Chasing Suspect Three

by Rod Hoisington

  “You were getting the standard ‘you’re boring me’ routine. She’s a teenage girl. Adults are either boring or cool—no one is in between. You’re lucky she showed up.”

  “I think she’s exceedingly sharp. She’s taking Algebra and was stumped by one of those word problems, you know, Train A leaves at a certain time going a certain speed and Train B leaves at yahta, yahta, yahta...and when do they meet? I explained and she caught on immediately. I told her I’d be happy to help with her French, as well. That brought out a tiny smile. We’re all going to drive over for an outing at Blue Cypress Lake this weekend.”

  “Then Nicola went to bed, and you and Judy talked until late about everything under the sun, didn’t’ you?”

  “As a matter of fact we did. How did you know?”

  “Marvelous, I couldn’t be happier for you. What’s happening today? Are you doing the surveillance bit we talked about?”

  “You bet. I’m sitting here in my car. This is a great spot you found in the municipal parking lot. I can look straight down the alley. No one is going to question me here. I can’t see the back door of the beauty spa, however I can see the rear of Claudia’s car. The alley’s one-way this way, so she has to come right toward me. What have you been up to?”

  “Just handling some personal things. Why don’t you stay there? I’ll come over in an hour or so, just need to grab a shower.”

  “A shower? I thought you were at the office.”

  Might as well tell him, he’d be happy for her. “I’m at Chip’s. I’ll see you in a bit.” She hung up before he was forced to come up with some awkward response.

  She looked in his closet and was pleased to find her brown jersey wrap dress. Whenever did she leave that there? It was in reasonable good shape. Fine to start the day. She should have been wearing it last night. It comes off in a hurry and doesn’t wrinkle when you throw it against the wall.

  Within the hour, she had parked her red convertible next to Martin’s black Lexus in the municipal parking lot. He got out and walked over to her just as her phone rang.

  Jaworski started right in, “My, my, my, aren’t you the busy one?”

  She motioned for Martin to get in beside her. “Eddy, I was going to phone you. You aren’t going to believe what I learned yesterday.”

  “Let me stop you right there. Lieutenant Triney at the sheriff’s office called. He wanted to give you a heads up. There’s a Deputy U.S. Marshal wandering around town with a criminal subpoena looking for you. You must have pissed off some very important person.”

  “The feds believe I’m withholding evidence.”

  “Are you?”

  “More or less.”

  “Now for the good news. I’ve been on the phone all morning with Agent Heppard. He’s a good man, don’t you think? I don’t know where to start. He said you gave him the true ID of the guy in our morgue. His name is actually Gerardo Diaz, but then you know that. The FBI searched his apartment in Hialeah. They found the murder weapon! You hear that?”

  That’s what she had been waiting to hear. “Fantastic, Eddy. Definitely linking that guy to the Larena murder absolutely had to happen.”

  He continued, “Yeah. They stormed the guy’s apartment and found four handguns. One was a .45 caliber automatic, the same type used to kill John Larena. I faxed down our ballistic report. The details match up. You found the killer, Sandy. We’re sending an officer down with the actual slugs and casings for a final ballistics check. You still there?”

  “I’m listening go on.”

  “You don’t sound all that excited. You solved my murder case, cleared your client of a murder charge, and gave the FBI another lead on their Miami drug investigation. Congratulations.”

  “What can I say? I work in mysterious ways.” She didn’t feel much like celebrating, but forced a smile at Martin who had no clue what was going on.

  “I don’t know what those two women were up to identifying the corpse as Richie Grant, Margo’s boyfriend. Shapiro wants an explanation from you on that.”

  “I don’t blame him. It made it look as if her boyfriend killed her husband. Richie isn’t the killer but he’s still out there. I don’t understand why the women said the corpse was Richie. Maybe so you’d stop looking for him.”

  “I’d love to find Margo and ask her,” he said. “What’s Claudia Mertens going to tell me?”

  “Some bull about how she didn’t actually know him. Met him only once or twice. Other than that, Shapiro must be happy about all this.”

  “Certainly is. But he wants to talk with you.”

  “I’ll give him a call.”

  “I owe you thanks for locating the killer in my case for me. At the very least, your client is a fugitive for jumping bail.”

  “I wish I could find her. I might never get another dime out of her, but I’m still willing to help her. I’ll spin it into mere failure to appear in court. If she ever shows up, I’ll get it dismissed. You guys scared the hell out of her.”

  “She could be in South America by now. The judge didn’t take away her passport. Also, some talk of missing drug-buy money. You know anything about that?”

  “Officer, I have no idea how that three hundred grand got in my purse.”

  “One of these days, you’ll go too far.” He chuckled into the phone.

  It occurred to her perhaps she had already gone too far. “Ask the FBI about the money. They’re the ones who lost track of it.”

  “Heppard says to ask you.”

  “Hey, I’m not running his investigation. But I’ll tell you this, Eddy. Someone found the moneybag in the freezer. The gang doesn’t have it, because they’re still looking for it. It’s up here in Park Beach, and I’ll bet you Margo, Claudia, or Richie has it. Anyhow, the murder has been solved. Why do I care who has the missing money?”

  “Because you’re Sandy Reid. Goodbye, buddy.”

  She turned to Martin and started explaining about how she had located Adela Sevilla in Miami. He was genuinely thrilled and interrupted several times with, “Bravo!” Then she explained, she was now living under the threat of criminal prosecution and being sought by a U.S. Marshal.

  That brought a sick expression to his face. He thought a minute. “So, Adela gave you the name, Gerardo Diaz. If the word gets out she blew the whistle on the drug gang, she’s a dead girl. You’re going to protect your source regardless of what they do to you.”

  “And now that I’ve told you, you must take it to your grave. Also, keep secret the fact that I even located Adela. Don’t ever mention her name. If no one knows I found her, then no one will start wondering if she is my source.”

  “I understand completely. Thanks for sharing that. Still, I don’t see how you’re going to keep her a secret. You can’t spend your life in jail.”

  “I don’t see how I can avoid going to jail. It isn’t unusual for judges to use the threat of jail to get people to testify. But I’ll never give out Adela’s name. That woman put her trust in me. Maybe after a few months in jail, the judge will consider releasing me.”

  “I’ll get you the best lawyer possible.”

  “There’s more to the story, Martin. This summons problem of mine didn’t have to happen. I gave Agent Heppard the name of the killer and asked him not to name me as the source. It was getting late, and he didn’t think I should drive through Miami after dark, I wasn’t’ thrilled with the prospect either. He asked me to sleep with him overnight in his apartment. Nothing wrong with asking. A girl can always say no. Here’s the unbelievable part. When I refused, he said either come across or he would have a summons issued forcing me to reveal my source. No way would I consider doing that with him.”

  “Decidedly sad to think there are men such as that out there. Simply sordid and an insult to suggest you’d do it. Incredible. He could have easily protected your privacy, but he wanted to hurt you for turning him down. A woman can’t even have lunch with some men, or they’ll get the wrong idea. You gave that man absolutely no reas
on to think you had any interest in him at all.”

  She didn’t respond to that.

  He had never seen her worried like that. “I’m sorry it happened to you, Sandy.” He thought he should change the subject. “But I don’t get this. You found the murderer. Why are we still here doing this surveillance gig?”

  “I’m just grasping at straws. We now know Gerardo Diaz was the killer. Did he come up here to Park Beach searching for John and met Margo and Claudia? And they knew him as Richie? That is certainly doubtful. The guy was a full-time consulate employee in Miami. No, Diaz was up here in Park Beach for one purpose, whack John and grab the money. We now know Diaz was killed still searching for the money.”

  “So now we’re trying to find the money?”

  “It’s all about the money now. Remember, Margo came up with ten grand cash for me overnight. The woman wearing sunglasses and a scarf, who had the messenger service deliver ten grand to us, must have been Claudia.”

  “That’s right. Even though it didn’t match her description, she owns a beauty spa and wig shop and can change her appearance daily,” he said.

  “More than likely, she is involved. Let’s assume she’s guilty of something until proven innocent. She might lead us to Margo or the money. And apparently, Richie is still out there. One of them must have the money.”

  He snapped his fingers. “Now I see what Sandy Reid is up to. You couldn’t nail Claudia for the murder, so you’re thinking you’ll get her some other way. You’re hoping she’s caught and is put away for having the stolen money. This isn’t about the money. It’s about revenge. It’s about her daring to go after your man.”

  “I suppose there is some of that. I could excuse that diary business by saying all’s fair in love, but it was certainly low class. And I’m all straight with Chip now. He didn’t want anything to do with her before and doesn’t want anything to do with her now. Aside from all that, her hands are dirty somehow with that money. I just know she’d be attracted to it like a cannibal to a fat man.”

  “Fair enough. Count me in, A hunting we will go.” He looked around at the traffic and down the alley to the spa. “See what I mean about this being a great spot to park. Well, I’ve been sitting here all morning and she hasn’t left.”

  “Maybe sitting here is foolish. Thanks for helping me. Why don’t you take off? I’ll come back over around quitting time and follow her home or wherever.”

  “She’s usually at the spa until late. You might be sitting here after dark.”

  “That’s all right. This little red car is somewhat conspicuous in the sunshine,” she said.

  “Very well. Remember, I’m busy on Sunday. I’m taking the family over to Blue Cypress Lake.” His grin went from ear to ear.

  Just then, a sheriff’s patrol car passed in front. She stiffened for a second remembering that a U.S. Marshal was looking for her. This was absurd. She dialed Jaworski back. “Hey, Eddy, I’m not hiding from that federal summons. If they contact you, tell them to come and get me.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Just after nightfall, Sandy sat comfortably but bored in her strategically positioned car listening to the drone of Crazy Charlie and his all-time top one hundred on the radio and fighting sleep. Watching from her spot in the public parking area, she suddenly noticed the tail lights of Claudia’s BMW come on as the car backed out of the alley parking space. Although the street ran between them, she ducked down as the BMW’s headlights flashed directly at her while paused before turning right onto the street. She waited and pulled out after the BMW, feeling safe in following two cars behind. Unlikely she’d catch Claudia playing with the money somewhere, but there was always hope.

  After two miles, the cars approached a major intersection. If she were headed home, she would be making a right turn. Sandy then passed one car to leave only one car between in case Claudia made the next light and she didn’t. They all were waiting at the red light when Claudia unexpectedly pulled ahead and made a right turn on red. As the BMW turned the corner, Sandy could see the driver. It didn’t look like Claudia. It definitely wasn’t the flowing shoulder-length blonde hair of Claudia; it was more like the dark frizzy hair of...Margo?

  Margo driving Claudia’s car? An APB was out for Margo’s car, so Sandy didn’t expect her to be driving it. Heading for Claudia’s? Had Margo been hiding in the beauty spa? Didn’t make sense. They hated each other. Geez, sure did look like Margo.

  When she finally got a green signal, it took her three blocks to get back in position with one car between them. At every opportunity, she tried but couldn’t get another clear view of who was driving. Not Claudia, she was now convinced of that, and she couldn’t imagine Claudia lending her car to Margo. Then again, she had a strange cast of characters on her hands.

  They were the only cars passing through the quiet neighborhood approaching Claudia’s apartment. Afraid of being detected, Sandy turned her headlights off for the last two blocks. A warrant was out for Margo’s arrest, so she’d avoid her own apartment. Apparently, she was hiding out with Claudia.

  The BMW turned into the dirt street behind the apartment. Sandy also turned and coasted to a stop. She watched the driver park, and saw a dark-haired woman go in the rear door. She wished she were closer. She was now confused, the woman didn’t actually look like Margo.

  She counted to ten then went to the rear door and slowly opened it. The hall was unlighted, but the weak light from the street filtered in through from the front entranceway. She remembered Claudia’s apartment being at the front. She went to her door and listened. Nothing. She took a deep breath and knocked.

  Sandy was startled as the door instantly swung open. She gasped as she saw Claudia standing there with a smirk on her face, a wig in one hand, and a revolver in the other. “What’s the matter? You don’t like brunettes?”

  She was still shocked and trying to get her thoughts together, when Claudia grabbed her arm, yanked her into the apartment, and pushed the door closed. “You thought Margo was here?” She threw the wig on an end table. “Sit down on the floor, on the carpet over there.”

  Sandy followed her command. “I guess I need to practice my surveillance technique. People are always pointing guns at me. Please understand I’m not after you at all. I’m trying to help Margo. I need to find her before the police do.”

  Claudia rested the revolver on the hassock away from Sandy and stretched back on the armchair. “Sending your partner over here snooping around was dumb. Sitting there all morning watching the alley in his shiny new car was what clued me in you were on to me. Then later, I walked to the corner and saw you there in your cute red car. You can play around with Margo, but it’s different with the big girls. I let you follow me home. Little Miss Smartass fell into my trap. Is our intrepid investigator beginning to suspect she might be in trouble?”

  “This has nothing to do with you. I was hoping you might lead me to Margo. Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea, huh? I’ll leave and not bother you again.”

  “Sure, let’s have a cup of tea before you leave, dearie. Then we’ll kiss and make up. No hard feelings.” She pointed to the revolver. “You forced me to take drastic action. You’re just too damn troublesome. You were getting too close.”

  “And for that you’d kill me?”

  “Wouldn’t you, if you were me? And I stood between you and three hundred thousand?”

  “Don’t screw it up, Claudia. The cops aren’t on to you at all. You can still get away with it. Of course, now you have to explain pulling a gun on me. But I can overlook that. It’s not too late.”

  “Except you’re lying. I know you work closely with the police.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is true. You said to hell with Margo, and she skipped out. Stand up and take off that dress.”

  “I’m not wearing a wire. I’m not taking it off.”

  “I know it looks stylish in a Girl Scout sort of way, but unwrap it. I’ve heard about you and all your tricky stuff
.” She rested her hand on the gun. “Take it off, now!”

  Sandy stood hesitating, looking at the revolver on the hassock. She had used the same model one afternoon at the gun range with Chip. He kept talking about the safety, the damn safety. Even from where she was standing, she could see that the safety was engaged. That gun could not be fired as is.

  She unfastened the dress, slipped it off her shoulders, and let it fall. She turned about. “See, no wire. Can I put it back on now?” Maybe she could act as though picking up the dress, then throw it at her, and go for the gun.

  “Not yet, sit back down.” Claudia slowly shook her head. “Plain white undies? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be in a car accident?”

  “I don’t need sexy underwear. I just get naked.”

  “You won’t be doing any getting naked from now on—not counting the guy wearing disposable gloves who gets paid to remove clothes from dead bodies.” She leaned forward. “And look at you. You ever wonder what it’s like to have tits?”

  “Not all men are superficial. Chip doesn’t complain.”

  “How does he even find those?

  “He's a detective, remember?” If she lunged for the gun, she’d need to flip off the safety before she could fire it. She wouldn’t get that far, Claudia was much closer.

  Claudia must have noticed Sandy’s eye movement. She quickly picked up the gun, clicked off the safety, and aimed it.

  Sandy swallowed hard feeling the first real throes of terror. “Kill me and you must somehow get rid of my body. Did you think of that?” Keep her talking.

  “It’s all planned to look like the drug gang killed you. You’ll be a body found in the woods clinging to an empty diplomatic pouch. I’ll leave a few large bills scattered around to look like the gang grabbed the money in a hurry.”

  “So, you do have the money. Who planned John’s murder, you or Margo?”

  “We didn’t know he’d be killed. I didn’t want him killed. I could have gotten that money without killing him. I thought I’d take the lion’s share. He’d have to run off and hide. I don’t know who killed him.”