Lou wasn’t surprised that she knew about the murder. News travels like wildfire in an office building. “Who told you about it?”
“Bruce Stewart, her fiancé.”
“He called?”
“No, I called him to see if he knew where Debbie was. She was supposed to be at a meeting this morning and it was unlike her to miss. Especially without calling.” Cindy opened the door to a small conference room and sat in the first chair, hands on lap. “I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
Lou noticed she didn’t seem to be that upset. “You didn’t like her much, did you?”
Cindy scrunched up her face and stared. “I might not have been invited to her cocktail parties, but I respected her work.” She looked at the door, then back to Lou. “The thing is, around here they frown on mourning. On anything that makes a person miss work. We don’t even get off for deaths of in-laws except under special circumstances.”
Cindy had a mature voice. It matched her age and looks, and the way she wore her hair, as if she just walked off a movie set from a 1970s TV show.
“Sorry,” Lou said. “I get cynical sometimes. And grumpy. Even my wife tells me that.” That brought a smile to Cindy’s face.
“We all get that way at times,” she said.
“What can you tell me about Ms. Parnell? What was she like?”
Cindy reached behind her and grabbed a bottle from a tray. “Water?”
“No thanks.” What happened to offering people coffee? And an ashtray.
“Debbie was into two things—work and men.”
“That sounds a little odd considering she had a fiancé.”
“Fiancé my ass. Bruce was too good for her. She was a…well, in my day we would have called her a loose woman.”
“That’s polite,” Lou said.
“She led that poor man around on a leash. He treated her like gold and she…well, I think you know what I mean.”
“So you really didn’t like her.”
“I know it sounds like that,” Cindy said, “but I did like her. She had a great sense of humor, was intelligent, and, for all of her faults, she treated me like gold. She even shared her bonuses with me.” Cindy focused on Lou’s eyes. She seemed more intense. “Let me tell you, that is a rare thing, especially around here.”
“Strange woman,” Lou said.
“Yes, she was.”
“Did Bruce Stewart know about her flings?”
“Not as far as I know. I think it would have killed him. He doted on her.”
“I have to agree with you on that. He seems like a nice guy.” Lou wrote a few things in his notepad. “How about Robert Elliott. Did you know him?”
“Is that who was with her?”
Lou looked around. “I shouldn’t have said. Keep this quiet, will you?”
“No worry, Detective. I knew Robert by name only. He used to work here but left before I arrived. About five years ago.”
As Lou wrote more notes, Cindy continued.
“I’ll tell you who’s no good—Chad Benning.”
Lou perked up. “Chad Benning?”
“He works upstairs in marketing.”
“Why do you say he’s no good?”
“He treats women like dirt. And Debbie was no different. I think she was getting away from him, though.”
“She used to see him?”
“For about a year.”
“And what makes you think she was breaking it off?”
Cindy leaned close and whispered. “Last night, as I was leaving, Chad stormed into her office. I heard them arguing, and her telling him she was tired. I left after that but when I was waiting for the elevator, Chad rushed past me and got into a car going up. I saw him punch the buttons and holler ‘bitch’ before the doors closed.”
“This was last night?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay, Cindy. Thanks. You’ve been very helpful. Don’t tell anyone we talked and remember, don’t mention the other guy’s name.”
“I won’t.”
“One last thing. Did Debbie keep things neat and clean?”
“That depends on who you ask.”
“What do you mean?”
“She kept her desk and work area immaculate, and she insisted I do the same. I’ll show you if you want.”
Lou brushed it off. “You said it depends…”
“Yes. I’d been to her apartment a few times to pick things up. It was not the same. It wasn’t filthy, mind you, but it was far from clean.”
“How?”
“Dishes in the sink, floors needing vacuuming, the place hadn’t been dusted in weeks, clothes on the floor, maybe a glass or two on the tables.”
Lou nodded, taking notes.
“But she liked her men to be clean,” Cindy said.
“Tell me about it,” Lou said.
“Everybody she dated was a ‘neat freak’ as Debbie called them. I think she liked that, as a balance to herself.”
“Stewart, too?”
“I can’t say for sure, but she always called him a neat freak. Chad Benning, too. And one other guy she dated.”
“Thanks,” Lou said, then handed her a card before leaving to meet Frankie.
“Detective?”
“Yes?”
Cindy whispered, “If you want to know more about Chad, you should talk to Lisa Oberson.” She pointed to a corner office. “She’s in today. You might find it helpful.”
Lou smiled. “I will. Thanks.”
He waited for Sherri; having Sherri in the room with Lisa might help. Five minutes into the conversation he knew he’d been right and let Sherri do the talking.
She scooted her chair close to Lisa’s, crossed her legs, put her notepad away, and looked at Lisa with a big smile. “What can you tell me about Chad Benning?”
Lisa looked away. “Nothing, really. We only went out a few times.”
Sherri didn’t say anything for a moment. “I heard you dated for a few months, not a few times.”
Lisa shrugged. She tried to laugh it off. “It seemed like years.”
“Good years or bad ones?”
“I don’t know. Some of both.”
Sherri sat back in the chair. “I always find that I tend to look at past relationships as one way or the other—either it was good and I’m glad it was part of my life, or it wasn’t good, and I wish I had been smart enough to never start it.”
Lisa stayed quiet for a moment, then, “I guess if you put it that way, Chad would fall into the latter category. I definitely wish I’d never gone out with him.”
“Why?”
Lisa leaned forward. “Is this confidential? Because I have to work here. I can’t…”
“It’s absolutely confidential.”
Lisa still seemed hesitant, but Sherri waited her out. Eventually, Lisa continued.
“Let me put it this way, he almost raped two women in marketing. I guess technically it was sexual assault. One of them was going to file charges, but he talked her out of it.”
“Don’t you women talk to each other?” Sherri asked. “You work together. How does this information not get shared?”
Lisa lowered her head. “Part jealousy. Part embarrassment. Every woman thinks she’s the one who can tame him.” A fake smile popped onto her face. “I thought the same thing. ‘I’ll be the one. I’m different.’”
“But you weren’t,” Sherri said.
Lisa raised her eyebrows and shook her head. “Not even close.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Chad gets real offended if you break it off with him.”
“‘Real offended.’ How?”
“I don’t know…”
Sherri leaned closer and whispered. “I think you do know. Tell me. It will stay between us.”
Lisa looked at Lou, then leaned toward Sherri. “When I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore…he started stalking me. I got phone calls in the middle of the night from unknown numbers, and anonymous notes left on
my car, suggesting I leave town. Things like that.”
Sherri let her have a few seconds. “He never did anything to you, though? Physically, I mean.”
Lisa shook her head. “Nothing like that. But he scared me. I thought about quitting. I even called a headhunter to see if they could find me a new job.”
“What made you stay?”
“I asked for a transfer within the building. Now I’m in a different department, on a different floor, and I have no dealings with him. It was enough to put a stop to it.”
“Okay, thanks,” Sherri said. “This helps a lot. And don’t worry; I won’t tell anyone.”
***
Frankie rode the elevator to seventeen, walked through the double-doors—wondering how much the etched glass had cost—then flashed his badge to the receptionist, Rhonda, according to her nameplate. “I need to speak to Ms. Parnell’s boss.”
Rhonda looked at his name again, “That would be Danette Barrows. I’ll call her.”
Frankie paced while he waited.
“Would you like coffee, Detective?”
He looked up at the young woman behind the desk, cute as a button and a warm smile to boot. “No thanks. Had plenty today.”
Barrows came out a few minutes later. Well-dressed, trim, short hair. The whole package spelled business, as did her demeanor.
“I was told you wanted to see me, Detective.”
Frankie would have shook her hand, but it wasn’t offered. “Is there someplace private we can talk?”
“What is this concerning?”
Frankie leaned close. “We’re investigating a homicide. Debbie Parnell was murdered last night.”
Her eyes went wide, but other than that, her face didn’t register much emotion. “I heard about that. I can’t believe it.” She looked around, almost as if she wanted to ensure that no one heard. “There’s a room down the hall we can use.” She turned to Rhonda. “I’ll be in conference room A if you need me.”
Frankie followed her. He waited until she was seated before speaking. “I’m going to need to speak to some of the employees. In particular, anyone who might have been close to her.”
Danette nodded. “Of course. Where did this happen?”
“At her apartment. Another gentleman was also killed.”
Her eyebrows raised. “Bruce?”
“No. Mr. Stewart wasn’t there. Do you know him?”
A shake of the head. “I’ve met him once or twice. That’s the extent of it. He seemed nice.” She seemed to be giving thought to something. “Was anything stolen? Her computer? Her phone?”
Jesus Christ, she’s worried about company information. “Her work computer and phone were found at the apartment, but her personal laptop was missing. Our forensic people are going over the other items now.”
“Detective, there is sensitive information on them.”
“Trust me, none of us have the money to buy stock even if we had the tips.”
She laughed.
“Tell me what you can about Chad Benning,” Frankie said.
“You think Chad had something to do with this?”
“We don’t know what to think yet. Can you tell me about Ms. Parnell and Mr. Benning? Anything might help.”
“You mean, were they seeing each other?”
“That would be a start.”
“I’m not sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Debbie wasn’t the kind of woman to stick to one man, and I think every man in the building was chasing her.”
“She was pretty.”
“Pretty is only half of it. You’d have to have known her. She was sexy as hell.” Barrows stopped and looked at Frankie. “Don’t get any wild ideas about relations between Debbie and me. I’m not a lesbian, but I’m confident enough in my sexuality to say she was a very sexy woman. Debbie had the whole package—if you know what I mean—looks, attitude, dress…” Barrows glanced at Frankie, her eyes running up and down his body. “You look as if you know about that.” She smiled, then added, “And no, I’m not making a play for you.”
“Damn.”
She laughed again.
“Ms. Barrows, did you know Robert Elliott?”
“Is that who she was with? I’m surprised.”
“Why is that?”
“Robert used to work here. They had a thing for a while but it ended quickly.” She looked up at Frankie. “And no, I don’t know why.”
“Is there anyone else in the office she was close to, besides Mr. Benning?”
Another shake of the head. “Not that I can think of. Her assistant might know more.”
Frankie stood. “I appreciate your time. And just so you know, I intend to mess with Chad’s head. Don’t be surprised if he gets upset.”
“Nothing would please me more, Detective. I keep Chad around because he is brilliant and one of the best at what he does, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t thrill me to see him fall.”
Frankie laughed this time. “Thanks again for your time,” he said, and handed her a card.
***
After Frankie found out where Chad worked, he headed for the coffee room closest to him. As luck would have it Chad was there talking to a young woman, a smile on his face and bullshit rolling off his tongue. Chad had an attitude that went with his good looks. If he ever gave up marketing he could be a pimp. Frankie moved between them and faced the woman.
“Excuse me, I’m Detective Frankie Donovan, from Homicide.”
The woman’s eyes went wide. She stared at Frankie, then shot a look to Benning. “Homicide?”
“Yes, we’re here about the Parnell murder.”
Her hands flew to her face. “Debbie was murdered?”
Frankie had been watching Chad when he spoke. “It happened last night. I’m sorry. I thought the office knew already.” Chad did a good job of seeming shocked—a fake gasp, his hand shot to cover his mouth. But it was fake. Frankie had done this enough to know. “You hadn’t heard either, Mr. Benning?”
“How did it happen?” Chad asked.
“Same way as those other murders. Remember the ones we asked you about?”
The woman looked up. “Chad, what is he talking about? What other murders? Why is he talking to you?”
Frankie turned back to her. “We are investigating a series of sex-related murders and had questions about Mr. Benning. That’s what I needed to see you about.”
Chad laughed. “Joanne, he’s kidding. He—”
Frankie squinted and put on his meanest look. “I’m not kidding, Joanne. I don’t joke about four murders.”
“I have to go to work,” Joanne said, and lowered her gaze.
Frankie handed her a card. “I’ll need to speak with you later.”
She nodded but got away as fast as she could.
“What the hell are you trying to do?” Chad said.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Benning, I can’t talk to you.”
“What the hell do you mean you can’t talk? You’re talking to everybody else about me.”
“I understand, sir, but the last time we spoke you told us you wanted a lawyer.”
“You can’t just go around talking to people about me.”
“Actually, I can. We have to gather information, and this is one of the best ways for us to do our jobs.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to you.”
“Are you waiving the right to an attorney?”
“Yes, I am.”
Frankie pulled out his iPhone, and turned on the voice recorder. “I am recording this, Mr. Benning. Are you waiving your right to an attorney?”
He leaned in close, spoke a little louder. “This is Chad Benning, and yes, I am waiving my right to an attorney.”
“Where were you last night?”
Chad looked around. “How about if we take this to my office?”
Frankie followed him in. Chad closed the door and sat behind a big—make that huge—cherry desk. “As to last night, I left work around 7:00 and went to a bar. Actually, I went to a coupl
e of bars.”
“Which bar?”
“It’s down on…I don’t remember, but it’s not far from Debbie’s place.”
“Did you go to Ms. Parnell’s last night?”
“No, but…”
“But what?”
“I was going to but she brushed me off.”
Frankie narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. “Explain what you mean by ‘she brushed you off.’”
“I don’t know,” Benning said. “I asked if we could get together and she said she was busy.”
“Were you having an affair with Debbie Parnell?”
“No. Not really.”
“Were you ever in her apartment?”
“No.”
“So you didn’t have a key?”
Chad balled his right hand into a fist. “No, Detective. I had no key.”
“Her neighbors said they heard an argument, and they heard a woman scream.” Frankie stared at Chad. “Why don’t you tell me about the argument.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I already told you I wasn’t there.”
“Did you fight about the other guy?”
Chad’s jaw tightened and the vein in his forehead bulged. He was getting pissed. “I wasn’t there.”
“That’s not what the doorman said.” Frankie leaned across the desk, getting real close. “He saw you.”
Chad swallowed hard. Looked away. “He must have been mistaken.”
Frankie stood. “We can do this one of two ways. You can come to the station with me and answer a few questions. Or, I can arrest you and cuff you and drag you out of here like the scum you are.”
“You can’t arrest me.” Chad wore a smirk that pissed Frankie off.
He pulled out his cuffs, walked around to where Chad sat and grabbed his left wrist. Frankie yanked it behind Chad’s back, tugging a little harder than he should have. “You have the right to remain silent. You—”
A few of Chad’s coworkers gathered outside his office, staring through the window.
“We don’t have to do this,” Chad said, his voice shaking. “I’ll go with you, just take these cuffs off.”
Frankie smiled as he put the cuffs away. “Let’s go, Mr. Benning. We shouldn’t be long.”
CHAPTER 21
A Few More Questions
Murder Takes Patience Page 11