True Blue

CHAPTER 55

ROY SLID into the front seat of the Honda. “You look nice and refreshed.”

“Beats the crap out of the prison showers.”

“Got the photo of Watkins?”

She pulled it from her jacket and handed it over.

“He doesn’t look like an escort.”

“What is an escort supposed to look like?”

“I don’t know. Sort of like a model.”

“Maybe she went for brains and sensitivity over hunky looks.”

“I’m assuming you do the same?”

She hit the gas but the old Honda merely puttered away.

“Just doesn’t project the same image as the Ducati, does it?” noted Roy.

“It was either this or the Bentley.”

“What tipped you that he wasn’t the real Watkins?”

“He didn’t want to go down to the Starbucks to talk even though that would have been the safest thing to do from his perspective. I think he was afraid someone from the building who knew the real Watkins might have overheard us and fingered him as an imposter.”

“Or he just doesn’t like coffee.”

“And the guy didn’t match the apartment. Three-hundred-dollar shoes, a Hickey Freeman shirt, and professional manicure do not compute with particleboard furniture. And the place had been tossed. Didn’t you see the indentations in the carpet from where the hutch, the credenza, the TV cabinet, and the shelving system had been moved?”

“Uh, no, I guess I missed that.”

“You notice he grilled us on what we knew and what we were guessing about? We weren’t interrogating him so much as he was us.”

“So who are they?”

“The only thing I know is they’re good.”

“What would they have been looking for?”

“Whatever Diane Tolliver left with Watkins.”

“So that’s why you told him you were hanging up the investigation.”

She nodded. “It buys us some time. And for all I know that dude is mixed up with the guys who were trying to kill me last night. If they think we’re harmless and raising the white flag, well, that’s not a bad thing.”

“So it looks like this might go a lot further than the Captain. They took his DNA, by the way.”

“Let me guess. They used the fresh cup of coffee ploy?”

“How’d you know?”

“They’ll check it against the sperm they found on Diane and that’ll clear him.”

“So it was a rape?”

“Apparently so.”

“But, Mace, then it was probably just a random thing. Otherwise why would the bandit rape her?”

Mace gave him an exasperated look. “To make it seem like a random crime, Roy.”

“But they left sperm behind?”

“And you can bet it won’t match up to any database. Just like a weapon can be sterilized, so can sperm, no pun intended.”

“Okay.”

“If it is connected I’m wondering why the shooters came after me.”

“You were at the crime scene.”

“Along with a hundred other cops.”

“Okay, you’ve been hanging out with me.”

“So why not target you? You worked with her. You were down there in Six D all alone waiting for me. They could have easily popped you.”

“That’s nice to know.”

“We need to get into her house.”

“Diane’s?”

“I struck out in her office. There has to be something at the house.”

“I’m sure the police searched it.”

“Then we need to search it again.”

“Mace, if we get caught, you’ll have violated your probation. Can’t your sister help us?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve got my reasons.”

“I’d like to hear them.”

Mace sighed. “She’s not exactly thrilled with me right now. So how do we get into Tolliver’s house? Do you have a key?”

“No, why would I have a key to her house?”

“Well, we have some time to muddle that. Right now we’re heading over to check out some stuff for Abe.”

“Is that why you wanted me along?”

She glanced at him. “What, you mean for protection?”

“I’m not that stupid. I clearly failed the bodyguard test.”

“Not when you put your car between me and the shooter. Those rounds could easily have hit you. That took real courage. But I thought you might enjoy hanging out with me. And bring you back to your old, wild CJA days.”

“Long way from Georgetown.”

“A lifetime, Roy. A lifetime.”