First to Die

Chapter 63

EIGHT THE NEXT MORNING, I was at my desk. There were several ways I could go with this investigation. Hillary Bloom was the most direct, assuming, as Merrill had implied, that she was able to give us a name. It was clear that in a twisted way she was trying to save her family the added pain of having Kathy publicly branded as some kind of pathetic sexual victim, cheating on her husband-to-be right up until their vows. Sooner or later a name would emerge. From her, or from Seattle. Before I did anything else, I called Medved's office and rescheduled the blood treatment I had canceled for five o'clock today. After a brief wait, the receptionist said the doctor would see me himself. Maybe it was good news. Truth was, I was feeling a little stronger. Maybe the treatments were beginning to do their work. It was hard picking up where I had left off in San Francisco. The best leads were now in Cleveland. I read some reports on the evidence Jacobi was tracking down, held a meeting of the task force at ten. Actually, the most promising leads- the hair and the Bridal Boutique at Saks- had come from my meetings with Claire and Cindy. I couldn't resist calling Claire a little before noon. "Bring me up to date," she said excitedly. "I thought we were partners." "I will," I replied. "Get Cindy. Meet me for lunch."