The Wedding Guest

Chapter 44

Ideally, approaching a violent offender is a carefully planned scheme. But no matter how well thought-out, fraught with anxiety.

I’d demolished that by urging fast action on Thirsty Nobach’s premises. Complicated matters further by suggesting two simultaneous raids.

It churned my guts.

It made Milo serene.

As if some seldom-utilized bundle of nerve-fibers in his forebrain had been activated, he stretched, yawned, and reclined in his chair as he summoned Moe Reed, Sean Binchy, and Alicia Bogomil to the interview room where we’d talked to the newlyweds.

Three separate calls, talking to each detective in a smooth, silky tone I’d only heard when he finished a serious meal enhanced by alcohol.

Not what the kids were used to. Binchy and Bogomil paused before saying, “Okay.”

Reed said, “You all right, L.T.?”

“Peachy.”

He loped to the room, arms swinging, whistling an almost-tune, held the door open. “Go in, back in a sec.”

While he was gone, the D’s arrived.

I said, “He went to get something.”

They looked at the four chairs, remained on their feet.

“Got to save one for him,” said Binchy.

“He okay?” said Reed.

“Thinking mode,” I said.

“That’s always a good idea,” said Bogomil, smiling wryly.

Heads turned as Milo charged in toting a whiteboard on an easel. “Class is in session, kids. Some lecture but mostly lab. Sit.”

Three butts hit three chairs. I was fourth.

He walked up to the board. “Here’s the deal.”

Marker in hand, he summed up the evidence on Nobach and jotted down the basics. Three pairs of wide eyes.

“This just happened?” said Bogomil.

“Fresh off the griddle, Alicia. We’ve got one definite residence for the suspect and one likely — a unit in that dorm his daddy owns. Judge Boudreaux says no warrant is necessary because of overwhelming evidence Nobach intends harm to Amanda Burdette. Think of this as an emergency welfare check.”

“Because of what he wrote on his website,” said Reed.

“Because of Dr. Delaware’s educated opinion about what he wrote. Onward: You and Alicia will be handling Strathmore after I set up entrance for you with the new manager. Do your best not to be noticed. In fact, wait in the car until I tell you. At best, the search will dud out. At worst, you’ll encounter a murderous psychopath, so be careful. Once I get you in, I’m over to the condo where you’ll go as soon as we’re finished here, Sean. It’ll take time to find side-street parking so you might not beat me by much. If you do get there early, take a stroll on Wilshire near the building but same rule: Don’t get spotted. Especially by the doormen, one of whom is ex-Pacific Division. He may be righteous but after working with rich people he may not. Once I arrive, I’ll deal with him. Next item.”

He listed the tags and description of Thurston Nobach’s M5. “All of you look out for it. You see him driving to or from one of his cribs, initiate a tail and let me know.”

Clicking on three cellphones as the car data got copied.

“Any questions?”

Binchy looked at Bogomil, who looked at Reed.

Reed flexed massive arms and smiled. “One thing, Prof. Is this going to be on the final?”

When we were all out in the hall, Binchy looked at me. “Doc going to be part of it, Loot?”

Milo said, “Protected and served by me.”

Bogomil said, “Good. This piece of shit sounds whack.”