“Chloe and I will go do some father-daughter bonding at the mall.”
“Really?” Meredith stared at her husband with a questioning expression. “Last time you took her shopping, you vowed to never set foot in a store with her again.”
“Did I?” Jet looked at Spencer and winked. “I guess I should remember that every conversation with a woman is recorded for training and quality-assurance purposes.”
Spencer snickered.
Meredith swatted her husband’s arm and ordered, “Get out of here.”
Jet twisted the knob. “If I’m not home by dinnertime, send in the SWAT team.”
“Watch your six.” Meredith closed the door behind her husband, then gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. “Have a seat.”
Once they were settled, Spencer said, “Thank you for meeting with me.”
Meredith nodded. “I’ve been meaning to invite you in since you were hired.” She leaned back in her chair and said, “Because Regina Bourne was a NU student, I’m guessing this is about her murder.”
“Yes.” Spencer adjusted the crease in his trousers, glad he’d decided to wear a suit today. “I was hoping you could bring me up-to-date on the progress your department has made on the case and let me know if any of the suspects are connected to the university.”
Meredith picked up a gold pen. Hitting it against her palm, the chief gazed at him as if taking his measure, then said, “We don’t usually discuss an active investigation with anyone outside the department.”
“I understand.” Spencer wasn’t sure how to respond. It was hard to read Meredith’s expression. “But I’d really appreciate it if you could make an exception.” Recalling the chief’s teenage daughter, he added, “My niece Ivy was at the Bourne girl’s party.”
“Yes, I know. Detective Mikeloff noted that in his report.” Meredith crossed her arms. “But she doesn’t seem to be a serious suspect. At least no more so than Ms. Bourne’s other friends and associates.”
“Glad to hear it.” Spencer met the chief’s eyes. “So who is?”
“That’s not something I can share with you.” Meredith tapped some keys and peered at her computer monitor. “But I can assure you that person has nothing official to do with the university.”
“And by official”—Spencer kept all expression from his face—“you mean that she runs a business that sells to-go lunches to the students.”
“Perhaps.” Meredith’s voice was cool. “What’s your interest in this person?”
“She’s my niece’s landlady,” Spencer said, and when the chief raised her eyebrow, he added, “And I feel like I owe her whatever help I can provide. She’s always kept an eye out for Ivy.”
“Mmm.” Meredith’s mouth pursed, then her lips curved upward. She stared at him for a second, gave a small shrug, and said, “If you already know that Danielle Sloan is a suspect, why are you here?”
“Two reasons,” Spencer answered quickly. It seemed as if the chief might be willing to throw him a bone or two and he wanted her to trust him. “One. Has the medical examiner completed his report yet?”
Meredith tapped a few more keys. “He finished it this morning.”
“Anything you’re willing to share?” Spencer asked. “I understand the preliminary finding was that an insulin overdose was the cause of death.”
“That’s true,” Meredith confirmed.
“Was there anything else found?” Spencer leaned forward. “Anything that would help nail down an alibi?”
Meredith hesitated, then said, “When you asked for this appointment, I reviewed your employment record and spoke to several people in law enforcement about you.” She brought her fingertips together. “Everyone assures me that you are a good guy.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Spencer smiled. Who had vouched for him?
“But all I can tell you is that there’s nothing in the ME’s report that will help anyone establish an alibi.”
“Shit,” Spencer muttered, took a deep breath to calm himself, then said, “Okay. On to my second reason for this meeting.”
“Detective Mikeloff.” Meredith chuckled and Spencer realized that his mouth had dropped open. She sighed. “Yes. I’m aware there’s an issue with my officer.”
Meredith rose, unlocked a file cabinet, and took out a thick folder. Returning to her seat, she placed the file precisely in the center of her desktop.
“You know that, but Mikeloff is still working for you?” Spencer asked, frowning.
“There’s no proof he’s done anything wrong…yet.” Meredith’s straight, white teeth gleamed in a predatory smile. “Tell me why he concerns you.”
“First, there’s his reputation as a vengeful prick who is willing to set up innocent people if he has a grudge against them.” Spencer held up one finger, then added another. “Second, he was out of control when he interviewed my niece and her friends.”
“And third?” Meredith asked.
“Third, his prime suspect is the person who fired his nephew.”
“Ah.” Meredith flipped open the folder and jotted something down. “Ms. Sloan was previously employed in the HR department of Homestead Insurance. I take it Mikeloff’s nephew worked there.”
“Yes. His last name is different, but he’s a dead ringer for his uncle.”
“I wish that was enough to remove Mikeloff from the case, but it isn’t.” Meredith scowled. “His union rep would make too big a stink.”
“Because solving this murder is a sure step up the ladder to sergeant?”
“Yep.” Meredith gazed into space, then said, “Although there’s nothing I can do right now about removing Mikeloff, I will make sure he understands that I expect him to focus on more than one suspect and that I’m aware of his nephew’s relationship with Ms. Sloan.”
“That would be terrific.”
“I would be very interested in any evidence you can give me that can be used to get rid of him. I’d consider it a favor to the department.” She paused. “And in return, I will keep you informed regarding the Bourne investigation.”
Spencer stood and shook the chief’s hand. “You’ve got a deal.”
As he left the chief’s office, Spencer grinned. The meeting with Chief Cleary had gone much better than he’d expected, but he still needed to see the complete ME’s report, so the hundred he’d given
