“My God, who…?”
“Either he was attacked by the Flasher or by someone who thought he was the Flasher. That’s the working theory, anyhow.”
Mitch’s sleeping loft wasn’t wired for electricity. He struck a match to light the oil lantern. She promptly blew it out.
“Don’t you want to talk about this?”
“I’m all talked out,” she replied. “Until nine a.m., which is when I’ll be getting my head chewed off by my barracks commander.”
“Why will Rundle be pissed at you?”
“Because I was tailing Augie when it went down. Hell, I was practically on top of the crime scene. And I had that public scene with him on Friday.”
“They don’t think you killed him, do they?”
“There are some people around town who definitely will.”
“Which people?”
“The ones who want me gone. Don’t approve of me.”
“Like First Selectman Bob Paffin, for instance?”
“Well, yes, now that you mention it.” She snuggled against him, hugging him tight. “Or do you think I’m being a paranoid nut job?”
“When I was growing up my parents used to tell me that there were people out there who hated us on spec-simply for being Jews. I didn’t think they were nut jobs. And I don’t think you are. In fact, I know you’re not.”
“Rundle will probably chain me to a desk until the case is closed.”
“All because you were out there doing your job tonight?”
“Basically. The good news is that Soave and Yolie are on it.”
“Not to worry then. They’ll figure out who killed Augie. Or I should say Yolie will. Mr. Potato Head will just puff and preen and say dorky things.” Mitch had reciprocal warm, fuzzy feelings for Rico. He cradled her face in his hands, his own face very close to hers. “Nobody who knows you-really knows you-will believe you had anything to do with it. And anyone who does think that, well, you’ll never win them over in a million years. So screw them.”
She caressed his cheek with hers, kissing him softly. “I don’t know what I’d do right now if I didn’t have you.”
“Now you know exactly how I feel every minute of every day.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“Luck had nothing to do with it, thinny. I chased after you.”
“Did not. I’m the one who chased after you.”
“I was just letting you think that. It was my play all of the way.”
“Armando…?”
“Hmmm-mmm…?”
“Go get the lavender oil.”
CHAPTER 9
“Four more, bro! Give me four!”
Mitch and Hal had the Dorset Fitness Center to themselves at eight o’clock on a Sunday morning. Hal was putting him through a punishing set of reps on the pressing bench. Mitch’s pecs and delts were popping, the sweat pouring off of him as Hal’s favorite music mix, which leaned heavily toward Metallica, blared from the sound system.
“Now give me two! Come on, pump it, pump it… That’s what I’m talking about!” he exulted as Mitch aced his final rep. “Okay, give yourself a ten-minute blow on the bike. You earned it.”
Gasping, Mitch climbed aboard a stationary bike and started pedaling.
Hal handed him a bottle of water, clearing his throat uneasily. “Listen, I’m real sorry about the way I lost it at Mrs. Breslauer’s cocktail party. I feel sick about it, bro. That badass stuff is so not me. I phoned Kimmy last night to apologize but she was so pissed she wouldn’t even talk about it. Which I totally understand. As soon as she walks in that door I’m going to quit. I really shouldn’t be working here.”
Mitch gulped down some water. “How come?”
“I’m not over her, that’s how come.”
“You two were involved?”
“No, never. Kimmy doesn’t believe in getting physical with anybody who she works with. That’s how she put it to me, anyhow. And I’ve been fine with it-until she met Kenny.”
“And now you’re not fine with it?”
Hal shook his head. “Bro, Kimmy’s the one. I’ve never, ever felt this way about a girl. I get my share of tail. That goes with the job. But it’s Kimmy who I really want. And I can’t have her. So I think I’d better move on.”
“Sorry to hear it, Hal. Where will you go?”
“There’s a decent club over in Old Saybrook. I can get some hours there.”
“That’s not exactly the same as managing this place. As a career move, I mean.”
“No, it’s not,” he allowed. “But it’ll be a whole lot better for my sanity.”
The front door of the fitness center opened and someone came in wearing chunky heels that clomped hard on the tile floor. A pit bull with jugs was how Des had once described Sergeant Yolie Snipes. Indeed, she was the fiercest-looking woman Mitch had ever known. Yolie’s inked up arms bulged out of her sleeveless top as she stood there at the reception desk, her cop’s eyes flicking around. Mitch called out to her, waving both arms in the air. She came on over.
“Hey there, sweet thing,” she exclaimed, a big smile creasing her street-hardened face. Chiefly, it was that one-inch box cutter scar across her cheek. It left no doubt that Yolie had lived the life. “Good to see you again.”
He climbed down off of the bike and gave her a hug. “Back at you. Pardon my sweat.”
She let out a huge laugh. “You kidding me? This is the best action I’ve had all year.” Her gleaming brown eyes looked him up and down. “Damn, boy, you are cut.”
“And I have this guy right here to thank-Hal Chapman, say hello to Sergeant Yolanda Snipes of the Major Crime Squad.”
Hal nodded to her, his manner noticeably guarded.
“How’s my girl doing this morning?” Yolie asked Mitch.
“She’s not happy.”
“Not to worry. We’ll close this one out in no time.”
“Speaking of we, where’s…?”
“On his way to the hospital. Tawny just went into labor-unless it’s a false alarm. She’s not due for another week. Chances are he’ll be back in a couple of hours. But if it’s the real deal then I’m flying solo until a new boss takes over.”
Translation: If she worked fast she had a chance to break the Augie Donatelli murder case on her own. Yolie Snipes wasn’t just hard-edged. She was ultra-ambitious.
“Nice gym you’ve got going on here, Hal,” she observed, glancing around. “I do my lifting in a stanky basement. Here you’ve got sunlight, a river view. I am loving this. Is Kimberly Farrell around?”
“Not yet. She’ll be in soon for her nine o’clock class.”
“Cool.” Yolie straddled a pressing bench, her thighs straining against the thin cotton of her tan slacks. “Okay if you and me talk while I wait for her?”
Hal shrugged his broad shoulders. “What about?”
“Last night’s beating death of Augie Donatelli. I understand you’re a potential witness.”
His eyes widened. “I am? How can that be?”
“You attended a cocktail party in a condo at the Captain Chadwick House earlier in the evening, didn’t you?”
“Well, yeah. Mitch was there, too. So?”
“So I need to account for your comings and goings afterward. That’s what they pay me for.”
“Uh… do I need a lawyer?”
“You always have a right to counsel. But if it was me, I wouldn’t bother. This is strictly routine stuff. Is there an office where we can talk?”
“Right here’s fine. Okay if my bro sits in?”
Yolie shot a glance over at Mitch. “In what capacity?”
“As a witness,” Hal answered.
She raised her chin an inch. “You need a witness?”
“Let’s just say I’ll feel more comfortable if someone else is around. You don’t mind, do you?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t mind.”
“Good deal.” Hal hunkered down on the bench next to hers, forearms resting on his knees. “What do you want to know?”
Yolie pulled a small notepad and pen from the back pocket of her slacks. “Where you were last night.”
“What time are we talking about?”
“Let’s say nine o’clock.”
“I was with someone,” Hal said, coloring slightly.
“I’ll need the lady’s name and phone number, hon.”