Her Final Watch (A Detective Blanchette Mystery Book 2)

by Marguerite Ashton

  “I couldn’t find anything about the expected drug deal that Ibee wanted Ariel to wait for. And I didn’t come across a flash drive.”

  “The drugs…Gus said that Liam was lead in the operation. He was DEA and had been there longer than Ariel.”

  Evan said, “There was a video. Alec and I tried viewing it, but it was too grainy. We saw two people. The one that caught our attention was the woman.”

  “Does the woman look like Ariel?”

  “Pretty damn close. It’s the person she’s with that we’re having trouble identifying.”

  “Send it to Madison and have the crime lab take a look at it. It’s all we’ve got to go on. But we’re still missing something.” Lily walked over to her desk and opened up the case file. “Let’s think about this. Diamond told me that a man named Dan was the last person seen with Ariel. We’ve got Dan’s Tahoe connected to the hit and run on Diamond.”

  Jeremiah said, “But he loaned it to Mikey.”

  Lily said, “Mikey didn’t claim he was never in the car. But I think he’s telling the truth. The crime scene techs didn’t find any usable prints in the Tahoe. So we don’t have anything tangible that points to Mikey.”

  Jeremiah continued to go through the pictures. “That’s a load of crap. Mikey’s not telling everything.”

  “We already know that Mikey isn’t telling us everything. Although I don’t believe he killed Diamond or the others.”

  “C’mon,” Jeremiah said, turning around in his chair. “Everything points to the Suraces. Our two undercovers were a threat to them. So was our latest victim. She knew that Ariel was a cop from the beginning. Then there’s Venus. She was going to testify.

  “You said so yourself they’ve got enough power to order a hit. Even if Mikey didn’t kill them, I can bet you he gave the order.”

  “You’re not listening.”

  “I’m listening. But the facts are what count here.”

  “The facts are that we have no way of linking Mikey to the killing to the murders. The only thing we have is a domestic abuse charge which may end up being deferred. Mikey’s a cold blooded killer. The majority of hit men use guns, not a dog collar.” Lily reached into her drawer and pulled out a chain like the one found on Ariel. “In order to kill someone with a choke chain, you have to be up close and personal.” She linked the chain and snapped it into place. “The killer wanted to hear his victims take their last breaths. Yes, our vics were a threat, but Mikey admitted to being in Kyle’s apartment. Why not kill Diamond then?”

  Alec pointed to the chain. “Do you like, keep that stashed away in your drawer? Cause if it’s a kinky sex thing, I figured I’d better ask Evan for some pointers.”

  Jeremiah smiled.

  “You would.” Lily put it away. “Anyway, this person wanted them dead. What I want to know is why? It can’t be for the obvious reason we were led to believe.”

  Evan said, “Then there’s Kyle. Shot in his own home.”

  “Exactly.” Lily’s eyes drifted toward Alec. “Get in touch with the investigator in charge of the Lake Koshkonong case and see if he’ll let us compare notes. We’re looking for anything about her clients.”

  “Got it.”

  “Seeing as Venus was strangled in the same manner two days before Ariel, my feeling is that there’s a connection out there. We just need to find it.” Lily let out a heavy sigh.

  Evan asked, “What about the missing flash drive?”

  “Brian has it or at least knows where Ariel put it. In the beginning, he wasn’t forthcoming with all of the information. Like the letters. I’m thinking he knew all this time.”

  “Do you believe that bit about Brian not knowing who to trust?” Evan wondered.

  Lily closed the case file. “I’ve had my suspicions. I’m going to give Brian a call.”

  “And if he doesn’t have it?” Evan asked.

  “We’re going to keep looking for it.” Lily picked up her desk phone and tapped the numbers on the keypad. Brian’s line ringed four times before it went to voicemail. She left a brief message and hung up. “I’ll try again in a bit.” She hung up the phone and picked it up again. “I need Detective Keys’ expertise on our little situation.”

  “This is Keys.”

  “It’s Lily. There’s a picture of a flash drive and I believe it may have a list of contacts on it. But I’m not sure what source this list of contacts was derived from.”

  Keys said, “The contacts are probably in Ariel’s phone.”

  “If she transferred a contact list to her phone using Bluetooth, then saved it to a flash drive, is it possible that it’s still on her cell?”

  “I’m assuming you’re talking about the unknown file I found on the hard drive. Check your email. I sent you a file. It includes the contents of a second contact list and photos that appear to be a Bluetooth transfer from a different phone with a different operating system.”

  Lily sat down at her desk and followed Detective Keys directions.

  Eighty-three contacts.

  “The fun part will be separating Ariel’s contacts from the target’s list of people.”

  “I’m sorry there’s no easier way to sort through the files,” Keys said. “I think if our Intelligence Department came up with a policy about using department issued phones for personal use, like personal pictures, it’d eliminate a lot of the confusion.”

  “What confusion?”

  “It’s just my opinion, but since the hype of cell phone technology, cops rarely report over the radio. So the majority of them will use their mobile phones to record or take pictures of crime scenes, only to turn around and film a family celebration, not realizing it could affect the credibility of their case. I don’t think Ariel though that when she took the picture. I guess I’m just old-fashioned.”

  “Keys, what picture?”

  “The one of Ariel’s husband. Or at least I assumed it was her husband. I met Brian at Ariel’s graduation. My nephew and Ariel graduated the same year. It’s photo number 744.”

  Lily searched through the photos until she came upon the one she was looking for. There was Brian, sitting at a bar among other customers.

  What bar are you at Brian? She zoomed in and zoomed out. “This was taken from a distance.”

  “I wonder if he knew it was being taken. He looks upset.”

  “Yes. He does. I’ll look into it more.” Lily printed out the photo. “Thanks, Keys.”

  “Anytime.”

  *

  10:07 a.m.

  “Will there be anything else, Mrs. Blanchette?”

  “You can stay, Ronnie,” Deena said, opening her safe deposit box. She placed the folded documents into the box, closed it and locked it. “I’m doing something special for Lily, so I’d rather not have her know I was here.”

  The silver-haired banker Deena had known for years returned the safe deposit box to its place in the vault. “Of course, Mrs. Blanchette.”

  Deena left the bank and stepped out into the chilly breeze. She knew there would be a day when she would have to face Lily and explain why she had kept everything a secret for so long, but it needed to be on her own terms. Not someone else’s.

  Haley was a loose cannon, and when she exploded, Deena wanted to make sure that her bases were covered. Deena’s trip to the bank had done just that.

  *

  An hour later, Deena slid down into the claw foot tub of hot water and stared at the steam rising upward. She lathered up the washcloth, dragged it towards her upper body and placed it over her breast. She raised her arm and applied gentle pressure on the spot where she’d felt the knot.

  She flinched. Her vision clouded as the tears stung her lids. The lump in her breast felt like she’d grazed over a rock buried underneath her skin.

  She slammed her fist into the water, splashing into her face and along the wall. This couldn’t be happening.

  Was this it? Was this the way she was going to die? She’d practiced a handful of healthy ways of eati
ng and exercise. What had she done to deserve this?

  Tons of reasons to defy her pending health problem loomed before her. But she reflected back on the time when she gave birth to her girls; holding them in the crook of her arms as they cooed and squeezed her pinkie finger for security. Her precious girls.

  One of her girls was pregnant with her first grandbaby and so many things hung in the balance. There was nothing she could do to make all of the bad things go away.

  She choked back the remaining tears that fought to break free.

  Then a moment of determination set in. Deena wanted to be around to see another Christmas. If things worked out for Lily, she’d be able to spoil her grandchild and place an array of gifts under the tree and watch as the little one tore at the ribbons and wrapping paper.

  She sat up in the water and took a deep breath. I’ll keep my doctor’s appointment, tomorrow, but no one will know about this until I’m ready to tell them.

  Chapter 18

  Time ticked away as Lily waited impatiently for Alec to come back with the comparison notes from Jefferson County. What she had managed to gather in last the last two hours was more than enough for her and Jeremiah to go in and interview Dan Ligelli.

  At least Dan had kept his promise and arrived down at the station twenty minutes after twelve.

  “Dan, from this point forward, I need you to be completely honest with me.” Lily said.

  “I have nothing to hide.”

  Dan was connected to the Suraces. She needed to find out if his connection was more business, on the surface, or if he was in the thick of everything. You don’t loan a person your car just because. Mikey had his own SUV and money to get another one if he wanted. Earlier today you told us that you ran an errand on the day Diamond’s car was struck. Which route did you take to go to Madison?”

  “Lake Mills.”

  Lily said, “To get to Madison through Lake Mills you’d have to take Highway 89 to I-94.”

  Dan nodded.

  “Were you coming from Fort?

  “Yes.”

  “What side of town?”

  Dan shifted in his chair. “The south side.”

  “Help me understand something. Why go out of the way and impede what was already a thirty-five minute drive? You live on Banker Road. So instead of taking Highway 12, which is a straight shot, you took a different route that’s ten minutes out of the way.”

  “Uh, well, since you put it that way, yes.”

  “You said you knew Diamond Reese.” Lily studied Dan’s face as his expression hardened. “How well did you know her?”

  “She was my escort on a couple of important business meetings out of town. That was it. In my position, I have to attend a lot of seminars, dinners, and conferences. I prefer to do it with a beautiful woman on my arm. When Diamond was made manager of the club, she was no longer allowed to join me. So that’s when she suggested another lady.”

  “Jasmine Brooks?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jasmine was an alias. Her real name was Ariel. She was an undercover cop investigating the club and was found murdered near the Rock River. Were you with her on December eleventh?”

  “Not that I can recall.”

  “Do you recall taking pictures with Ariel anytime during your dates?”

  “I’m sure there are probably some pictures of us together having a good time.”

  “Let me stimulate your memory.” Lily slid the images of Dan, Ariel and Diamond. “It’s official, you were with both women. The photo of the three of you was taken the night of Ariel’s murder.”

  “She was alive when I left.”

  “Are you on the arranged date set up by the club?”

  Dan leaned forward. “The one with Ariel was taken during a luncheon. This one of the three of us was taken at an awards ceremony. Diamond joined us later on that evening. It was only supposed to be Ariel and me. Twice, Diamond and Ariel wandered off and didn’t come back for ten, fifteen minutes.”

  “So you’re on the dates set up by On the Edge?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What’s the price for the lady of your choice?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with paying someone to go on a date.”

  “What’s the price, Dan?”

  “One-fifty to two hundred an hour.”

  Lily glanced at Jeremiah.

  Jeremiah placed his arms on the table and said, “From one guy to another, if I had paid that much money for a pretty woman, I’d be pissed if she wasn’t with me every second of that hour. Were you mad at Ariel?”

  “I was upset but not enough to hurt either woman.” Dan looked at his watch. “I need to get back to work. Can I go?”

  “After you help me with something,” Lily said. “I noticed the cigar cutter you were holding this morning. It looked antique and reminded me of the guillotine style.”

  “You’re right. I collect them. I’m shocked. I don’t know too many women who smoke cigars.”

  “I know several, but they prefer the flavored cigars over the type of body it has. My dad used to smoke. He had a cutter similar to the one you had at work.” Lily reached into her breast pocket and showed Dan.

  “That’s called good taste. I’m a collector of all things antique.”

  “Me too. I noticed your oil paintings in the hall. I own a beautiful one of Dorothy Quincy Hancock—I admired her ability to stay strong during the toughest times in her life. People like you and I who collect more than one particular item have a fondness for these things … flaunting it is almost as important.

  “I’m curious to know; can someone really enjoy collecting cigars, have artwork about consuming the cigar, but not experience the aroma of a cigar?”

  “I think it depends on the person.”

  “I think you’re hiding something. Back in your office, I’d gotten a whiff of cigar smoke from your clothes as you shook hands with my partner.”

  “I have friends who smoke.”

  “A cigar was found at the scene. Would you be comfortable letting my partner and I having a look around your home?”

  “Anytime. I think you should know that I have a smoking room.”

  Of course you do. “Thanks for coming down.”

  Jeremiah stood. “You’ve been helpful. Should we use your mobile or work number to contact you in case we have more questions?”

  “Mobile.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Jeremiah said, opening the door.

  *

  3:29 p.m.

  Three hours later, Lily and Jeremiah stood in the doorway of Dan Ligelli’s smoke room as Dan flipped on the lights, revealing an area decorated with dark paneled walls, recliners, and two big screen televisions. On the opposite wall, pictures of baseball legends held in worn frames were displayed several feet from the pool table.

  Every cigar memento had its place. The room was spotless.

  “No longer than ten minutes. I’m having a dinner with a special client and I can’t be late.”

  “Mind if we do a thorough search?” Jeremiah asked, walking into the room.

  “As long as it’s done in ten minutes. I’ll be watching you from my webcam behind the bar.” Dan left the room.

  Jeremiah mumbled under his breath. “This right here is a man cave. I want one just like it.”

  “I thought you’re trying to quit smoking.” Lily opened and closed the drawers.

  Jeremiah slid his hands underneath the cushions of the recliners. “It’s not easy.”

  Lily moved toward the bar and stepped behind it. She didn’t want to go through the entire room. She came here for one thing; a cigar to compare to the one found at the crime scene. “As a smoker, did you prefer one brand of cigarettes over the other? Or did you puff on whatever was available?”

  “Before they jacked up the prices, I was a one brand man,” he said, walking over to the bar. “Why?”

  Lily remembered a discussion she had with her dad outside McGinley’s during her academy graduation party.
She watched as her father removed the label from the cigar and placed it into the ashtray. “Why’d you wait until now to remove the wrapper if you’re done with the cigar?”

  ‘“You can ruin a good cigar if you remove it too early. And a man who loves his cigars enjoys showing off his preferred brand.”’

  Lily drifted along the length of the bar, stopping at the gun dispensers. Another guillotine cigar cutter, along with match strikers and an ashtray sat at the end of the bar. “If Dan was a devoted collector of cigars as he claimed, then there should be more than just one brand in his humidor. But a real smoker has their preferences. And I’m hoping that Dan is a person with cravings for a particular brand.” She tipped the empty ashtray toward her.

  Clean. As if it had never been used. Lily stared at the ashtray a few seconds longer.

  There was a strong possibility that instead of going back to work, Dan stopped by his house and straightened up. If Dan was at the crime scene, had he realized that he dropped one of his cigars?

  A man who’s guilty probably wouldn’t allow cops into his home without a warrant. Unless he was trying to prove a point or throw them off track. While none of it made any sense, Lily wanted to quell her curiosity and follow her instinct. I need a used cigar and to take a peek inside the humidor.

  Lily stepped back, clicked on her flashlight and flashed the beam underneath the bar until it landed on a stainless steel trash can. She bent over and reached inside, sliding her hand past several bottles. Glass clanged in Lily’s ears as she stretched her fingers further into the upper corner of the bin and tried to secure a hold on a circular object.

  She grabbed it, pulled it out, and looked at the tip of a cigar.

  Jeremiah said, “Looks like it’s been smoked.”

  “Let’s just hope the crime lab can find a DNA match.” Lily held the cigar up to the camera and dropped her find into a bag. She scoured the rest of the belongings in Dan Ligelli’s smoke room, keeping in mind that she and her partner were being watched. If this case goes to court, every move they made could be called into question by the defense attorney.