“Huress has been nosing around. I don’t want our cars seen together. Yours stands out like a red jellybean in a bowl of peanuts.”
“Huress?”
“Bobby Huress, my old partner. We rode patrol. He thought we were great buddies but I just tolerated him. He’s into all that macho crap. The buddy stuff disappeared fast after I passed the detective exam and he flunked. He claims I got special treatment because my dad was once chief. He barely studied and then said he couldn’t pass because of the burden of wife and kids."
“He envies you. Why are you telling me this?”
“Probably shouldn’t. I just wanted you to know, if you run into him, he's not on the case.”
She could tell he was warming up to her. She liked this guy letting down his guard and throwing out some personal information, not afraid of appearing vulnerable. That earned him a couple more points. “Are you saying there’s a patrol cop running around that you can’t control, and he might try to play detective and approach me?”
“He’s a sergeant now, has a lot of freedom. It’s just a tip. All I’m saying is you’re free to ignore him. Forget I said anything.”
“I’ll spot him if he follows me. What’s he driving?”
“A blue and white, but watch out for his personal vehicle, a red Ford pickup with a large orange and blue ‘Gator Nation’ decal on the back window.”
“Hey, I’ve seen that truck parked outside my apartment, Raymond’s apartment. I saw it and wondered what the hell ‘Gator Nation’ meant. Is that your school?”
“No, Florida State. When did you see his truck?”
“Don’t remember now, but I know I’ve seen it.” Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “Why was it there? You two better not be running some kind of police game on me.”
“No game. Huress has nothing to do with this case. I’ll look into it.”
“I’m dead serious about getting info to free my brother. This smells like a tag team to me. I really don’t like this! Are you tracking me? I demand to know right now why a cop was parked outside my apartment in his personal vehicle.”
“I know you’re serious. I said I’d look into it.” He paused for another sip and then his voice took on an official tone. “Jerry Kagan told me he hired you as his investigator.”
“What difference does that make?”
“It’s easier for me if you’re officially on the case. Otherwise, it looks like I’m just being cozy with the defendant’s sister. Since I can’t question your brother directly without his attorney being present, I don’t want to be accused of tricking his sister into spilling info.”
“Got it. You’re now officially off the hook. If the new investigator for the defense screws up it’s not your problem.”
“You could really foul up your brother’s defense by talking to me. I want to be certain we understand each other; starting now, consider yourself fair game. I don’t intend to tell you anything about the investigation, and whatever you tell me I’ll definitely use if I can, and will testify to in court.”
“Seems fair to me, what’s your problem?”
He shook his head. “You are a puzzle.”
“The world isn't ready for the unpuzzled me.”
“Maybe you don’t want anyone to understand you.”
“I haven't met anyone that can. So, I guess you’ve figured out that you don’t have any choice but to deal with me.” She gave him a nice smile to take the edge off that pronouncement.
He frowned. “So you’re going for our arrangement?”
She continued, “If you’re asking for cooperation, sure I’ll do that. I need to be able to communicate with the opposition. You just have to listen. If you’re on the wrong track, then it might help your investigation. Just stay off my back.”
“Okay, I won’t bother you unless you start acting crazy. I can use some cooperation right now. If I’m reading you correctly I can make statements like that without you laughing.”
“Keep being honest like that and I won’t laugh.” She felt she was getting somewhere. “You called me here because you need my help.”
“Maybe, don’t know enough about you. Don’t know whether to trust you or not. You said your job in Philadelphia puts you in contact with the police. So, I suppose you know your way around attorneys and judges and courtrooms and cops and even criminals.”
“All of the above.”
“Good, so you’re probably savvy with the dos and don’ts. I phoned the Chief of Detectives in Philadelphia. He said you’re okay.”
“I’m thrilled at the thought.”
“Hey look, don’t let your wisecracks get in the way of our understanding each other. I’m trying to get you pegged. You’ve made it clear I must deal with you, and I’m trying to figure out if I can live with that.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll behave. I have no idea who the Chief of Detectives is, but I’m glad I received no bad reports.”
“That’s better. So, you’re like a semi-pro in this business. Now I see why you hustled down here when your brother had a problem.”
“He didn’t have a problem until he met you. I suppose you’d never ask for help from me if you thought my brother was guilty, right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Well, you’ll get absolutely no help from me unless you’re buying this coffee. I have my principles.”
“You’re tough. Okay, I’ll assume you know how to dig for the bits and pieces that could help both of us. To start with, I need to find out about the Jardin Café, something beyond public records, something beyond common knowledge.”
“Ah, the Norma Martin angle, tell me more.”
“Nope.”
She struck a pose with one hand on her hip and stared at him.
“You have to let me be a cop.”
She shrugged and took a notebook from her purse. “It’s owned by MoonGlow Enterprises, a Delaware Partnership.”
“Thanks a lot, but anyone can Google that.”
“Well, they don’t make it easy to dig down to the true owners. I work with a gal at our firm in Philly who specializes in uncovering such information. That is I used to work with her, I might not have a job anymore. Anyway, I’ve already phoned and given her that business name. She’s checking it out. I’ll get back to you.”
“Excellent. Can I ask something else of you? I’d prefer you not interview Towson’s seventh floor neighbor, at least not yet.”
She wasn’t aware Towson had a seventh floor neighbor. She bluffed, "Well, I don’t know if I can promise that, why not?”
“She’s old and deaf to start with, Mrs. Crawford. She witnessed people coming and going that day, and I don’t want to get her more confused than she already is. I’m afraid if you talk to her, later she might even identify you as the killer.”
She didn’t laugh. “So, it was a woman she saw?”
“Oh, you’re fast. Come on, I didn’t say that.”
“It was on your mind. Admit it now. You’ve an unidentified woman on your mind, or you wouldn’t have put me in your little joke.”
“Do you read tea leaves too?”
“Yes, but I’m better at men. You realize, of course, that Mrs. Crawford will tell me things she’d never tell you.”
“Perhaps you’re right but stay away for now. Maybe I can use that angle later.”
“You mean maybe we can use that angle later.”
“Don’t get presumptuous, Sandy. We aren’t working this case together. I’ll welcome your input as long as you don’t become a loose cannon. Do you know how far I’m sticking my neck out just talking with you? Moran would love to catch me smiling at you.”
“You’re right. Go do your cop thing. Do I detect a hint of animosity between you and the state attorney?”