by Marja McGraw
We hung up and I called Don Chase’s office. He’d left for Los Angeles over half an hour ago, so I knew he’d be arriving soon. What on earth could he have come up with?
I stuck my head in the office to let Stanley know I was going out. “Stan, I’m going over to Dolly’s. Be back in a while.” He waved over his shoulder, too engrossed in what he was doing to pay me much attention.
“Come on, pal.” I took Bubba and walked over to Dolly’s house. The dog bounded ahead of me, as much as a dog of his size can bound. He seemed to enjoy going anywhere I was willing to take him, and Dolly’s was special because she always had a treat for him. I figured he might cheer the girls up.
I knocked, and Dolly opened the door before I could put my hand back down at my side. Chrissy was sitting in the living room, looking nervous.
“Chrissy, Detective Chase will be here any minute. If there’s anything, and I mean anything, you haven’t told me, now’s the time. Have you left any detail out? Any detail at all?”
“I can’t think of a thing.” She crinkled up her face and appeared to be trying to remember.
“Okay, let’s go over this starting with the first time Frendd showed up in your basement. Tell me everything you can remember.”
Chrissy closed her eyes and thought for a moment, and opening them, she looked directly at me. A good sign. Most people won’t look you right in the eye if they’re lying. They’ll look at your forehead, over your shoulder, or anywhere they can to make it look like they’re being direct, but they’re not.
“After you left that first time, Tammi and I watched a kid’s show on TV, and then I put her to bed. I tried to read for a while, but I couldn’t concentrate. I kept thinking about how violated I felt because the bum had been in the house. So I went out to the back porch and moved the washer out of the way. It isn’t all that heavy when it’s empty.
“I went down to the basement and turned on the light, looking around. I didn’t stay long because it made me too nervous, and I kept thinking he’d come back. I was checking to see if there was any way to seal off that window.”
“And after that night?” I prodded.
“Well, you already know everything that happened the night he was killed. For the life of me, I can’t think what new information that detective could have come up with.”
“Okay, let’s go back to the first time. What did you do while you were in the basement? I mean besides checking out the window.”
“Nothing. I took a good look out the window because I wanted to be sure the bum wasn’t around. Oh, and I was going to throw that vodka bottle away, but I heard the phone ringing and left the basement in a hurry. It was awfully creepy down there anyway and I was glad to go back upstairs.”
“Chrissy, did you throw the bottle away?”
“Well, now that I think about it, no. I set it down when I went back upstairs. Does it matter?”
“It could.” I had a feeling I knew what the detective’s new information was. I’d have to wait to find out, but not for long. I heard a car pull up out in front, and I knew our guest had arrived. I met him at the door.
“Oh. You’re here.” He didn’t seem too happy to see me.
“It’s good to see you, too, Detective Chase.” My sarcasm wasn’t wasted on him.
“Sorry. I didn’t expect to see you. Did Mrs. Knight call you?”
“Yes, she did. You might recall that I live next door.”
“I see. May I come in?” I hadn’t moved out of the doorway to let him enter the house, on purpose. I wanted to keep the upper hand this time.
“Please do. We’re anxious to hear what your new information is. Have a seat,” I said, directing him into the living room.
He sat on the edge of the chair while he spoke to Chrissy. “Mrs. Knight, we’ve found your fingerprints all over the basement. I realize it’s your home, and that’s to be expected. However, your prints are on the window frame. We also found a second vodka bottle outside the window with more of your prints on it. Can you explain this?”
“Yes, she can – ”
He interrupted me and put me in my place. “I’d like Mrs. Knight to answer the question. If you don’t mind.” His tone was as sarcastic as mine had been.
“Now, Mrs. Knight, can you explain your prints on the window frame and the bottle?” He watched her closely while she answered him.
“The first time he was in my basement he left the bottle behind. After he was gone, I went down to the basement to look around. I had my hands on the window frame while I checked to make sure he wasn’t still there.”
“All right, that explains those prints. Now what about the bottle?” He leaned forward, slightly, and watched her even closer.
“I picked up the bottle. I was going to throw it away. I didn’t want any trace of him in my home.”
“If you picked it up to throw it away, why was it still around the house?” He apparently thought he was going to trip her up.
“Because the phone began to ring and I set it down. After I took the call, I decided I didn’t want to go back down there, so I closed the door and moved the washing machine back into place.”
“Okay. That’s all I wanted to know. I figured there might be a logical explanation, but I had to ask.”
“That’s it? You drove all the way into L.A. and scared these women for that?” I knew there had to be another reason.
Dolly couldn’t hold her peace anymore. “You don’t honestly think my granddaughter committed a murder, do you? What’s the matter with you people? She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Detective Chase sat back in his chair, an odd expression on his face. His gaze traveled past me to my right. I glanced over and saw Bubba grinning at him.
“Whose animal is that?”
“Mine.” I grinned right along with Bubba.
“Figures. Why’s he snarling at me?”
“He’s not. He’s smiling at you.”
“Is he, uh, friendly? I mean, he’s not going to attack, is he?” The detective sat motionless and talked softly.
“Not unless you move suddenly.” I couldn’t help it. I had to tease the man. He deserved it.
“Oh.” He continued to sit very still.
I figured I’d better set the record straight before he reached for his revolver. “Only joking, Detective. He’s as friendly as they come, as long as you don’t appear aggressive toward me. Stick out your fist and let him sniff.”
The man thought that over for a moment before inching his fist in Bubba’s direction. “Good boy. I like Sandi.”
I thought Chase might have been embarrassed when I started to laugh. “You like me? Really? Could have fooled me.”
Bubba sniffed Don’s hand and wagged his tail, waiting to be petted. Don obliged and grinned at my canine sweetie. “Yes, Sandi, I think you’re okay. Prove me right, huh?”
“Trust me, Don. Have you had your lunch yet? I’d like to talk to you, and I’m getting hungry.”
“No, I haven’t eaten. My wife made me a lunch, but I left it at the office. Can’t get that woman to understand that I don’t want a sack lunch.”
“There’s a diner not far from my office. The food’s pretty good, and they’ve got homemade desserts. I’ll even pick up the check. We can talk about the case.”
He scratched his chin. “Okay, I guess I can live with that.”
Dolly agreed to keep Bubba at her house so he wouldn’t bother Stanley while he worked. Don followed me to the diner because he wanted to head straight back to Covina after we ate.
When we were seated I asked him why he’d driven into Los Angeles. He could have talked to Chrissy over the phone.
“I like to watch people when I ask them questions. You can tell a lot from their faces and body language. And don’t forget, her fingerprints were in places I didn’t think they should be.” He paused. “I also used it as an excuse to get out of the office. Sometimes I need to get away.”
“Understandable. I like a face-to-face conver
sation, too. You’re right, you can learn a lot about a person from watching them.”
“So what do you want to talk about?” Don glanced at the menu and closed it quickly, apparently knowing exactly what he wanted. I didn’t even open mine. Pete and I ate at the diner so often that I practically had the menu memorized.
The waitress, Lilly, approached our table and asked what we’d like. Don ordered a hamburger with everything and I asked for a chef’s salad.
“Don’t you ever get tired of the salad?” Lilly asked. “I mean, I know it’s good, but – ”
“Just bring it,” I said. She was teasing, but I knew she was also using the extra moments to check Chase out.
As soon as she left, Chase said, “So?” He watched me from across the table.
“So what? Oh. You want to know why I need to talk to you.”
“Yeah, I can tell there’s something on your mind.”
“There is. Have you talked to Doug Wilson again? He agreed to meet with me, but now he’s avoiding me. Something doesn’t seem quite right about him. He left me a note saying that his wife was sick and he had to take her to see the doctor, but it still doesn’t feel right. Last night I drove over there, and he was home, but he wouldn’t answer the door.”
“Did you happen to think he might want to be left alone? Or that his wife may actually be ill?” Chase tapped his fingers on the table.
“Then why did he agree to talk with me? I’ve met him before, and he’s a nosey neighbor. It would be his nature to get involved. Judging by what I’ve seen of him, he’d want to know all the juicy details.”
“I can’t answer that question for you. Anything else, Sandi?”
“I met with Ted Majors last night. You know, Chrissy’s boyfriend. He doesn’t have an alibi for the time of the murder, and there’s always the possibility he was trying to protect Chrissy.”
“We’re already on top of that one. I’ve got someone checking him out right now. Is that it?” He tipped his head to the side and waited. Was he humoring me?
“That’s about it. I said I’d tell you anything I found out, and I thought you might be interested in those two things.”
“I am. We’ve already talked to Doug Wilson. There’s nothing to indicate he’s involved in the murder. As far as Ted, well, we’ll have to wait for more information. And we’ve been talking to other neighbors, too. No one seems to know a thing.”
“I’m not surprised. Chrissy lives on a busy main street in an old house. It’s not like the neighbors meet across the back fence.” I wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know, but I was trying to put my own thoughts together.
“So what’s next, Sandi? Any plan of attack?”
“Pssssst. Sandi!” I glanced up to find Lilly standing next to the table. She was whispering, trying to get my attention, while watching the front of the restaurant.
“What?”
“There’s a guy at the cashier’s desk trying to rob us.”
Chapter Forty-nine
“Does he have a gun?” Chase asked.
“I couldn’t see one, but he’s got his hand in his pocket, acting like he’s got a gun. When I heard him say it was a robbery, I hightailed it back here. He didn’t know I heard him – he didn’t see me. And I know Sandi’s a P.I., so I figured she could help us.”
I was facing the front of the restaurant and I saw the crook shove a lunch-sized paper sack at Gretchen, the cashier. She opened the cash register and pulled out the tray, trying to pour the money into the sack. Most of it fell on the floor. I could see the guy motioning for her to pick it up. He looked agitated. People were eating and talking, and no one had a clue what was going on. He tried to shield Gretchen so no one could see what was happening.
We were whispering, and I quickly turned away when the crook glanced around the diner.
“Sandi, see if you can distract him,” Chase said.
“Are you nuts? He might have a gun, and I’m not armed.”
“I didn’t say to take him, just distract him.”
The waitress gave me a disgusted look and turned to another table across the aisle, yelling at a man who was quietly eating his lunch. “You’re not going to stiff me on your check again, buster.” The man looked at her as though she’d lost her mind. “Once was enough. I remember your face, all right.”
“But – ” He tried to say something but we cut him off.
Following her lead, I stepped over to the table and jumped into the middle of it. “Hey! What’s the matter with people, trying to cheat a poor, underpaid waitress? Give her the money you owe her, pal. And you’d better leave her a big tip, too!”
I’d seen Chase slide out of the booth and crouch as the waitress began yelling. He was moving past the other booths and duck-walking toward the cashier, gun in hand. Lilly and I had everyone’s attention, even the crook’s.
“It’s creeps like you that make me want to puke,” Lilly said. She was still yelling, and the poor man at the table was embarrassed. His face was bright red.
“But – ” He was still trying to defend himself, but we didn’t let him speak.
I slid in across from the man, facing the front of the diner. “You’re not leavin’, pal, until you clear this up.”
He glanced at me and started to shake. He must have thought we were both crazy. He slid out of the booth and turned to run, but Lilly blocked his way. He changed directions and ran toward the back of the diner and into the men’s room, a good move because it further distracted the crook and gave Chase a chance to come up behind him.
Chase stuck his gun in the guy’s back and told him he was a cop and to put his hands in the air. The crook’s shoulders tightened, but he complied without a hitch. Chase patted him down, looking for a gun. Not finding one, he pulled one hand down and behind the guy’s back and attached a cuff, then did the same with the other hand.
It was over. The cashier tearfully called the police while Lilly and I headed for the men’s room. The customer had locked himself in and wouldn’t come out. We had to yell through the door to try to convince him we hadn’t meant any harm.
He finally opened the door when Lilly said, “Your lunch is free, and I swear if you ever come back in here, you’ll never have to pay for another meal again.”
After the police took the crook away, Chase and I returned to our table where he chewed on his lukewarm burger while I nibbled on my salad.
“I’m sorry, Don. I didn’t react as quickly as I should have, but I wasn’t expecting you to ask me to distract the guy.”
He was quiet for a moment. “No, you didn’t react fast enough, but you did come around. It could have been worse. And, Sandi, in all fairness, you’re not a trained police officer. I shouldn’t have tried to drag you into it.”
I was embarrassed. Couldn’t help it. “Lilly is something, isn’t she? She handled herself better than I did.”
“So, before all this happened, I was asking you what your next move is,” Chase reminded me. I was glad he changed the subject.
“I still want to talk to Doug. Call it a gut feeling, or call it women’s intuition, but there’s more there than meets the eye. I’m going to drive out to his place this afternoon and catch him when he comes home from work.”
“Stubborn, aren’t you?” Chase smiled. I could see he was beginning to relax with me. The fact that we were on my turf instead of his was a plus for me, and it also didn’t hurt that he’d just stopped a robbery. He was feeling good about himself and maybe a little generous toward me.
“Just gotta go with what I feel. And I feel there’s more to this story than anyone can see.”
“So where’s your office from here?” Chase asked. “Didn’t you say this diner was near your place?”
“Yeah, it’s a few blocks north of here. I’m afraid I haven’t spent much time there over the past week. Which is another reason I want to get this cleared up. I won’t be able to concentrate on my other cases until we get this figured out.”
; “What’s this we stuff?”
I sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. Remember, I told you not to get in my way. You don’t belong in the middle of this investigation.”
“I thought you said the Sheriff’s Office would probably take the case over because of Paley’s involvement.”
“The way things have worked out, they’ve got more than they can handle right now. We’re going to stay on this one regardless of Paley.”
Apparently Chase’s appetite had returned. He swallowed the last bite of hamburger and pulled out his wallet.
“Like I said earlier, this is my treat. Put the wallet away.” I wanted to pay for lunch because of my slow-witted response to the robbery attempt. I felt like I needed to start redeeming myself in Chase’s eyes. Waving at Lilly, I asked for the bill.
“It’s on the house today,” she said. “You two earned it.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I said. “Lilly, you’re the one who took care of business.”
“Nah, not really.” She giggled. “I couldn’t have kept it up if you hadn’t helped me out. That poor guy I was yellin’ at was scared out of his wits. He was breakin’ my poor little heart. I was starting to want to hug him and tell him it was all a big fat joke.”
I left Lilly a major tip before leaving the diner. She deserved it.
“Let me know if you find out anything, Sandi. I’ll still be in the office this evening.” Chase waved and headed for his car, ready to go home to Covina.
I waved back and climbed into my car, also heading home. I’d have enough time to check on Stanley and see if Dolly would feed Bubba for me before heading in the same direction as Chase.
I pulled up in front of the house and found Stanley sitting on the porch. He watched me, using his hand to shade his eyes.
“What’re you doing out here? Oh, no, don’t tell me something else has happened.”
“No, Sandi. It’s been as quiet as a church. I’m simply taking a short break.”
“Thank goodness. I was afraid you’d heard noises again. You know, I nailed a board up over that window. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, can get in now. So how much more are you going to try to get done today?” I walked inside the house with Stanley trailing behind while we talked.