“There’s . . . no . . .”
“Toxin? Sure there is. Didn’t I tell you about my brother, the microbiologist? He’s spent his stupid life studying botulism. Finally got some use out of him.”
“If I . . . die . . . you . . . won’t . . .”
“Oh, I’ll find the money all right, don’t worry. It’d just go faster if you helped. Hell, you could save your useless life if you told me where you stashed it.”
A long silence. Casey looked at Theo, who was scowling.
“Think about my offer,” Darcy added. “I’ll be back for an answer in two hours.”
Mozart returned.
“Simone must have visited Marcus after that,” Theo said. “Just before Darcy came back.”
Casey gripped the arms of the chair. She was so angry she could barely get the words out.
“Darcy worked for you. Was this your idea?”
“I admit I wanted the money and assigned Darcy to help find it, for a commission. But I swear I didn’t want Marcus hurt. Darcy was simply supposed to follow Marcus and figure out where he might have hidden the cash.”
Why should she believe him?.
“With this evidence, we’ve got Darcy,” Theo continued. “I’ve been in touch with his brother, who said that some botulism bacterium was stolen from his lab about the time Darcy came to visit him.”
“Was there an antitoxin?”
“No.”
Casey rubbed her forehead. “How much does my mother know about this?”
“I don’t think Lillian ever knew whether the poisoning was accidental or deliberate,” Theo replied. “But she wouldn’t have confronted Darcy. She knows he has a temper, and if he had any reason to think she might betray him, she knew he’d hurt her.”
“I’d burn the money before I let Darcy get a single dime.” Casey popped the cassette out of the player. “I should phone Lalonde, see if he’s found the bastard.”
“If Darcy doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be.”
“Mother will lead them to him and she’s not so hard to pin down. All I have to do is tell her I found the cash and she’ll come running.”
“Have you?”
“No.” Interesting how quickly he asked the question. “What’s your next move?”
“Find Darcy. Once I tell him about the evidence, he’ll come after me for the tape, which is why I should store it in a safe place.”
“I’ll find the safe place.” She dropped the cassette in her purse. “But go ahead and tell Darcy you have it.”
“To prove I really am on your side, here.” Theo handed her the letter, sketch, and keys. “Be careful, Casey. With or without this evidence, Darcy’s not finished with you until he has the money.”
“I’m not finished with him either.” She opened the door. “What’ll you do with Darcy when he comes after you?”
“Turn him over to the police.” Theo stood. “I’ll let you know when that happens.”
Casey watched him leave. She sat there a few minutes, thinking about everything Theo had said and wondering if he really would go after Darcy. Finally, she stood and headed back to the waiting room where she found Barb slumped in a chair and looking haggard.
“I’m still waiting to see him,” Barb said. “Maybe you should go home.”
“I can’t.” Casey reached for her hand. “Not yet.”
She left the room and started to look for her phone until she remembered that it was probably still with Lou, or in his apartment. She’d have to find a public phone to call Rhonda. She’d need to call Stan, too, to let him know why she might be late for work tomorrow.
• • •
Casey didn’t know what time she fell asleep in the hospital’s alcove, but when she awoke, the clock on the wall showed five-thirty; a new day. With her ears ringing and a migraine forming, Casey shuffled back to the Sheckters’ waiting room. Chairs were occupied with sleeping people, many of whom she’d met at barbecues, Christmas parties, and weddings.
Barb smiled wearily at Casey and stepped out of the room. “I’ve seen him,” she murmured. “They took the bullet out and the doctor said he’s doing well.”
“Will he be okay?”
“They’re cautiously optimistic. The next twenty-four hours will tell the story.” She hugged Casey. “I have a good feeling about this, so please go home and get some sleep. I’ll call when you can visit.”
Casey didn’t move. How could she crawl into a comfy bed and leave Lou here?
“I’ll call, I promise,” Barb said.
She gave her another hug and then returned to her family, leaving Casey to wander down a corridor. A sign pointed to ICU straight ahead. Casey walked toward the unit. At the end of the corridor, the wide double doors identified Unit Four. Each door had a narrow pane of glass covered by a burgundy curtain. She tried to peer through the curtains.
“Can I help you?” a woman asked behind her.
Casey turned to find a nurse watching her with curiosity. “I have a friend in ICU, but I’m not sure which room. His name’s Lou Sheckter.”
“I’m afraid only family can visit patients here.”
“I know. His mom said Lou’s doing well. Is that still true?”
“He’s young and strong, that one.” The nurse patted Casey’s shoulder. “Hang in there.”
The nurse pushed a large button beside the entrance and walked between the opening doors that exposed beds and equipment. Curtains hid patients’ faces. She wanted to run inside and look for Lou; even took a step forward, but the doors closed. Reluctantly, Casey left.
At this time of morning, traffic was light and she was home in fifteen minutes. The whole neighborhood seemed at peace, as if nothing awful had happened here. Casey tiptoed through the quiet house, relieved that Rhonda wasn’t sitting here, expecting an update. She just didn’t have the energy to talk right now. In her apartment, she swallowed a couple of painkillers, shoved the sketch, letter, and cassette under her pillow, and then collapsed into bed.
Three hours later, the rumble of a muffler-less car woke her. Since her head didn’t hurt as much, she got up and called the hospital. All they would say was that Lou was still alive. Casey made herself a coffee, dialed Lalonde’s number, and got voice mail yet again. Why didn’t that man ever answer his damn phone?
“Detective, it’s Casey Holland. I’ve been given some evidence that proves my father was murdered three years ago, and I was wondering if you could come by to pick it up. The evidence makes it clear that Darcy Churcott killed Dad, so please call me.”
The sight of yesterday’s bloodstained shirt on the floor made her queasy. She needed to keep busy. Maybe talk to Mother about Dad’s murder. She found the business card Mother gave her and then dialed the number. No answer there either. She tried Mother’s work number and was informed by a receptionist that Mother wouldn’t be in today. Damn it. Was she home or not? One way or the other, she’d find out. Casey retrieved her lock pick set from the top of the fridge. Afraid to leave the evidence here, she shoved it all in her handbag.
Rhonda was sliding a sheet of cookies into the oven when Casey entered the kitchen.
“They’re chocolate chip, Lou’s favorite,” Rhonda said. “How is he?”
“I just called. He’s alive, but that’s all I know.”
“Are you going back to the hospital?”
“After I search Mother’s place.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, Rhonda, if a neighbor calls the police or Darcy’s there, we could be in serious trouble. Summer needs you safe here. How’s she doing?”
“Still shaken about Lou. I told her she didn’t have to go to school today, but she wanted to.” Rhonda paused. “I explained what I could about Darcy to the principal. Staff will keep an eye on her and I’ll pick her up after school.”