Killer

CHAPTER 45

The criminal cases against Hank Nebe and Kiara Fallows would take months, maybe longer, to prepare. Sixty-seven days after his arrest, Nebe suffered a second jail assault and was transferred to a “location unknown” that I knew to be a federal lockup in New Mexico. Matrons at the women’s wing said Kiara Fallows had become a “queen bee” on her tier and was also being considered for transfer.

Then Fallows’s lawyer phoned John Nguyen. His client was ready to “come clean” in exchange for cooperation from the D.A. That translated to a predictably self-serving summary: Uncle Hank and Aunt Willa had murdered Connie Sykes with minimal assistance from Kiara. Yes, she’d accompanied Willa during the abduction of Ree and Rambla, but no, she had no idea what was going to happen, as Willa had simply said there was “court business to take care of.”

Subsequent examination of Willa Nebe’s duty Oxfords revealed minute traces of Connie’s blood and that fit with the speck she’d carelessly left behind at Ree’s apartment. A couple of knives found in Hank Nebe’s nightstand could conceivably be the murder weapons but no definitive proof would be possible.

Nguyen told the lawyer he’d weigh his options. He told Milo and me Kiara’s chance of avoiding serious prison time was “significantly lower than arctic temperature in Hades.”

Myron Ballister wasted no time filing his deep-pockets civil suit. I was returning from my third deposition at the downtown law offices of the white-shoe firm defending the county when I spotted Judge Marvin Applebaum leaving the building with a good-looking brunette his age.

He didn’t notice me until I waved.

“This is my wife, Jean, Alex. Honey, Dr. Alex Delaware, one of our custody consultants.”

Jean’s handshake was a cool gift of fingertips.

Marv said, “Now that I think about it, honey, if you don’t mind.”

She grinned. “So what else is new,” and walked out of the building.

When the revolving door stilled, Marv said, “Our estate lawyers have offices here, we’re trying to figure out how grateful our progeny will be if we do things the right way.” He turned grim. “That Sykes woman, some mess, huh? Can’t believe Willa was involved, you work with someone all those years …”

I said, “She put on a good show.”

“She was like one of those sitcom moms from the fifties. Bringing fresh cookies. I figured she had a brood of her own back home. Turns out she didn’t. Damned lunatic. What was it, like one of those crazy ladies cuts open the womb of another woman to steal the baby?”

“Something like that.”

“Nancy Maestro’s really freaked out. But Nancy overreacts to everything. Anyway, nice to see you.”

I said, “About Singapore—”

“Pardon? Oh, that. Sorry, I should’ve told you, deal’s off, they’ve reconciled. At least for now.”

“That’s good, Marv, because I’m going to be tied up for a while on Sykes, was going to beg off.”

His eyes wandered to the revolving door. Outside, Jeannie Applebaum smoked a cigarette. “Well then everyone’s happy. Ciao.”