by Maci Grant
“Look, I realize now it might not have been the best choice, but it didn’t seem like a bad idea at the time. Anyway, I saw this man climb out of Hilda’s bedroom window.”
“And that wasn’t important?”
“After I found out about Marta, I didn’t think so. I figured that outing an affair between Hilda and some random person would only further hurt Oliver and do nothing to help the case.”
“Oh, is that the problem? Did you get yourself a little crush on this Oliver?”
“No.” Blu narrowed her eyes. “Not at all, thank you very much.”
“Then why do you care so much if he gets hurt?”
“I don’t think anyone should ever lose their whole family. His father is dead, his girlfriend is in jail for killing his father, and now he’s going to find out his mother is having an affair?”
“That is rough.” Chief Pitman nodded. “So, why are you telling me now?”
“I’m telling you because I saw Hilda and a man—who I believe to be the same man—at the skating rink this afternoon. AJ said that his name is Jack and he works at the shop that Hilda owns. If you ruled out Hilda as a suspect because he claimed to be at the shop with her, then I thought it could be possible that his claim was false.”
“Wow.” Chief Pitman frowned. “That does change things. I will have to go back and look that information over—which I probably would have done first thing this morning if you’d told me then.”
“I’m sorry.” Blu sighed. “Maybe I’m not so good at this crime-solving thing.”
“Hey, don’t say that.” He smiled a little. “You have brought me a lot of good information. You just have to give me the benefit of the doubt that I really am a human being. I have a heart too, Blu. I don’t want to destroy lives. I want to solve crimes and I want to make sure that the guilty are prosecuted.”
“At least we have that in common.” Blu smiled a little. “I will try to be more forthcoming.”
“In the spirit of that, I have some interesting information as well. Information that changes the entire dynamic of this case.”
“What’s that?”
“The medical examiner found something of interest in Emile’s inside jacket pocket. I guess that it was overlooked the first time they went through his clothes.”
“What was it?”
“A letter from someone. It threatened a lawsuit against his business. The language was quite harsh.”
“Do you think that had something to do with why he was on the top of the lighthouse?”
“I think Emile was in over his head in more than one way. To be honest with you, if it wasn’t for the medical examiner ruling this a murder I would be tempted to believe that Emile killed himself. He faced financial ruin and apparently his wife was having an affair. He had a lot to be upset about and not much to be happy about.”
“But it’s impossible that he killed himself?”
“It seems that way. The letter also doesn’t change the fact that Marta was there at the time of the murder.”
“Can you trace the letter to the person who wrote it?”
“We’re working on it, but it was typed and it wasn’t signed. So there’s not much chance that we will be able to pin it down.”
“Have you talked to Hilda about it?”
“Not yet. Now that I know about Jack, I can use that information and this letter to pressure her a bit. I’d like to see if I can rattle her. I don’t like it when someone lies to me. It’s clear that Hilda was hiding her relationship with Jack from me.”
Blu tilted her head back and forth. “True, but that might be because she was ashamed, or she didn’t want Oliver to find out.”
“I guess when I speak to her we might be able to find some more information. From now on, you need to let me know everything that you find out. Understand?”
“Yes. There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Oliver knows that I’m the one who gave the information to create the sketch of Marta. I don’t think he’s telling the truth about knowing that Marta was there.”
“Well, Marta hasn’t spoken a word. She refuses to say anything to anyone, no matter how much we pressure her. She hasn’t even asked for a phone call.”
“That’s interesting, don’t you think?” Blu frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if her family is as connected as they seem, don’t you think she would be turning to them for help?”
“It’s possible. Or they might have trained her never to speak to a cop, no matter what.”
“True.” Blu nodded. “You’ll let me know how the interrogation goes?”
“Yes, I’ll update you.”
“Thanks.” Blu smiled. “A team?”
“A team.” He held his hand out to her.
Blu took it in a firm handshake. When she released it she was reminded of the way Oliver’s hand shook when she’d handed him the beer. It struck her that he might not be afraid of being arrested, he might have been afraid that he was the next to die. If he knew about the letter that his father had received, maybe he thought that he was in danger too.
Blu sighed as she realized that sorting through all of the lies was going to be a larger task than finding actual evidence.
Chapter 21
As Blu walked back to her car, her mind returned to Marta. If Oliver really didn’t know that she’d been at the lighthouse, could she have been the one that Emile was meeting with? Blu’s stomach churned at the thought.
She sat in her car in the parking lot. She knew that she should head back to Maddie’s and pick up the kids, but she also knew that they were safe and happy with her friend. After her conversation with Chief Pitman, she was even more confused. With Hilda and Jack added to the suspect list, Marta still couldn’t be eliminated as the main suspect. If Marta wouldn’t speak up to defend herself and Oliver wouldn’t stop lying, then it was up to Blu to find out the truth about both of them.
So far she knew a good amount about Oliver’s family. She needed to dig up more information about Marta.
She pulled out her phone and called Maddie.
“Hi, Blu. Everything okay?”
“Yes, but I have a question for you. You said you found some information about Marta on the Internet. Would you be able to find out who she spent time with? Maybe a childhood friend or a family member?”
“Hang on, I can get that right now.” She heard some keyboard strokes in the background. “Okay, are you there?”
“Yes, I’m here. Did you find something that fast?”
“Social media makes it pretty easy to find out who is important to people. Marta makes it even easier because there are so few people. First, of course, there’s Oliver, then she mentions a cousin named Juan.”
“Is there any information you can get me on Juan?”
“How about his place of employment?”
“That would be great.”
“Mitch’s Motors. I’ll text you the address.”
“Maddie, you’re amazing.”
“Keep that in mind, because all of this free babysitting is going to get paid back when Brennan gets together with his role-playing card game group.”
“Oh, wow.”
“What was that?”
“I mean, yes, of course. Thank you, Maddie.”
“That’s better.” Maddie hung up the phone.
A moment later Blu received a text from her. She typed the address into her GPS and began driving. With the police station in her rearview mirror it occurred to her that she should let Chief Pitman know what she was doing. She bit her lip as she thought about it. She only intended to have a quick conversation with the guy.
When she drove up to the mechanic’s shop, there was only one car in the parking lot. The white lettering on the glass indicated that the shop would close within the hour.
Blu tugged open the door and stepped inside. There were a few chairs grouped around a small table as well as a counter that wrapped aroun
d what looked like a storage area. She walked up to the counter and rang a small bell.
“We’re closing.” The man that walked up to the counter was tall and rail thin. He peered at her through thick glasses. “I can make you an appointment for tomorrow.”
“Oh, no thank you. I’m only here to speak to one of your employees.”
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “You a cop or an angry girlfriend?”
“Neither.” Blu smiled. “Just an old friend.”
“Sure. Who are you looking for?”
“Juan.”
“Oh.” He nodded. “He’s in the garage. But we’re closing up soon. You can go around.” He pointed to the side door.
“Thanks. And you are?
“Mitch.” He pointed to the sign.
“Oh, of course.” Blu smiled. “Thanks for your help, Mitch.”
“Just don’t make me regret it. I don’t want any fights going on here.”
“I promise. No drama.” Blu hoped that it would be the case.
She walked out through the side door and around toward the garage. The clink of metal against metal drew her attention. She poked her head around the corner of the open garage door. Although she didn’t see anyone, she followed the sound.
She paused behind a jacked-up car. “Hello?”
“We’re closed.” The voice drifted out from under the car.
“Please, I just need a minute of your time.”
She heard a labored sigh. A moment later a man rolled out from under the car.
He looked up at her. “What is it?”
Blu noticed his large size. His arms and chest were thicker than any man’s she’d ever seen before. “Do you know Marta?”
“My cousin?” He ruffled a hand back through his sweaty hair. “Yeah, I know her.”
“I’d just like to know what you think of her.”
“That’s what you interrupted me for? Are you aware that some people have to work for a living?”
“I work.”
“Oh, yeah? What do you do?” He got to his feet and pulled a towel from his pocket. He stared at her as he rubbed some of the grease from his hands.
“I’m a nanny.” Blu struggled to sound tough in the same moment that she admitted her profession.
“Huh?” He glanced around. “Where are the kids?”
Blu blinked. “Well, I’m not working right at this moment. Well, actually I am, but they’re with a friend.”
“A friend?” He chuckled and shoved the towel back into his pocket. “Doesn’t sound like working to me.”
“Listen, I was just hoping that you could give me an idea of what Marta is like. Was she involved in your family’s business?”
He squinted at her. “You mean the shop?”
“No, that’s not what I mean. The other business.”
He chuckled. “Well, you’re one brave nanny, aren’t you?” He shook his head. “What do you know about the family business?”
“I know that it might be the reason a good man ended up dead.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Marta had nothing to do with that. It’s ridiculous that they arrested her. She had nothing to do with anything the family is involved in.”
“And you?” Blu folded her arms across her chest.
“And me?” He smirked. “What’s wrong? Can’t you make a snap judgment from my muscles and my tattoos?”
“I’m asking.” Blu kept her feet planted on the ground despite the fact that her instincts pleaded with her to run.
“Okay. Well, I used to be. Alright? I’m not going to admit to anything in particular, but yes, I used to be involved.”
“What happened to change your mind?”
“Marta happened. When she was born—you know, she was just this cute little baby. No one thought twice about her. But from the moment she could talk, I knew she was going to change everything. She was bold, always telling people what they were doing wrong—that they should do better, be better. But not in a mean way—like she believed in them. She believed in me for some strange reason.” He laughed. “It was crazy, but that kid got under my skin. She got me to go straight. Now, look what she gets for it. She’s locked away because of her last name.”
“She was at the scene of a murder.”
“If she was there, it wasn’t to kill anyone. If she was there, it was to protect someone.” He held her gaze. “Make no mistake, Marta isn’t the villain. She’s the hero. No one will ever be able to tell me different.”
“Maybe she gave in to the pressure of her family? Maybe she realized she couldn’t escape her last name?”
Chapter 22
Juan drew a deep breath, then blew it back out slowly. “Marta was in love. Okay? She wouldn’t do anything to ruin that. Here’s the thing that is going to make it even harder for her to look innocent. Emile, Oliver’s father, was a real jerk.”
“What?” Blu raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“He was always trying to break Marta and Oliver up. In fact, he even threatened to cut Oliver out of his will if he continued to date her. Poor Oliver would never have his chance to run the hot dog cart.” He rolled his eyes. “But Oliver didn’t care.”
“Wait, why would Emile have a problem with Marta?”
“Because of her family. He was afraid that Marta was involved—that she’d pull Oliver into it, I guess. He didn’t even give her a chance. Marta was sure that Oliver would leave her, but he didn’t.”
“Did Oliver ever make any threats against his father? Was he angry at him?”
“Oliver?” Juan raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think that kid has ever said a disrespectful word. He wasn’t angry at his father. He wished that he would accept Marta, but he wasn’t angry at him.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Sure I’m sure. I wouldn’t have let Marta be with any hothead. There’s been enough pain in our family. She’s too good for that.”
“So you’re quite protective of her?”
“Yes, I am. She’s been the only bright light in my life.”
“It must have really bothered you that Emile treated her so harshly then.” Blu met his eyes. “Marta is innocent and Emile treated her like a common criminal.”
“Now you’re putting words into my mouth,” said Juan.
“Am I wrong?” Blu watched him. “I mean, Marta might as well have been scum on Emile’s shoe. He didn’t think she was good enough for his son. Marta was nothing but trash to him. And maybe he was right. Maybe she saw her chance to get rid of an obstacle in her life and she decided to take it. Maybe murder runs in her blood.”
“You shut your mouth!” Juan lunged forward so fast that Blu had to jump back to avoid him. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Marta is a good person! She would never hurt anyone.”
Pinned between Juan’s angry stare and the concrete wall of the garage, Blu had nowhere to go. Despite her fear, she still wanted the truth.
“Not like you, right, Juan?” She glared into his eyes. “Not like her big cousin who would do anything to protect her. Maybe she cried to you one too many times about the way that Emile treated her. Maybe you decided to pay her back for being the light of your life the only way that you knew how.”
“You’re wrong.” He didn’t move an inch away from her. “You’re wrong about everything.”
“I don’t think I am, Juan.” Blu searched his eyes. “I think Marta may be innocent, but I think you couldn’t hold back. Emile is dead because he hurt the best thing in your life. Isn’t that right?”
“Is there a problem here?” Mitch stood at the entrance of the garage. When he saw Blu pinned against the wall he rushed forward. “Back off, Juan!” He grabbed the large man’s shoulder. “Do you want to end up behind bars again?”
Juan snarled at Blu and pulled away from Mitch’s touch. “She’s telling lies, Mitch. That’s all it is.”
“I gave you a chance to straighten out your life, Juan. Don’t make me wish I hadn’t. Get out of here!”
“But I’m not finished—”
“—Oh, you’re finished!” Mitch scowled.
Despite the fact that Mitch was frail in comparison, Juan lowered his head. He turned and walked out of the garage without another word.
“I’m sorry, miss. He’s really not a bad guy. I don’t know what got into him.”
“It’s alright.” Blu narrowed her eyes. “Did you say behind bars again?”
“Yes. Juan has a few arrests under his belt, but he grew up in a rough area. So did I. I try to give the guys who want to change their lives a chance.”
“Was he here with you two days ago?”
“No. We were closed.” He frowned. “What has he gotten himself into now?”
“Has he been acting strange at all? Maybe making more phone calls than usual?”
“No, nothing. He’s a hard worker—always early and never a problem.” He paused for a moment, then winced.
“What is it?” Blu studied him. She had a feeling that Mitch was much more comfortable talking to her than he would be to any police officer.
“There was one strange thing. I caught him in my office last week. None of my guys are allowed in my office. It’s where I keep the petty cash and customer’s information. It’s just a precaution I take because you never know who you can trust.”
“I understand.” Blu nodded. “What was he doing?”
“I thought at first that he was stealing from me, and I told him that. I threatened to fire him. But he was only printing something out. The cash drawer was locked. Nothing was missing.”
“Did you see what he printed?”
“It was a letter. He said he was applying for some kind of technical school. I thought it was a good thing, so I let it slide. But to be honest with you, it bothered me that he didn’t just ask me instead of sneaking around.”
“He doesn’t have a computer at home?”
Mitch laughed and shook his head. “You haven’t spent a lot of time poor, have you?”
Blu frowned. “I thought his family was pretty well off.”
“His family, if you want to call them that, sure. All dirty money. But Juan left all of that. He was staying in a room barely bigger than my office. He didn’t have anything, but he didn’t care. Whatever you think he’s involved in, I really hope that you’re wrong. Juan might have a temper, but I’ve never doubted that he was trying to make a real change.”
