UNSEEN

by Felicia Mires

  "You're sure you're all right?"

  "Yes. Is this the observation room?"

  Pemberly moved forward. "Yes, ma'am. Can I get you anything before we go inside? Water? Coffee? Coke?"

  "Nothing. Is um…Mr. Seymour here?"

  Just then the desk sergeant walked up. "Got your suspect. Where you want him?"

  "Go ahead," said Pemberly to Caleb. "We'll be inside."

  The door closed, and Caleb moved toward the sergeant. "I'll get him. Thanks."

  Forty-five minutes later, Caleb sat across from Jeffrey Seymour, with his back to Destiny Knox and the two-way mirror. A very impatient man sat across from him, drumming his fingers on the table. Caleb took his time in evaluating him. Seymour was a buttoned-up type of person with a red and blue power tie, nice charcoal gray suit, and neatly combed brown hair to the side. His eyes met Caleb's with steady regard. He might be in a hurry, but he wasn't nervous.

  "Mr. Seymour, thank you for coming in. I'm Detective Forest."

  "I wasn't given much of an option. Why am I here and why was I kept waiting so long, Detective?"

  "I needed to gather some pictures. Sorry about that."

  Caleb opened the manila envelope and slid out the stack of photos, careful not to reveal anything to Mr. Seymour. Let him wait a little longer. He pulled out the business card and stared at it. "I see you're a CPA with a local firm."

  "Yes. What's this about? I don't have any parking tickets."

  "What's your relationship with Penny Weathers?"

  "She's a good friend. We went to high school together and we go out from time-to-time."

  "When was the last occasion you saw her?"

  "I don't know. A month…two? Why?"

  "I met her next-door-neighbor this morning, Caroline Morris. Extremely friendly. Looks out the window a lot. She very specifically said that you and Penny were just business acquaintances."

  Seymour's eyes narrowed. "Ms. Morris was never privy to our conversations. Penny and I were dating for several months."

  "Were?"

  "I broke things off."

  "Why was that?"

  "We...wanted different things."

  "Oh?"

  "I was more interested in pursuing my career at this point, and she wants to settle down. After she got her grandmother's house, she was just…ready to settle."

  "I see."

  A knock sounded at the door, and Caleb turned the pictures facedown. "Excuse me a minute."

  He stepped outside to be met by one of the uniformed officers. Pemberly poked his head out of the observation room.

  The officer glanced from one to the other. "One of the neighbors two streets over saw a black SUV parked outside last night from seven to around eight. No driver. And...Jeffrey Seymour drives a black SUV."

  "Did they get the plates?" Caleb asked.

  "No."

  Caleb and Pemberly shared a look. "We've still got enough to hold him. He knew the victim and his car was seen in the vicinity."

  Miss Knox peered from behind Pemberly. "What if he has an alibi? You haven't even asked him where he was."

  "Do you want to do this interview?" asked Caleb.

  She ducked back inside the observation booth.

  Caleb walked in the interrogation room and sat across from Seymour. The man acted even more impatient, frowning and checking his watch.

  "Have you got somewhere you have to be, Mr. Seymour?"

  "Of course. It's the middle of the day. I need to be at work."

  "Where were you last night between 6 and 8?"

  "At work. Look…what is this about?"

  "You were at work until 8 o'clock at night? It isn't tax season. Why so late?"

  "We had a little celebration with a new firm of clients."

  "Can anyone verify your attendance?"

  "The building was full of people. I talked off and on, but I had some work to finish up."

  "I'll need their names."

  Seymour shoved his chair back and stood. "That's it. Should I get a lawyer? I want to know why I'm here or I'm not saying another word."

  "Sit down, Mr. Seymour."

  When the man continued to stare, Caleb shoved the photos across the table. The top one showed Penny Weathers, unseeing eyes wide open with blood trailing down from her hairline.

  Seymour gawked then stumbled back against the chair before collapsing into it. "What happened?"

  "You tell me. You say you were her boyfriend, broke things off on a bad note, and your car was seen in the vicinity during the time in question." Caleb spread the pictures across the table. "You killed her. You bashed her head in and cut out her tongue. Did she say something you didn't like? According to the neighbor, Penny didn't care too much for you, wanted to get rid of you. I guess you got rid of her."

  "That's a lie! She liked me. She's always liked me."

  "Then why did you kill her?"

  Seymour shook his head. "I didn't. I couldn't. I was at work."

  "We'll see." Caleb stood. "Meanwhile, you'll have to remain in custody."

  "No! I have things to do. You can't keep me here."

  Caleb opened the door and gestured for Seymour to follow. "The law says I can. You're a person of interest. This officer will take you to a cell."

  "I get a phone call!"

  "Sure. Call a lawyer."

  They disappeared down the hall, and the door opened to the observation room. Destiny Knox stuck out her head. "Is he gone?"

  "You got something to hide?"

  She completely ignored him as she turned to Pemberly. "That was absolutely thrilling. I thought he was gonna wet his pants or something. He looked scared to death."

  Caleb shook his head. "Not really. He looked…shocked."

  "I don't know. I like him for this." Pemberly moved into the hall. "I think he was more shocked that we found his car at the scene."

  "We didn't find his car at the scene. We found a car that resembled his. Without the plates…"

  "Yeah." Pemberly glanced at his watch. "I'll check footage of any surveillance camera between the victim's home and that suspicious car. By the way, Laurel rang while you were in there. Check your missed calls."

  Caleb pulled out his phone. Laurel had called twice. Was it about the case or their date tonight? She couldn't possibly know something this early on. He put his phone in his pocket and regarded Miss Knox. She once again watched him with wide-eyed eagerness, still at odds with the pink, teased hair and form- fitting black dress. He wasn't certain how Laurel would feel about such a visitor.

  "Come on," he said as he walked past.

  "Where are we going?"

  "Forensics."

  "You're kidding. This fast?"

  "Maybe."

  "Pemberly, check that alibi and call me."

  Caleb shoved open the fire exit door and started up the stairs. It didn't take long for Miss Knox to fall behind. Stilettos weren't exactly made for climbing.

  "Hey, slow down. Don't you have an elevator in this place?" Her voice echoed off the concrete walls.

  "We do. I never use it. It's just one floor and I need the exercise." He yanked open the door and waited for Miss Knox to pass.

  "Well, I don't. Next time, I'm taking the elevator."

  "Suit yourself. Stairs are faster."

  "Not in heels."

  They walked down a short corridor, and Caleb paused before a door. With a quick flick of his wrist, he ran his card through security and waited. The buzzer sounded, and the lock clicked. He opened the door, held out a hand to Miss Knox then followed her through.

  "Is that you, Caleb?" called a disembodied voice.

  "Yeah. You rang?"

  A white-coated figure suddenly appeared from the corner of the room. "Oh, hey. Who's your friend?" Laurel smoothed her hair before stepping forward.

  "She's not…I mean…we don't…"

  Miss Knox held out her hand. "I'm Destiny Knox. My grandfather and Captain Jonas are old fishing buddies so he's letting me follow Detective F
orest around." She smiled. "I'm writing a book."

  "Laurel Blake." Laurel shook hands briefly as she scrutinized Miss Knox. "What's the book about?" She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her chin.

  Did Laurel's body language mean something? Disbelief? Was she jealous? Caleb didn't know her well enough…yet. They'd only dated a few times. Was she sizing Miss Knox up? It wouldn't take long. Even with stilettos, Miss Knox didn't come close to matching Laurel's five-nine height. Her voice had sounded pleasant enough when she spoke. What a contrast they made, Laurel in her dress slacks and silky mauve blouse against Miss Knox in her hooker persona. Her dark curls stood on end, a direct contrast to Laurel's smooth blond chignon.

  "Murder mystery. I write fiction."

  The two women continued to regard one another, so Caleb stepped in. "You called, Laurel."

  Her head whipped around toward him. "I did. I ran some measurements from the photos you sent in. The victim was definitely facing that little side table, but here's the problem with your height scenario. You're saying a woman killer because of the shoe partial. That's definitely been planted. There's no weight on that foot when the print was made. So, it need not have been a woman."

  "Good. We just interviewed a man who might be involved."

  "Oh, I didn't say it wasn't a woman, just that there's a problem. A woman that small is strong enough to crush a skull, but the victim wasn't kneeling. Blood spatter's all wrong."

  "A short woman couldn't have reached her head to hit that angle." Miss Knox nodded. "That's very interesting. Jeffrey Seymour looked about six-one."

  "Jeffrey Seymour?" asked Laurel. "That's your male suspect?"

  "Yeah, why?" Caleb moved closer to her computer where she had a simulation of the murder running. She was right. The pattern of the blood spatter showed the victim standing.

  "No reason." Laurel turned to Miss Knox. "How did you know the suspect was over 6 foot?"

  "Uh…I saw him walk by a doorway with measurements on the frame...when the detective interviewed him."

  "And you thought to check his height?" Laurel cocked her head. "Pretty quick thinking."

  At the confusion on her face, Caleb stifled a laugh. When did Miss Knox see Jeffrey Seymour pass a ruled doorway? Had she even come out of the room when Seymour was there? More likely, she knew his height from previous experience.

  She shrugged. "Not really. At one point, he got a little aggravated with Detective Forest and stood away from the table. I'd been observing the room a long time and just….noticed when he stood by the doorframe."

  "Don't think I've ever recognized that. Some detective, I am." Caleb said with a shake of his head.

  "But that's why I'm here," said Miss Knox. "To write down everything I see. I'm especially searching for details to put in my book."

  "Well, good call," said Laurel. "A man that tall could definitely bludgeon the victim."

  "Is that it?" asked Caleb. "I need to break his alibi."

  "Is that it?" asked Laurel with a fair bit of sarcasm. "Do you know how quickly I put that data in for you, Caleb? I do have other cases from all over the county."

  He put his arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. "I appreciate being moved to the top. You're brilliant, you know."

  "Yes, I do."

  "See you at seven?"

  "I'll be ready."

  Caleb carefully avoided making eye contact with Destiny Knox as he walked out of the room. He could just hear the cogs of her brain clicking as she stared at his back. He strode to the end of the hall and punched the button for the elevator. Once inside, he leaned against the far wall and studied the leather on his loafers. They needed a good polishing.

  From the other side of the elevator, a little tap-tap sounded as Miss Knox raised and lowered her shoe. Was she nervous? Impatient? Trying to get his attention? Trying to drive him nuts?

  "What!" he asked with a little more force than warranted.

  "You're dating the lady in forensics. Definitely going in the book."

  "You can't be serious."

  "Oh, yeah. Totally."

  "We are not dating. We're just…friends."

  "Single friends of the opposite sex who go out together." She giggled. "That's a date."

  The elevator door slid open, and Caleb hurried out before he could tell Miss Knox exactly what she could do with her book. He strode to his desk, ignoring the question on Pemberly's face, and yanked his jacket off the back of the chair.

  "Anything from Laurel?" asked Pemberly.

  "Nothing definitive. I'm gonna check Seymour's alibi. You got the list of names from the office party?"

  "Right here."

  Caleb snatched it out of his hand and headed toward the door.

  "Hey!" Pemberly called. "You forget something?"

  Caleb swiveled to see Pemberly gesturing at Miss Knox. It appeared that she'd gotten her stiletto stuck in the edge of the elevator. One of the other detectives was bent beside her, one hand on her leg, the other around her ankle as he tried to pry it loose.

  Caleb stalked back to the elevator, reached down and twisted the shoe off her foot then handed it to her. "Let's go, Miss Knox."

  This time as he walked away, he heard her lopsided attempts to follow.

  "Could you slow down a minute, Detective?"

  What he'd like to do is throw her over his shoulder and haul her somewhere safe from all the appraising eyes of the men in the precinct. She really was clueless. She should have been a blonde.

  After he pulled out in traffic, she set her notebook on her lap and turned to him. "Where are we going?"

  "To interview the people that supposedly observed our suspect at work between six and eight."

  "You think he was lying?"

  "Everybody lies."

  "You?"

  He glanced at her. She'd been lying, but now wasn't the time. "Everybody in an investigation. They tell you what they think you want to hear, not necessarily everything they know. Everyone's got little secrets. If they think it has no bearing on the case, they lie."

  What would she say to that?

  "Do you ever eat?"

  "Eat?"

  "I'm hungry."

  So was he. He'd skipped breakfast. Again. "Sorry. What do you want?"

  "Anything."

  "I'm not going somewhere to eat a salad."

  She laughed. So much more musical than that silly giggle she'd been using.

  "I've got somewhere you'll love. Trust me."

  He peered at her and smiled. "Should I trust you?"

  She smiled back at him, probably the first genuine smile he'd seen.

  "Tell you what, Detective. You trust me about lunch, and I'll trust you with your driving."

  "There's nothing wrong with my driving."

  "You're a man, aren't you?"

  "That's a very sexist comment. I'll have you know I haven't gotten a ticket for close to ten years."

  "Because you're a cop."

  "When was the last time you got a ticket?"

  "Never. Hah!"

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter. What was it about Miss Knox that got under his skin? "Where are we going?"

  "Turn right on Elm."

  They drove for several minutes in silence then she pointed. "Turn left then pull over."

  Caleb followed her directions and slowed. "A hot dog stand?"

  She grinned. "Trust me. I'll order."

  He shrugged, and she got out of the car. By the time he reached her, she was in a line behind three other people. It progressed quickly, and she greeted the middle-aged man with a wide smile. "Hi, Ralph!"

  "Destiny, darlin', how're you doin'?"

  "Great. How's Sue?"

  "Just as beautiful as ever. You know my wife. Want the usual?"

  "Two."

  His head came up, and he scrutinized Caleb. "Two, huh?"

  "This is Detective Forest."

  His hand shot out to take Caleb's in a strong grip. "Ralph Miller. You better treat her right,
Detective, or me and her dad will come after ya."

  "I'll take good care of her." Caleb smiled then glanced at Miss Knox. She was enjoying this.

  Ralph returned to his food preparations, rattling on about his grandkids and how Destiny should come by, until he suddenly thrust a paper bag at them. "Here ya go. What are ya drinkin', Detective?"

  "Bottled water."

  "Live a little."

  "Dr. Pepper."

  "Now, we're talkin'."

  Ralph handed two sodas to Destiny then waved. "Bye, sweetie."

  "Bye, Ralph. Tell Daddy I came by."

  When they reached the car, Caleb opened her door, waited for her to settle with the food and drinks then walked around. He had no idea what to do now. Did she expect him to eat in the car? At their suspect's office?

  As soon as he climbed in, she spoke up. "Would you like to go to the park around the corner?"

  "Sounds good."

  When they reached a quiet bench under the branches of a leafless tree, Miss Knox radiated happiness and goodwill as she slid out of her coat. Smiling, she offered him two wrapped hot dogs. Should he be apprehensive? He didn't particularly care for jalapenos or sauerkraut. What if she'd loaded it down?

  "Open it and eat, Detective. It's not going to bite you."

  Caleb unwrapped the offering and sampled it. Good. Really good. "Mmm. Slaw dog." He said after he chewed. "I like it. So, why is Ralph going to tell your dad you came by? You don't see your father?"

  "That was my dad's office. Ralph sees dad every day."

  "Your dad owns the building."

  She shrugged. "How far are we from Jeffrey Seymour's office?"

  "It's a couple of streets over. Do you live at home?"

  "No. Do you?"

  Caleb chuckled. He sounded like a cop. "No, I moved out when I started college, never went back. How 'bout you?"

  She crumpled the wrapper of one hot dog and started another, ignoring the frank assessment of passersby. "I attended college, received my degree, did some time at the newspaper, a little freelance…then I wrote a book, several books."

  "And you can live on that?"

  She grimaced. "Don't look so surprised. I'm not a complete idiot."

  "I never said…"

  "No, but you took one look and labeled me." She grinned. "Admit it."

  "Maybe, but you look so…"

  "Colorful. I get it. I'll work on that tomorrow. Ready?"