Sanchez looked out the window and into the zooming lens of a camera. I hope you’re seeing this, old pal. If you have any smarts, you’ll find a way to get me off the hook.
*
As Ibee Walters exited the Jefferson County Courthouse, she saw Lily marching toward her. Shit!
Ibee lowered her head as she crossed the street, making her way over to her favorite spot: Hindle Café. She didn’t want to make a scene inside, so she waited for Lily as she stepped off the curb and into the crosswalk, sidling through pedestrians, and walking in short, quick strides.
“What the hell happened back there?” Lily asked, coming up to her. “Why didn’t you give a strong argument? Present all that we had?”
Ibee cringed inwardly. The accusations, although true, stung. She was proud to be known in the courtroom as a person who’s unyielding unless pressed by the judge and now, thanks to Wells and her stupidity, she’d been backed into a corner and forced to cower before the daughter of the man she’d wanted to set up in order to get what she wanted. “Can we discuss this later? I’m headed to a meeting.”
“I guess since you got your prize seat as DA, you’re no longer hungry.”
“A seat that isn’t officially mine until January. What did you want me to do?”
“Make an example of him. Push to settle the Sanchez case in the hallway like you’ve done with countless others that’ve crossed your desk.”
“Wells won’t go for that. It’ll go to trial. But this case is far from being resolved. As for Sanchez being out on bail, he’s on a monitoring bracelet.”
Lily shook her head. “GPS monitoring won’t keep Sanchez from communicating with the dick responsible for killing those other women. We need his partner.”
“I’ll see about a plea bargain. Maybe that’ll persuade him to open up. But if I push Wells, he’s going to order a mental evaluation for his client.”
“A mental…this is crazy.”
“If that happens, that’ll be the end of our case. Now I have to get to my meeting,” Ibee said, pulling on the door to the café and closing it behind her.
Ibee went inside and sat down at their usual table.
“What did you do to upset my wife?” Julius asked.
“I can only give you small details about the hearing. Too much and the judge will get suspicious.”
“It better be enough for a pay back on what I gave you about Riley Street and the free interview.” Julius sipped his iced coffee.
Ibee took a breath, holding tight to the air inside her. “Take what I give you or forget it.”
“I’ll take what I asked for the first time, plus bigger chunks of each new case that comes across your table. It’ll help me to forget about the first draft I’ve written about how tight you and Landon were at one time.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Not long enough. Does anybody know that you and your ex-boyfriend had drinks the night before Collin died? That you two went back to your house and had a roll in the hay? Did you two share client secrets?”
Ibee hooked her feet around the chair legs to keep herself from lunging across the table. “Were you watching?”
“No. I was guessing. Thanks for confirming.” Julius pushed away from the table, with a satisfied grin lining his face. “From now on, I want to know everything you know. Or else.”
*
The brisk walk from the café back to the parking lot of the court house helped Lily to calm down.
As Lily reached her truck, Evan stepped out of the car parked next to her vehicle. “Where you headed?” he asked.
“The lawyer’s office. After that; home. Julius’s banquet’s tonight.”
“If you can spare a few minutes, I’ve got the data Detective Keys recovered from the cellphones.”
“Anything that will help us?”
“Nothing much. But it seems Nadia Camden may have continued to post status messages from her phone just before she died. She left Melli’s coffee a little after seven o’clock Thanksgiving evening. But this status here made me pay attention:
“Stupid deer. Bambi came out of nowhere, plowing head first into my ride’s tail light. We nearly ended up in a ditch.”
A quick breath bottled up in Lily’s chest. CtryGeek23 is getting sloppy. “I want the video from Melli’s Coffee. This guy Nadia was with will have some damage to his vehicle,” Lily said.
“It’s been four days. Enough time to have it fixed.”
“I know you’re tired, but this is a good lead. You’re the only sane person left working with me on this case. Check up on it and if you find something, call me. I’ll drop everything and meet you at the station.”
Evan shoved the printouts into Lily’s arms. “For your downtime at the banquet. I also forwarded you a copy of the printouts to your email. I’ll finish making my rounds for video footage.”
Lily smiled. “All right. I’m praying this party lasts no more than two hours.” She checked her watch. “Crap. I’m late.”
Lily climbed up into the truck, started it up and backed out of the parking lot.
The more Lily thought about it, the more she wished being late was her only concern. Tonight she was going to reveal to her husband that Evan was her new partner.
What if it’s worse than last time?
Lily didn’t want to relive the first several days of their honeymoon where Julius suggested Lily transfer to a different station, which she refused to do. Julius responded by flying into a rage, and leaving several broken dishes, along with Lily’s heart. Even though he’d apologized, it was something that remained ingrained in her memory.
*
4:44 p.m.
Across town, Lily sat next to her mother as the attorney who represented Collin’s estate finished reading the will and fished the sheet of paper off the fax machine. He skimmed the page and glanced over at Deena. “Would you like to read this letter from your husband in private?”
Lily watched as her mother crossed and uncrossed her legs for the second time. She’d been right to be worried about what was going to come out at the lawyer’s office. Without anyone knowing, her dad had made changes to his will, listing Lily as the sole beneficiary of his life insurance, IRAs, and other savings accounts.
“What’s your name again?” Deena asked sharply.
“Ronald.”
“Ronald. There’s nothing in that letter that could hurt me. My husband made his feelings for me clear in his will.”
The attorney pressed his thin lips together and continued. ‘“My pension will be divided in half between my daughter and my wife.”’
“Ah. At least he left me something.”
The attorney faced Lily and said, ‘“It’s my desire that my only living daughter, Lily Blanchette, be custodian of the colonial home purchased by my father who established the Blanchette family trust. Also, I give her a piece of property I own in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and any and all other possessions included on it.”’
Lily adjusted herself in the chair. The changes made by dad were done out of anger. There’s no way he’d cut Mother out of everything unless he believed there was nothing else to do. A parting shot from the grave? He did his part as the husband and his wife embarrassed him by hanging out with Montejack in front of everyone he knew. “I’m sorry. I must’ve missed something. Is Mother being kicked out of her home?”
“Your dad gave her thirty days to find another place to live. As it stands, your mother needs your permission to live in the house,” Ronald replied, giving her a brief explanation about the trust. “There’s no financial burden on you. It’s been arranged so that all taxes and maintenance will be paid through the Blanchette estate.”
“Whatever you decide,” Deena began, gripping the handles of her purse.
“You can stay, Mother. I’ll figure all the other stuff out later.”
Ronald slid an envelope across his desk to Lily. “Here’s a letter from your dad. He wanted you to read it in private.” He stacked the p
aperwork in a pile. “Does anyone have any questions?”
“I have a showing that I have to get to. Lily?”
Lily jumped to feet, thanking the lawyer as she powerwalked alongside her mother to keep up. Once outside the building, Deena continued towards her car without looking back. “You knew all along about the house,” she shouted.
Cold air swiped at Lily’s blue silk blouse.
Deena froze in midstride and looked over shoulder. “I loved Collin and wanted to grow old with him. I wished I’d realized that before it was too late.” She got into her car, revved the engine, and drove away in a cloud of choking exhaust.
*
As Lily piloted her vehicle into the driveway at ten minutes to six, she noticed that Julius hadn’t made it home yet. Where is he? She had assured him she would be home by six, giving them both enough time to get to the banquet.
Lily glanced down at the cellphone printouts sitting in the passenger seat. If she hurried, maybe she’d have a moment to look them over.
She scooped up the printouts, climbed down from her truck, dashed into the house and up the stairs where she showered and dressed. Several minutes later, before her full-length mirror, she examined the white one-shoulder sheath dress she had bought last year. She turned to the right, sucking in her breath. When did I put on weight? As Lily exhaled, she slid her feet into a pair of matching kitten heels. She wanted to look good while on Julius’s arm and if she had to endure some tight fitting clothes, then she was going to tough it out.
A few seconds later, the front door slammed shut. “Babe!” Julius called, running up the stairs.
“You’re late.”
Julius entered the room, unbuttoning his shirt. “Nice. I see you went with the sexy heels.”
Lily smiled. I’d rather wear my loafers. “Just for you. Are you excited about being nominated?”
“Not really. Third time it’s happened and nothing,” he said, stripping off his remaining clothes and tossing them in the hamper. Julius stared at the paperwork on their bed. “Is that work?”
“Evan brought it to me at the last minute. He’s my new partner for the remainder of this case.”
“You and Evan are working together?”
Lily nodded.
Anger flashed across Julius’s face.
Lily could feel her legs starting to get restless. Is this something that will continue to be a sore subject for us? She didn’t want dealing with the depth of Julius’s jealousy toward Evan to put a damper on what promised to be a wonderful evening for her husband.
This is my job. For once please understand.
Julius snatched his tuxedo off the hook. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” He ducked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Lily knew her husband was angry. But it relieved her to see him so calm. She walked over to the door and listened until the shower came on. He’s preoccupied. Maybe we can talk about it later.
A beeping sound came from the hamper.
As Lily backed away from the door, she heard the beep again. She retrieved Julius’s dirty laundry from the hamper and dug into his pants pocket, pulling out his cellphone.
The face of Julius’s phone lit up as another text came through, displaying a few lines of the message.
“Kill the article or you’ll regret it.”
Lily zeroed in on the number. Her heart flip-flopped. Ibee? She raced over to the bed and picked up her phone. She went to her contacts and read the number listed for the district attorney.
It was Ibee Walter’s number. Regret it?
Lily tried to view the previous messages, but Julius’s phone was locked.
Lily marched into the bathroom and said, “Why is Ibee texting you?”
“What did you say?” he asked, poking his head out of the stall. Water dripped from his upper body, dotting the floor.
“Ibee,” she said, reading the text to him.
Julius shut off the water, reached for his towel and wrapped it around his waist. “I wished you hadn’t checked my phone,” he said stepping onto the rug.
“It’s a simple question.”
“I wish it was.”
“Is it related to the case?”
“Sort of.”
“Then you can tell me the part that isn’t?”
He toweled off his hair and said, “Before the election, a source of mine filled me in on some things about Ibee that I think the public has a right to know, but Bruce is making me wait until after Ibee makes district attorney.
“During my research, I found out she and Landon were once an item. But that was eons ago. Anyway, I spoke with her about some of the cases she has worked on to see if she’d admit to any of the things being said, like how she goes the extra mile to fix cases just to get a conviction. She denied everything.”
“You were late because you met Ibee at the café? Not because you had to help with your parents?”
“Yep. Ibee called and asked me to meet her at Hindle’s.” Julius took off his towel and changed into his clothes. “She wants me to drop a story that’ll show her as a bad person. She told me to remember the times she leaked tidbits from certain trials to help me gain readers.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to drop the story. For now. I want to get through this banquet. I’m glad you’re going.”
“I owe you. Besides, after tonight my time will belong to the job.”
“What about your sessions with Landon? Are you going to open up about Celine?”
Lily began buttoning up Julius’s vest. “Landon wants me to relive what happened; to help create a timeline.”
“With everything we know you’d be crazy to take him up on it.”
As Lily finished the remaining two buttons, she forced a smile. “Guess my sanity will have to take a back seat.”
“That came out wrong. What I meant was be careful. It looks like Landon may have some skeletons in his closet.”
Lily fetched her clutch and rewarded Julius with a kiss. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the evening and forget about the outside world for one day. Deal?”
“Deal.”
*
Three hours had passed since Ibee Walters met with Julius Willer. Julius’s prying into her private life regarding Landon had touched a nerve, stirring up another round of resentment which she knew remained at the surface.
Even after all these years, it bothered her at how difficult it had been getting over Landon and what he’d done to her.
Seeing Landon fawning over Deena at McGinley’s the other night had ignited a jealous spark that sent Ibee fleeing into the arms of the first person who showed her interest. She wanted Landon to hurt. The only person that ended up being hurt was her, after watching Landon and Collin scuffle over Deena. What was it that sent Landon running back to that woman over the years? Was it sex? Or did they really love one another enough that they didn’t care how’d it affected the people they were married to?
Ibee shook her head. No one’s that gullible. Especially Collin. There had to be something recent that started things up again. She scrolled the third page of the search engine suggestions for Deena Blanchette.
Her heart thudded dully in her chest. This was a dumb idea. There were too many business profiles listed for Collin’s wife. Besides the latest “gotcha” photos on social media from McGinley’s, she was clean.
She shut down the browser and switched off her desk lamp.
Everything’s starting to unravel. Collin’s death. Julius finding out about my ties to Collin and Landon. It was turning out to be Ibee’s worst nightmare.
She grabbed her briefcase and exited her office on the main floor in the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Rae met Ibee in the hall and walked with her to the security entrance. “I was afraid this might happen.”
“That reporter is shitting in my corner.” Ibee slid on her gloves and sighed. “I want you to dig up something dirty on Julius Willer. It’ll help keep him in line.�
��
“His wife’s a cop.”
“I don’t care. Go back as far as you can, starting with his parents. It’ll be nice to keep him in his place.”
Ibee waved at the night guard through the glass and left through the double doors with Rae following at her heels. After taking a few steps, she stopped. Someone was standing next to her car. “What the hell does he want now?”
“Is that Dotson Wells?”
“I’ll go see what he wants. Call me when you’re done researching.”
Ibee stalked over to Wells and said, “If you’re here to blackmail me again, it won’t work this time.”
“No, I just wanted to see if you’re ready to ruin your career by taking this to trial.”
“I’ve got a solid case.”
“You’ve got circumstantial evidence.”
“My money is on the report that’ll be submitted by Detective Blanchette once she’s done.”
“Your detective is a loose cannon. She threatened my client.”
Too bad she won’t follow through with that threat. “You want a trial, you’ve got one.”
“I have no qualms about taking a chance with a jury.”
“You do that, Wells.” Ibee got in her vehicle and sped away.
Chapter 32
When they arrived, the awards banquet was in full swing at the posh Leighton Hotel. Richly upholstered sofas, stylish chairs and marble accents decorated the hotel. The ballroom was charming with its Palladian windows and white cathedral ceilings. Two huge brass and crystal chandeliers with pendant lighting dangled from the ceiling as if they were dancing to the swing music flowing from the band on stage.
A culinary staff of twenty stood in the back of the room next to their fine dishes of Mediterranean cuisine amassed along the buffet serving tables.
“Is it like this every year?” Lily whispered in Julius’s ear.
“Yep. Gotta do something to excuse charging a hundred dollars a plate.”
Lily couldn’t believe the wine selections and champagne that floated through the room on silver trays held by wait staff dressed in tuxedo jackets and bowties.
“There’s my protégé,” Bruce boomed, heading in their direction.
Promised Lies (A Detective Blanchette Mystery) Page 21