One Deadly Sister Part 9

"He phoned you?"

"Yes, he wanted me to come to his apartment. I suggested the motel. I didn't dare to go to his apartment; he might tie me up and do whatever those men do. I thought I could explain I had no interest in him, and could let him down gently, so we met at the InnTowner. I suppose it's difficult to understand."

"When?"

"Sat.u.r.day morning, one week after the party, the day of the shooting. I thought the motel was better than being seen in public, but that was a big mistake. I just intended to talk but he misunderstood. Thought we were meeting for s.e.x. He threatened me when I refused. He was all hung up on Al being my ex. Al and I had laughed at something at the party and Reid saw us. He said he knew I was still in love with Al and that I wanted to go back to him. Of course, now I regret leaving the party with the weirdo. When I read they arrested him, I phoned the chief. There you have it, Loraine's big indiscretion."

"I need to ask you where you were Sat.u.r.day afternoon."

"The museum most of the afternoon. Then I was home."

"How long were you at the museum?"

"I got there about three and I left about five. I talked to a docent and a couple of guards. They know me over there, they'll remember me. How long is this going to take?"

"Did Reid ever say anything to lead you to believe he might kill Towson?"

"Absolutely. He said I'd love Al as long as he remained alive, and he wished Al were dead. Is that what you mean? No doubt about it, he's your killer. Are we about through here, I've got a hair appointment?"

He didn't look up from his notes. "You're lucky he didn't decide you should be the victim. Do you know Norma Martin?"

"I know who you mean. I attended a luncheon once out at her restaurant. I didn't see her but I a.s.sume she's common, like her food. I think she's one of those Guatemalans or something. Why would Al take up with a tradeswoman who fancies herself a restaurateur?"

"What did you say?" G.o.ddard straightened in his chair.

"Guatemalan."

"No, you said Al Towson was seeing Norma?"

"Indeed. They were seen places."

"How about Sonny Barner?"

"The exterminator? What about him? I use him. Half the town uses him. He's done handyman work for me around here."

"So, he's around here quite a bit."

"Not lately. I used to save up little jobs I needed done, and he did them when he came around to do his spraying thing. But I had to watch him every minute."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess he's okay but he's a drinker. He smells of insecticide and whiskey, fortunately it kills his body odor. I caught him over here once in the middle of the night in my swimming pool!"

"That's a serious intrusion."

"Of course, and I put a stop to it immediately. He's rather heavy-handed. Once I told him about a mole problem in the backyard. Later I looked out and he had a shotgun, I guess it was. I yelled out not to kill them. He wasn't going to shoot them, he said. Just fire the gun down the mole hole. Said the moles go insane, stagger around for a while, and then wander off. I told him to put the gun away and forget about the whole thing."

"When did you last see him?"

"I had enough of him. I told him to come for the spraying and absolutely nothing else. I guess he was here last month."

"Everyone knows Tammy Jerrold. Did you talk about her with Reid?"

"Why would I talk about her? I ignore tramps."

"Reid claims you told him you and Norma Martin knew that Tammy was raped by Barner, and for payback you shot him."

"Ridiculous, why would I make up such an absurd story? Besides, I'm too busy to shoot someone whenever Tammy Jerold forgets whether or not she gave consent."

The mention of the rape and shooting didn't seem to bother her. He wondered if anyone could ever tell when this woman was lying. "Can you think of any connection among Ray Reid, Norma Martin, Sonny Barner, and Tammy?"

"No, other than the Sonny-Tammy thing."

He gave her a confused look.

"Never mind."

"What about them?" He knew she was playing with him.

"Come on, Chip. All the police know how Tammy sleeps around."

He thought that was ridiculous, but he wasn't there to defend Tammy. "Tell me about her and Sonny."

"I'm not one to repeat gossip. Let's just say outside of her apartment is a strange place to park his van overnight."

G.o.ddard let the whole Tammy thing go. "Okay, Mrs. Dellin. That's it for now. We're trying to punch holes in Reid's story. If it became necessary, would you be willing to come to my office and make a formal statement?"

"No, I'll do no such thing. I think I've been more than cooperative but there are limits. I don't intend to be interrogated further at police headquarters. Unless you can give me one good reason why I should do so."

He couldn't resist. "Well, you slept with the man who killed your ex-husband." Some would see that as a love triangle and a murder that happened because she went after s.e.x with a stranger. That would be one good reason to lie.

Chapter 13.

Two hours later on Thursday, after a quick trip home to change into his full sergeant's uniform, G.o.ddard was across town at Memorial Park, standing stiff as a statue, as expected of an ex-marine-officer. Among the mournful dignitaries at the crowded final ceremony for State Senator Albert Towson, were state and federal politicians, including the governor, a U.S. senator, two U.S. representatives, and a former cabinet member. Other expected familiar faces were present-and one that wasn't expected.

G.o.ddard nudged the chief, and now neither was listening to the cleric. They exchanged a quick do-you-see-who-I-see glance. They were looking past the casket at Sonny Barner, alive but looking uncomfortable in his Sunday best. G.o.ddard was relieved, he didn't need a second murder.

"Reporters are here," the chief whispered, "so pick him up without tipping them off."

Within the hour, G.o.ddard had changed back into civilian clothes, and was seated across the table from Barner in the interrogation room. Moran and the chief watched through the gla.s.s in the adjoining room.

Barner was a tall, scrawny character who had never quite caught on to the fundamentals of socializing. It didn't help that his yellowish crooked teeth, big ears, and too-long face made him seem unapproachable. Yet Barner had made it on his own for some fifty years.

He claimed he didn't know anyone was looking for him. "Against the law now for a businessman to travel to Vegas?" His finger pulled at the tight collar of his unironed white dress shirt.

"Business must be good to fly off to Vegas for a few days. You left town in a hurry, didn't you? Didn't change your answering machine. No note on the door. What was the rush?"

"Yeah, the idea just came to me sudden like."

"Where'd you stay?"

"Caesar's Palace."

"Cheaper places than Caesar's Palace. You a big spender? Where'd you get the money?"

"I'm a businessman, I have resources."

"Does one of your resources shoot bullets?"

"I know why I'm here. You're not sure who killed him and you're fishing around." Barner leaned back in the chair. "Forget about me."

"You own any guns?"

"Yeah, a couple of pumps. Want to buy one?"

"Any handguns?"

He locked his hands behind his head. "No, but I got a Uzi SMG I use to plink tin cans around the backyard."

"You're sort of flip with this, Barner. You've done this police routine before haven't you? You ever do any big time?"

"You've already checked my record, you know I'm clean. I just don't like to spend time with cops, no offense." He made a half smirk. "Oh, now I see your problem. You've got the wrong sonafab.i.t.c.h in jail!"

"And you're sitting there laughing because you know he didn't do it. When did you make the plane reservation?"

"Didn't, just walked up to the counter."

"Which airport, what time, when did you come back? We're going to check all this, you know."

"Oh, what day is it now? Let's see, left Sat.u.r.day evening from Orlando, seven o'clock flight, back last night. Back just in time for the funeral."

"That's nice, back for the funeral. You and the senator, pretty close, huh? Funny, word around town is you didn't like the guy at all." G.o.ddard made up that one.

"He was okay."

"Maybe you came back for the funeral to be sure he was dead and couldn't talk. When did you last see him?"

"That day, the day I left, I did his apartment. Did it and left about three. Now you're going to be cute and ask if he was alive when I left. Yes, I think he was alive-at least he was talking on the phone."

"How did you get into the building?"

"He buzzed me in. I'm in and out of that building all the time."

"Where were you between three and seven, before you left town?"

"That when he was killed? Got to catch up on the papers. I had a couple other Sat.u.r.day jobs and then left for the airport."

"I need the names of those jobs. How many customers do you have in Towson's building?"

"Let's see, four regulars, others are call-in's."

"So, any of those people could have buzzed you in."

"Yeah, sure could have but didn't. Towson did."

"No, I mean later." He moved his chair closer. "When you came back later, someone else buzzed you in."

"There was no 'came back later', detective."

"You must see some valuable stuff laying around in some of those homes. Do customers follow you around while you're spraying their place, going through their bedrooms and all?"

"No, they don't and that's why I can't have employees. Can't trust them alone in people's houses. Like I told you, Towson was on the phone while I was spraying."

"Didn't you have to wait for him when he had to go find some cash to pay you?"

"No, I bill him."

"I thought you said he paid you in cash."

"Nice try."

"Where did you get all the money for Vegas?"

"Some I have to bill, d.a.m.n it. Some pay cash. You gonna turn me in to the IRS?"

"What about Tammy?"

Barner folded his arms across his chest and crossed his legs. For the first time he turned his look away from G.o.ddard. He didn't speak.

"Look at me, Sonny. What about Tammy?"

Barner cleared his throat. "Miss Jerrold is a good customer."

"You ever do her?"

Barner stared sharply at him.

"Her apartment-you do her apartment?"

Barner's jaw was clinched. He nodded. "Miss Jerrold and I are closer than people think. We're friends, in a way, she likes me."

"Towson was a real lucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d to have a young piece like that around whenever he wanted it. You can't blame her. A girl has to do what a girl has to do. Know what I mean? She didn't have any choice. That's what money will do for you. You can take advantage of people, of girls. G.o.d knows he was loaded, had more than any one man needed. Well, he won't be putting his hands on her again."