Killer

CHAPTER 16

At the end of the next day I phoned Milo. No call-back.

With no active therapy cases, my workload consisted of writing up two reports. That left plenty of time for playing with the dog and downtime with Robin.

Robin was busy and Blanche’s high-rate behavior was the sleep of the just.

That left plenty of time for thinking.

I felt like calling Efren Casagrande, knew it was wrong.

Ditto, Cherie Sykes.

The following morning at nine, Milo called my private line.

I said, “Lieutenant who?”

“Touchy, touchy.”

“How’s the case?”

“Moving along,” he said. “If you call idling moving. And guess what, you can now get involved.”

“What changed?”

“Hour and a half Rivera and I are interviewing your amigo Effo Casagrande. He’s a savvy guy, which is to be expected seeing as crime’s his chosen career. Has hired a lawyer who’s informed us that Mister Casagrande is under no obligation to talk to us. However, Mister Casagrande will deign to donate some of his precious time if Doctor Delaware is present. Apparently, he misses you. Must be nice to be wanted. Unlike ol’ Connie who no one seems to give a shit about. Including her brother up in Silicon Valley who I just got off the phone with. He reacted like I’d given him the weather forecast. Said he’d get down soon as his schedule frees up. Meanwhile, the body molders at the crypt.”

“Anything interesting from the autopsy?”

“Nope, stabbed fatally then strangled for good measure. No sign she fought back.”

“Given the chance to fight, she would’ve,” I said. “So she was taken by surprise.”

“That’s the way I see it. Someone who didn’t scare her.”

“That doesn’t apply to Efren.”

“But it might apply to Efren’s homeboy Guzman because he cleans her office and she’s already done business with him. And if that doesn’t work out, I’ve got Sis.”

“Have you told her about the murder?”

“Didn’t think that was advisable. And obviously you haven’t told her, either. So please don’t. See you at ten thirty.”