chapter 25
The bar stank of sweat and beer and blood and one hundred moppings hadn’t been able to cover it up. Although Tony would much rather be back at the hotel with Linda, he’d left her to do her thing with her laptop while he met with Yee.
“You were supposed to send men to protect Linda,” Tony said, his tone accusing.
Yee’s brows rose. “I sent men, yes. And they haven’t reported anything of interest.”
“Anything of interest? Or anything at all? Because Linda hasn’t been at her house for the past several days. I’d think you’d have known that if you’d sent men to protect her.”
Yee narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “Several days, huh? And you’d know this...how? No, wait. Let me guess. Because she was the reason you missed your meeting with the supplier?”
“Damn right she was the reason. She probably saved my life. After someone tried to hurt her and kill me.”
“And you think I had something to do with that? After someone tried to gun one of you down outside the courthouse. Was that my doing, too?”
“I’m just letting you know what my thoughts are. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ve given your name to my attorney in a sealed envelope. If something happens to me or Linda, you and your team will be investigated. Do you understand?”
“Oh. I understand all right.” Yee sighed. “Damn Cam Blake for his corrupt ways. Our police force is never gonna live it down, are we?” He shrugged. “Do what you need to do, Tony. But I’m telling you. This woman’s got you running around in circles. Your head’s clearly not in the game.”
At that moment Tony’s cell phone rang, but he let it go to voice mail and kept his gaze on Yee. As he did so, his suspicion that Yee was dirty evaporated. His instincts told him Yee was on the up and up, but he wasn’t ready to tell the other man that. Not yet. Standing, he said, “We’ve hit a dead end but it doesn’t mean I won’t be able to find a detour. When I do, I’ll let you know. Until then, remember what I said.”
Once Tony was outside, his cell rang again. This time he answered. “This is Tony.”
“You missed our meeting.” The male voice was familiar. It was the same person who’d called Tony before, claiming he’d supplied Guapo with the Rapture drug and that he wanted to do the same for Tony.
“It wasn’t intentional,” he said, trying to tap down his relief that he might just have another chance to nail this guy. “Someone tried to put me out of commission, but ultimately they failed. Let’s try again. I can meet you at the same place—”
“I never meet at the same place twice.” He rattled off a location in West Sacramento, then said, “I’ll call you next week with the date and time.”
“Next week?” Tony said. “No. That’s not good enough. We need to meet earlier.”
“You’re not in a position to be making demands. Mr. Cooper. I said I’d meet you. Don’t give me a reason to change my mind.”
“Damn it,” Tony said. “I—”
But before Tony could finish his sentence, the other man hung up.
* * *
After Tony left to meet with his cop contact, Linda called Neil and told him she’d be stopping by the D.A.’s office. “But I won’t be reporting for work,” she said. “I just need to get a file. The one you have on that woman who burned herself and her husband. Molly Snow. Would you get it for me?”
“What for, damn it? If you’re not coming back to work, what the hell are you going to be doing?”
“I just need to look into a few things, Neil. Please. Will you get me the file?”
Several seconds passed and Linda held her breath.
“Fine,” Neil said. “I’ll get you a copy, but I have to leave for court. Call Allie when you pull into the parking lot. I’ll have her bring the file out to you. But then I’m done, Linda. Things have gone too far. Your friend Tony’s trial has been set for next Monday. If he doesn’t show up, I’m going to ask that the court issue a bench warrant for his arrest, just as I would any other defendant.”
“I understand, Neil. And thank you.”
When Linda pulled into the D.A.’s parking lot, she called Allie. Less than two minutes later Allie came out with a file.
The younger woman looked concerned. “Hey, Linda. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Allie. I just have some personal things I’m taking care of.” Her gaze dropped to the file in Allie’s hand. “I’m going to look into a few things when I can though. Catch up on work.”
“Sure.” Allie bit her lip. “I heard about what happened outside the courthouse. And that Tony Cooper pushed you out of the way. Have you seen him? Where is he now?”
Linda stiffened. Had she seen him? Why would Allie ask her that? And why would she assume Linda knew where Tony was? She stared at Allie, but the other woman’s eyes appeared free of guile. “I don’t know where he is. Thanks for getting me this, Allie. I appreciate it.”
“No worries, Linda. Take care.” With a wave and a smile, Allie went back inside.
Linda stared after her for a second, then flipped through the file.
When she was done, she phoned the investigating officer whose number was listed on the police report.
According to Detective Leon, the officer in charge of the case, Molly Snow wasn’t near ready to be interviewed, but the woman might be able to lead them to the supplier they were looking for.
Linda drove to the hospital where Molly Snow was being treated. After inquiring at the nurse’s desk and flashing her credentials, a nurse escorted her to the appropriate room.
A patrol officer stood guard outside. Linda wasn’t surprised. Despite her tragic circumstances, Snow was both victim and suspect. Until they knew whether the District Attorney was going to charge her with a crime, the police needed to insure she stuck around. Linda showed the young officer her identification and stepped inside the room.
Snow was the only person there. She was swathed in bandages. Her eyes were closed, her breathing loud. Linda stood next to her and listened to the repetitive beeping of one of the many machines connected to Snow.
She’d prosecuted a couple of murder-by-fire cases before. She knew that victims who suffered from smoke inhalation were in effect seared from the inside and outside at the same time. God. Linda wondered if Snow even knew her husband was dead.
“Who are you?” The unexpected female voice came from behind her, causing Linda to jolt. At the same time Snow’s eyes fluttered open to stare foggily up at her. Snow let out a small moan despite the fact she’d been intubated.
Linda turned to see a middle-aged brunette in a red sweater and jeans rush in. “It’s okay, Mol. I’m here. Shhh. Shhh.” The woman reached for Molly Snow and rested her hand on a bandaged limb. That’s when Linda noticed how short the limb was. She averted her eyes. The doctors had had to amputate Snow’s arm.
Snow seemed to calm down at the woman’s touch, nodding just the slightest bit before closing her eyes and apparently dozing off again. The woman turned to Linda, saying in a softer voice, “Who are you?”
Linda kept her own voice soft. “My name is Linda Delaney. I’m a deputy district attorney.”
The woman’s lips tightened. “Are you here to charge her with a crime? Because look at my sister. She’s suffering. How can you be so heartless? She’s a good person. She would never hurt anyone. Not herself. Not her husband. It was those damn drugs—” Snow’s sister sobbed and Linda fought the threat of tears prompted by the other woman’s helplessness. How many times had she felt her own helplessness as she’d watched her father destroying his life? And the lives of others, including her own?
“I’m not here to charge Molly with anything. I can’t say that won’t happen later, but right now...right now I just want to find the person who’s really responsible for this. The person who sold her the bath-salt drugs. We don’t have much to go on. You are...?”
“I’m Diana Wilson. Molly’s younger sister.”
Linda nodded in greeting. “Diana, do you know where Molly was getting her drugs?”
“No, no, not at all. I already told the police. They’re wonderful. Everyone loved them.” The words didn’t make sense given Linda’s question. Her voice broke on the last word, and she clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs. She glanced worriedly at Snow.
Linda knew she should leave. The woman didn’t need an audience to her grief. Linda turned away, but then hesitated. Turned back. “Diana, do you know if your sister ever mentioned the name Mark Guapo?”
Diana Wilson’s reaction was palpable. Her head whipped toward Linda and her eyes widened in shock. Her complexion took on a pasty tone before she shook her head.
“No.”
“Diana, please...”
Diana faced her, like a lioness protecting her cub. “You need to leave. You need to leave now.”
Linda glanced at Molly Snow, who had begun to stir. “Okay.” She walked toward the door, took out one of her business cards and placed it on a small table on her way out. She then turned to Diana.
“I want to help. Call me if you think of anything. Please.”
Diana Wilson didn’t respond. But she looked down at Linda’s card and stared at it for several long seconds before she turned back to her. “Goodbye, Ms. Delaney.”
* * *
Tony tried calling the Rapture supplier after the guy had hung up on him but the phone just kept ringing. The man had probably switched cell phones anyway.
A week, he thought. It wasn’t ideal, but like the guy had said, at least he was still willing to meet with him.
As he’d done several times since returning to Sacramento, Tony called Justine’s cell. Again he got no answer. He thought about driving to the house on Tortuga Boulevard, but he suspected that once he showed his face there again, he’d be delayed far longer than he wanted to be. He’d have to go back eventually. Tomorrow even.
But right now? Right now he wanted to get back to Linda and make sure she was okay. And since he’d already made contact with the Rapture supplier, he felt perfectly justified doing so.
Then again he’d always been particularly good at justifying things when he needed to.
By the time Tony got back to the hotel, Linda was asleep. Exhausted himself, he watched the rise and fall of her breasts as she slept, curled in a tight ball on the corner of the mattress. He’d asked for a suite when they’d checked in, but the best the hotel could do was a room with two double beds. Linda had claimed one, which meant he’d be sleeping in the other.
Alone.
He whispered her name, but Linda remained still. She was dead to the world. Good for her. She needed her sleep.
Tony brought his phone into the bathroom and tried once again to get a hold of Justine. When she didn’t pick up he left her yet another message, telling her he was back in town and asking her to call him. He pressed the button to terminate the call and quietly entered the bedroom again. He sat on his bed and looked at Linda.
He looked at her for what seemed like hours.
Then he lay down and went to asleep in his cold bed.
And dreamed about holding her in his arms once more.