Valerie, this isn’t a date. This is a job. Where is he now?”
“He went next door. There’s something wrong with the vending machine that dispenses detergent.”
“He’s a nice guy. A little annoying, maybe. But he won’t fire you for spilling chicken soup. In fact, he’ll buy you a replacement lunch. Think about it.”
“And I shouldn’t have worn these shoes,” Valerie said. “I’m dressed all wrong.”
I disconnected and found a place to park on the street across from Sebring. I put a quarter in the meter and made sure it registered.. I didn’t need another parking ticket. I still hadn’t paid the last one.
Sebring’s secretary walked me upstairs and led me into Sebring’s private office. Sebring was waiting for me. And so was Jeanne Ellen Burrows.
I extended my hand to Sebring. “Nice to see you again,” I said. I nodded to Jeanne Ellen. She smiled in return.
“I guess you’re out of a job,” I said to Jeanne Ellen.
“Yes. And I’ll be flying to Puerto Rico later today to pick up an FTA for Les. I wanted to tell you about Soder before I left. For what it’s worth, Soder claimed Annie was in danger. He never articulated that danger, but he felt Evelyn was incapable of protecting his daughter. I wasn’t successful at locating Annie, but I realized Dotty was the conduit… the weak link. So I guarded Dotty.”
“What about the back door? That was left unguarded.”
“I had the house wired,” Jeanne Ellen said. “I knew you were in there.”
“The house was wired, but you still couldn’t find Evelyn?”
“Evelyn’s location was never mentioned. You blew the whistle on me before I had a chance to follow Dotty to Evelyn.”
“And what about Soder? The scene in the bookstore and at Dotty’s house?”
“Soder was a fool. He thought he could bully Dotty into talking.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
Jeanne Ellen shrugged. “Professional courtesy.”
I looked beyond her to Sebring. “Do you have an ongoing interest in this?”
“Not unless Soder comes back from the dead.”
“What’s your opinion? Do you think Annie’s in danger?”
“Someone killed her father,” Sebring said. “That’s not a good sign. Unless, of course, it was Annie’s mom who hired the hit. Then everything works out roses.”
“Do either of you know how Eddie Abruzzi fits into this puzzle?”
“He owned Soder’s bar,” Jeanne Ellen said. “And Soder was afraid of him. If Annie actually was in danger, I thought the threat might be tied to Abruzzi. Nothing concrete, just a feeling I had.”
“I hear you found Soder sitting on your couch,” Sebring said to me. “Do you know what that means?”
“My couch has death cooties?”
Sebring smiled and his teeth almost blinded me. “You can’t wash away death cooties,” he said. “Once they’re on your couch, they’re there to stay.”
