38
IT WAS A small thing, but Glitsky now understood from Juhle’s information that Katie’s brother was apparently the only person besides Frannie Hardy who might know something about Katie’s affair. And though Juhle was likely correct that pursuing the identity of Katie’s former lover would prove to be a dead end, it was the sole option that presented itself.
Glitsky called the number Hardy’s office had provided, identified himself ambiguously as an investigator, and midway through Wednesday afternoon, found himself sitting across from Daniel Dunne in the man’s impressive office.
Katie’s brother got right down to it. “Why do you look familiar to me?”
“I was at your sister’s funeral.”
“Hal’s side.”
“Of the church, yes. I’m still investigating her murder.”
“That’s what you said on the phone. Even though you’ve arrested him? I don’t have any doubt, I’ll tell you that.”
Because he did not want to identify himself as a police officer, Glitsky kept his response general. “It would be helpful if there were more physical evidence. Being a lawyer, you probably know that a grand jury has a lower standard of proof than a trial jury. They can indict, but before the court can convict, more will be needed. You told the other inspectors that Hal and Katie were having problems with their relationship. I wondered if you could enlarge on that a bit.”
“You mean Patti Orosco?”
“Not so much,” Glitsky said. “She and Hal both say that he’d broken up with her.”
“Well, what’s he going to say? Of course they’re not going to admit anything. But you notice she was at the funeral? They’re still together, you watch. They’re just biding their time.”
Glitsky wasn’t going to fight him. He said, “Nevertheless, one of the things you mentioned to the other inspectors was that your sister also had an affair.”
Daniel’s brow clouded. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“I don’t know. I thought you might be able to tell me. If Hal found out, especially recently, it might have played a role in driving him to do what he did. Did your sister tell you anything about that, maybe mentioning it to Hal?”
“No. I don’t see her doing that.”
“All right. Do you know who this person was? Her lover.”
“I don’t see why that would matter. But no, I don’t.”
“It would matter because anyone who had been intimate with your sister might still have a connection with her. For the trial, it would be better if we knew all the players so we don’t get surprised. Katie never mentioned who it was?”
“I don’t think so. Actually, I’m sure she never did. But you know, I don’t see what this is going to get you, Inspector. Honestly. She made a mistake. She felt awful about it and put it behind her. Whoever it was—her lover, I mean—I have a hard time seeing him coming back into the picture after all this time so he could kill her. Does that make any sense to you at all? Really?”