by Ellie Smith
The pair stepped into the small visitation room to find Richard Clark waiting for them. After the Lieutenant had closed the door Phillip Blakely dropped his briefcase on the table with a resounding bang.
"Why in the hell didn't you tell me about Thornton?"
"Because I promised Harry I wouldn't tell anyone," Clark said dully. "Besides, I didn't think it had any bearing on the case. It was all very innocent and I knew Felicia would get the wrong idea if she found out."
"She already knew," Dani interjected.
"I know that now."
"Was he having an affair?" the attorney asked.
"No," was the Professor's instant reply. "He told me he helped her when she was having a rough time. That was all. He asked me to keep it quiet. I could relate with what he was doing so I did."
"Did you know who she was?" the attorney asked.
"Yes, I had her in one of my classes."
"What else haven't you told me Rick?" Blakely scowled.
Richard Clark looked up quickly. "Nothing!"
Dani laid a picture in front of him. "Is that her?"
The seated man looked at the picture and nodded.
"And you had no idea Mrs. Thornton knew about her?" Dani frowned.
"No," Clark said without hesitation. "I swear I didn't know."
Dani returned the picture to her briefcase and pulled out another one. "Do you know this man?"
"Yes," Clark said. "His name is Roger Ortega. He's the head of the chemistry department at Harrison."
"What was going on when this picture was taken?"
"It was our annual Halloween ball last year."
"Did you attend?"
"Yes." He pointed to a horridly disfigured creature in the background. "That's me. I was dressed as a zombie."
Dani studied the photograph with her magnifying glass. "That's quite a costume. How'd you ever come up with it?"
"Roger helped me design it," Clark informed. "He has a Masters in chemistry and said he could make up some plastic scars and blood for me." He smiled in recollection. "I took second place in the faculty division for most original costume."
"Who got first place?" the brunette inquired.
"Roger did."
"Did he design any other part of your costume?"
"Yes. He designed the gloves and the neckpiece too. The neckpiece was easy but it seemed like it took him forever to get the gloves right. They always seemed to be the wrong shape or size." Clark shrugged. “I thought they looked great but Roger said if I was going to get in on the prize money I had to have a believable costume.”
A deep frown dropped the woman's eyebrows. "Do you still have the costume?"
"Sure. It's in my closet back at my apartment. Why?"
Dani ignored his question. "I'll need permission to get into your apartment."
"Sure. Phil's got my keys. But I don't understand why you would want my costume."
"Maybe for nothing," Dani said and went to the door, exiting the room without looking back at either man.
When Phil Blakely came out, the brunette was leaning against the building near the outer door. She straightened when he stopped beside her and they walked down the sidewalk together.
"I'll need those keys to Clark's place."
He stopped long enough to open his briefcase and pull out a small brown envelope. After opening the envelope, he removed a key ring that held eight keys. He slid the apartment key off and handed it over. "What could you possibly need that costume for?" he asked with a frown. "It was made long before Thornton died."
Dani fingered the key thoughtfully. "Maybe not long enough," she said oddly then started down the sidewalk. When the barrister caught up with her she gave him a sideways glance. "Has the prosecution wrapped up its case yet?"
"Rivera said he'd be done tomorrow right after lunch."
The dark gaze slid away and seemed to be studying the distant horizon. "Get a subpoena deuces tecum for Manuel Ramirez."
Phil frowned. "Who's Manuel Ramirez?"
"Delivery boy for the Pinecrest Country Club."
A soft light flickered in the attorney's eyes. "I know what to ask him to bring."
Dani stopped at the curb as a dark sedan pulled to a stop in front of her. "I'm sure you do," she said and gave him a twisted smile. "Just make sure you know what questions to ask him when you get him on the stand." She slid into the backseat of the car seconds before it sped out of sight. Inside the darkened backseat, Dani fingered the single key as a deep frown furrowed her brow. "Hit the freeway Dan," she told the driver. "And head for Harrison College. We have a hell of a lot of work to do between tonight and tomorrow noon."