One Hot Mess Part 11

"So they were in love," I surmised.

"I'm told it happens sometimes."

I wondered if it had happened to him, but I didn't ask.

"What about Mr. Baltimore?"

"Kevin?"

"Yes."

He shrugged. "What about him?"

"Any reason he might bear her ill will?"

"Well... they were married for twenty-odd years."

"How odd?"

"It's just an expression."

"What does it mean?"

"I take it you've never suffered marital bliss."

"And I take it you have."

He laughed. "I have no reason to believe Mr. Baltimore would have harmed her. Nor do I believe he did."

"What about Queenie?" I asked.

"You spoke to her."

I nodded.

"Did she seem to be faking her distress?"

"Not unless she missed her calling."

He raised a well-there-you-go hand.

"So you think Kathy's death was truly accidental."

He stared at me a second. "I filed a report to that effect," he said.

Which wasn't quite an answer.

"Thank you for your-"

"Can I ask you a couple of questions?" he asked.

"You're still a cop," I said, and smiled, but the grin had dropped from his golden retriever face.

"Why does the senator care about Ms. Baltimore?" he asked.

10.

Honesty's the best policy. But insanity's a h.e.l.l of a lot more effective in court. So you're set, McMullen.

-Lieutenant Rivera,

always comforting

"HAT MAKES YOU THINK-" I began, but Tavis interrupted me.

"Eldred Ernst saw you talking to Queenie. Said there was a disturbance."

"What does that have-"

"Ran your plates," he said. "Christina McMullen, Ph.D." He watched me. I watched him in return, still a little breathless but for different reasons now. "A few months back, you were on the scene when the senators fiancee died."

"I didn't have anything to do with her death," I said.

"What are you doing in Edmond Park?"

"I told you, I just want some questions answered."

He stepped closer, forcing me to take a step back. "I'm the police in this little burg," he said. "If there are answers to be had, I'm the one who will have them."

I straightened, reminiscent anger firing up. "I'm a citizen," I said. "Doesn't that give me a right to ask a few questions?"

We glared at each other for a couple of seconds and then he laughed. "Yes, it does. You're kind of feisty, Ms. McMullen."

I felt dazed, unable to keep up with his mood swings.

But he dropped into his swivel chair, unconcerned about my confusion. "I've always wanted to play good cop/bad cop. It's not easy alone."

"What's wrong with you?" I asked.

He laughed. "I was just having a little fun. If you have more questions, please..." He lifted a hand toward me. "Ask away."

It took me a moment to gather my composure. "Did Kathy report any disturbances recently?"

"No."

"No scary noises? No security issues?"

"Nope."

"And you would know?"

"I would know."

"Who were her confidantes?" I asked.

"Well... Queenie, of course," he said, and shrugged. "Her daughter, I suppose. I'm not sure who else. Far as I know, everyone liked her. Why does Senator Rivera believe it was murder?"

"I didn't say he did."

He smiled.

"She worked on one of his early campaigns," I said, and wondered why I was defending him. "He feels responsible."

"Is he?"

"I don't think he would have asked me to look into her death if he were."

"Maybe it's all a ploy."

"What kind of ploy?"

He shrugged. "People are peculiar. I mean, it doesn't seem as if your relationship with the Riveras has always been smooth sailing. I believe the lieutenant accused you of murder at one time."

"Where do you get your information?"

He laughed. "You'd be surprised what you can find on the Internet."

"Or appalled."

"Well, yeah, that, too."

"Listen, Officer..."

"Tavis," he supplied.

I paused midthought. "Is that your last name or-"

"It's my given name," he said. "We don't like to stand on ceremony here in Edmond Park."

"Officer Tavis," I said, beginning over. "I didn't kill anyone."

He laughed again-the jolliest cop I have ever met, but maybe avoiding L.A.'s daily ration of homicides brightens one's outlook. "I never thought you did. We're not quite so suspicious as some," he said. "You still dating Rivera?"

"Do you have a different Internet than I do?"

"I didn't have a lot to do this morning."

"No kidding."

"You didn't answer my question, and I am an officer of the law," he said. "I could lock you up for suspicious behavior."

"No, you couldn't."

"Oh. Well, then you should answer just because."

"Because?"

"I'm bored. And I have dimples." He pointed at them.

"I don't believe my relationship with Lieutenant Rivera is any of your concern."

"That bad, huh? He accuse you of murder again?"

Actually, he had, but I didn't think it necessary to say it out loud. "It's complex," I said.

"Okay, then how about if we keep our relationship simple. How do you feel about casual s.e.x?"

My ear bulbs stood up and took notice, but I was still sure I'd heard him wrong. "What?"

"It's a small town," he said. "I don't get the chance to meet a lot of single women I'm not related to."

"Are you serious?"

"Serious as a hard-on," he said.

I was still on my feet, though I wasn't really sure how I was staying there. "I take it you guys haven't talked much about s.e.xual hara.s.sment out here in..." I gestured a little wildly. "Nowhere."

He shrugged, grinned, didn't stand up. "I'm not feeling hara.s.sed yet."

"Holy c.r.a.p!"

"You're an attractive woman," he said. "I didn't think to check your stats, but I'm a.s.suming you're over the age of consent."

I wasn't sure if I was expected to respond, but it was out of the question anyway.