Killer Takes All

CHAPTER 44

Friday, March 18, 2005

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

6:30 a.m.

“I’m not ready to go home,” Billie said, sliding into the Jaguar’s passenger side seat. “I love that room. I love being waited on. I love the coast.”

“Stop whining. You have a business to watch over. Not to mention a husband.”

She made a face. “Rocky’s attitude won’t be changed yet. I need another couple of days for him to really appreciate me.”

From what she’d heard about Rocky St. Martin, really appreciating Billie would take more energy than the man had left. Even on a good day.

“Face it,” Stacy said, “the trip was a bust. Not only that, while I was here, living in the lap of luxury, the playing cards turned up dead.”

“Now who’s whining?”

Stacy scowled at her. “Stay if you’d like, I’m going home.”

Billie sighed dramatically, slipped on her sunglasses and leaned her head back against the rest. “Connor will be despondent.”

Stacy angled her a glance as she started the car. “And you?”

“I love my husband.”

She said it as if she meant it, and Stacy felt her mouth drop in surprise.

“What?”

“Nothing, it’s just…I-”

“Thought I’d married him for his money? Because he’s so much older than I am? Why would I do that? I have money of my own.”

“Sorry,” Stacy murmured, easing away from the curb, “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“You didn’t. But if I’m going to be monogamous, which I am, at least give me credit for it.”

“You’ve got it.”

“Thank you.” She sighed again. “Damn, I’m going to miss the coast.”

Shaking her head, Stacy opened her cell, punched in Malone’s number.

He answered right away. “Malone here.”

“I’m on my way to the airport.”

“Miss me that much, do you?”

“What did you mean about Leo being hip deep in-”

“That was knee-deep. As in looking guilty as hell.”

“Leo guilty? That’s not right.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.” His voice took on an edge. “I’ve got to go.”

“Wait! How good’s the evidence?”

“Let’s put it this way, doll. By the time you touch down in Louisiana, you may be unemployed.”

He ended the call, and she frowned. “That’s wrong.”

“What?” Billie asked.

“Malone says they’ve got evidence that Leo’s guilty.”

“Of what? Really bad hair?”

“I like his hair.”

“You do not!” Billie faced her, aghast. “He looks like he stuck a finger in an electrical socket.”

“Does not. It’s all crazy and windblown. Like a surfer’s.”

“Or a deranged killer’s-”

Billie bit the word back, realizing how inappropriate it was in light of the situation. “Bad hair or not, the man seems pretty harmless to me.”

“Me, too.”

Stacy fell silent. She glanced at the clock on the Jag’s dash and swore. She needed to speak to Chief Battard, ASAP. “You don’t happen to know Connor’s home number?”

“Sure I do. Have it right here in my cell.”

“Could you call him? I need to ask one last question. I think it’s important.”

Billie did as she asked; several moments later Stacy greeted the sleepy-sounding police chief. “I apologize for calling so early, but I have one last question. I didn’t see the answer in the file.”

“Shoot,” he said, yawning.

“What was Danson’s dentist’s name? Do you remember?”

“Sure,” he said. “Dr. Mark Carlson. Great guy.”

She glanced at the Jag’s dashboard clock. They had plenty of time until their flight; even with the drive and returning the rental car. Enough, anyway, for a quick call on a dentist. “Do you think there’s any way I could speak with him before I leave?”

“It’d be damn difficult, Ms. Killian. Dr. Mark’s dead. He was killed during a robbery.”

“When?”

“Last year.” He paused. “It was Carmel’s only murder in 2004. We never solved it.”

A moment later, Stacy ended the call. “Gotcha, asshole,” she said, pulling off the road to turn around.

“What?”

“Remember when you told me you’d always wanted to be a spy?” Billie turned to her, eyebrows raised. “You bet I do.”

“How would you feel about spending a few more days in paradise?”