Chase had seen enough. He headed for the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going home.”
“We’re not finished here, Detective.”
“Oh, yes we are. If you have anything more to say, you give me a call and I’ll send someone over.”
“Get your ass back in here,” Chase heard the man call out as he walked toward the elevator.
Lizzy wasn’t surprised when she heard from Detective Chase. He told her he had some questions for her, but he wanted her to meet him at his house. He told her lunch would be served, and that she should arrive prepared to eat.
She figured it was about Bennett. She didn’t have to play detective to discover Bennett was in the hospital with multiple contusions, a fractured wrist, and some internal bleeding. Nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Once Bennett was released, she and the girls would be on red alert. She continued to work with the prosecutor, Grady Orwell. Until Bennett was locked up, nobody was safe. Nobody.
Lizzy arrived at Chase’s house right on time. When he opened the door to let her in, she couldn’t help but smile at his appearance. Over a pair of beige slacks and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows was a full-length white apron.
“Looks like you’re doing some serious cooking.”
“Cooking is serious business. Come on in.”
Lizzy followed him inside. Everything looked the same as the last time she was here: single-hole golf course where the dining room table should be, television on in the other room. Detective Chase headed for the kitchen, where he slipped on an oven mitt, opened the oven, and pulled out crusty Italian bread covered in bubbling cheese and tomato sauce—operating entirely with one hand, as he still wore a sling on his left arm.
“How’s the arm?”
“It’s been better. It’ll get there. Time to heal is all it needs.”
“Smells good,” she said.
“Today we’re having eggplant and mozzarella melt. I hope you like garlic butter and eggplant Parmesan.”
“It looks delicious.”
He’d set places for them in front of stools at the kitchen counter. He poured them both a tall glass of cold milk and then sat down next to her and dug in.
She took a bite. “Delicious. Where did you learn to cook?”
“Mom. She’s Italian. Best cook in all of New York City.”
After she’d finished about half of her open sandwich, it had become clear he wasn’t in a hurry to have a conversation about whatever he had called her here to talk about.
“So, what’s this about? Why am I here, Detective?”
He washed his last bite down with half a glass of his milk and then used his napkin to wipe his mouth. “OK, I’m feeling better now. I needed that.”
She waited.
“It’s about Bennett.”
“What about him?”
“I was called to the hospital to take the report. Apparently he was attacked after arriving home from work. He said there were three people working on him, but he only heard two voices. Both female.”
“Hmm. Interesting.”
“He was beat up pretty bad. Fractured nose, broken wrist, lacerations deep enough to require over a hundred stitches.”
“Why are you telling me this? I can’t say he didn’t deserve it.”
“You already know he’s a very powerful man.”
“He’s a child molester and a rapist, and you and I both know he killed Miriam Walters, otherwise she would have turned up by now. I’m sure you’ve heard about Olimpia Padula? The girl in his program who drowned in the bathtub?”
“She was a drug addict. It happens all the time.”
“Chase, listen to what you’re saying. Did you ever talk to the girl?” Lizzy shook her head. “I did. Olimpia hadn’t taken drugs since she was fifteen. She went straight. She worked hard. Hard enough to be accepted into Bennett’s program for honor students.” Lizzy tapped a finger on top of her head. “Use some logic. You don’t do that well in school if you’re doing drugs. And that’s not all. As he did to so many others, Bennett sexually assaulted Olimpia Padula, but this promising young woman was willing to testify against him.”
He sighed.
“It’s your problem now, though. I’m closing up shop. I’m done.”
That got his attention.
“Don’t look so glum. You should be thrilled that I won’t be causing you any more trouble.”
“Why now?”
“Because I’m pregnant.”
That seemed to take the air out of him.
“Jared and I are having a baby. I’m four months along.”
Detective Chase looked dumbfounded.
“I think I might have been every bit as stunned as you look right now when I found out.”
“Do I detect a note of happiness?”
“Yeah,” she said with a smile, “you do. I didn’t see it coming, but I’m excited about what’s ahead.”
Chase’s surprise quickly turned to concern. “I’m glad for you, Lizzy, but the reason I asked you to come here today is because I’m worried about something.”
Lizzy waited for him to continue.
“Bennett named you specifically as his assailant.”
“Ridiculous.” Lizzy did her best to appear untroubled. “Thanks for the warning, Detective, but you don’t need to worry about me.”
“He was hoping to find video footage on his high-definition security system. I have to ask you straight up. Did you set foot on Wayne Bennett’s property?”
“No.”
“As you know, he can be ruthless.”
“You said he was hoping to find video footage . . . Did he or didn’t he?”
“My guys have already checked into it. Bennett’s recording was on full HD. He didn’t have the required HDD storage capacity needed to keep the video loading. He’s got nothing.”
Relieved, Lizzy said, “Are you trying to say you think he might come after me?”
His shoulders dropped. “I’m just telling you to be careful, that’s all.”
“Don’t worry. I always am.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Tonight Hayley had decided to make the rounds by herself. Her car was still broken down and she had no plans to have it fixed, so she had hitchhiked her way to West Sacramento.
She and Kitally had spent five nights out on the streets, and they had nothing to show for their efforts. Kitally might be upset when she found out Hayley went without her, but that was too bad. She preferred to work solo.
She passed by the park and then found a spot where she could sit on the curb and watch a few people down the road setting up camp. She pulled out her cigarettes and lit one up, wondering if she’d ever really be able to quit the habit.
As she sat beneath the stars, she thought of her date with Tommy and found herself smiling as she remembered his absurd talk of his future plans. Living in a little house by the river. Tommy could be a doofus at times, but he’d stuck by her. And she couldn’t help but wonder why.
She turned toward the sound of rattling wheels. A shopping cart, being pushed by a guy with long red hair and the beginnings of a beard. He stopped when he’d moved abreast of her and peered down at her.
“Got an extra smoke?”
“Sure.”
He took a seat next to her on the curb, and she gave him a cigarette and lit it for him.
“Thanks.” He took a long, luxurious drag and sent a column of smoke into the night air. “So,” he said, turning to her, “what’s a nice girl like you doing out here on the street?”
“Just enjoying a smoke,” she said with a laugh. She took a hit and then looked him over. “How’s it going?”
“Not too good. I lost my job six months ago. Made the rounds, spending the night with friends and family until I finally wore out my welcome. I wasn’t out here on these very streets for too long before I woke up one night to some mean-as-hell monster chick beating the hell out of me.”