Green Tea

by Sheila Horgan

  Teagan thought about it for a minute, “What about what’s-her-face?”

  I smiled, “Good point.” I turned toward Steph, “Louis had a physical therapist. She was there at least a couple of times a week. Why weren’t her prints all over the place? At the very least they should have been on that table.”

  Steph didn’t seem overly concerned, “I’ll ask.”

  “Here’s my big question. Why did Jerkface keep pushing?”

  Steph didn’t even write it down, “Pushing?”

  “Yeah. I’d cleaned out the place. It would have been ready for sale. He said himself if I didn’t find something no one else would, so why did he keep pushing at me until we finally found the keys and the memory cards? Why do that? He’s a cop. He knows that in this county alone there are almost a hundred unsolved murders, we looked that up today, crimes go unsolved all the time. If he and his sister just had this vague feeling that Louis did something wrong, didn’t know what it was, why keep pushing? Why go through this big farce to get me in there to clean? If they were looking for something, they had all the time in the world to look for it at their leisure. And ya know what else, I found those journals pretty easily. If they were really a scrapbook of death, in a cop’s house, you would think he would have hidden them better.”

  Steph had an answer for that one, “He probably didn’t expect to get in a car accident and die.”

  “True, so why hide the memory cards in the bathroom? If he’s really our bad guy, then why go to so much trouble to hide the cards, outside his home, and leave the books right there for anybody to find? Why wouldn’t he either hide the journals in a better place, or hide the memory cards in his own house, or in a safety deposit box at the bank, or something.”

  “I have a question.” Since Jessie rarely says anything, it got everyone’s attention. “You mentioned the day that you and Teagan kicked Jerkface’s butt…” He gave Teagan a look that told the whole room he didn’t approve of her patented Teagan the Terrible attack, then continued, “that brings to mind his claim that he was in the room while you were in the condo, and that he was in the room again when he explained that day to you, Cara, did you clean the room after those two encounters?”

  “There really wasn’t anything to clean.”

  “Then why weren’t his fingerprints in that room?”

  “Good question.”

  “If you have personal knowledge of him being in the room, and his fingerprints were not in it, and the physical therapists prints were not in the room, that lends itself to the room being wiped down after Louis was dead, yet Louis’s prints were there. On television, they make things like that look common and easy, but it is neither. Why would someone selectively wipe down the room if our suspect were already dead? Who has the skill, the desire and the opportunity?”

  “Good point.”

  “Further, if Jerkface’s sister was intimate enough with Louis, a friend or more, to warrant him making her place of employment his beneficiary, why do we have no fingerprints from her? Did you find any notations in his files? Any indication that she was a part of his life? A picture? Anything?”

  “No.”

  He looked at Steph, “Do you not find that strange?”

  “Now that you mention it.”

  Jessie continued, “The problem, as I see it, is that you are looking for things that are there, when you should be looking for things that are missing. It is nearly impossible, in this day and age, not to leave a footprint in the lives of people we know. That is why you must choose your friends wisely, your enemies carefully. If the relationship between Louis and Jerkface’s sister was more than a random event, if they were in contact regularly, there should be a record. What about phone records?”

  “All good points. I’m sure some of these points are being addressed. When it appeared that Louis had simply died in a one-car crash, there was no reason to check his phone records, and now that more information has become available to us, more checking must be done.”

  Jessie spoke quietly, “Steph, I am not naïve enough to believe that you are sharing all the data and information that you have available to you, and I respect that, but the physical safety of these people is of personal interest. I guarantee you that if I find out that you are using them for bait, it would not bode well for your career or future.”

  Steph blinked a couple of times, but didn’t argue.

  AJ’s eyebrows went up almost as high as mine, but neither of us commented. Didn’t seem to be the appropriate time. It did, however, send a pretty clear message and change the whole dynamic of the discussion.

  Steph asked, “Any more questions?”

  “Actually, a couple. All I know about forensics, I’ve learned on TV, and I really don’t watch much TV, so this might be a dumb question, but I thought that you pretty much couldn’t leave a crime scene without leaving some evidence somewhere. I saw a thing on TV the other day that said that if you breathe on something they can get your DNA off of it. They said that once that evidence is collected you can rule out a person or prove they were there, based on the stuff collected. If that’s the case, don’t you think it important to figure out where the crimes were committed and find the girls?”

  “That’s in process.”

  “You know, I hadn’t thought about it until right this second, but looking back at everything, why were we allowed to have those journals for so long? That’s always bothered me. If those journals are part of the whole thing, wouldn’t the cops have taken them a long time ago, and if Jerkface is just a good cop trying to do his job, why did he let me keep them? He knows the rules, and that has to be against the rules. Doesn’t it make more sense that he came over to my apartment to read them with me, so that if his fingerprints showed up on them later, he had a witness to say that those fingerprints got on the journals at my apartment, not when he was writing the journals?”

  Teagan looked at me, “That’s a bit of a leap, but it could be true. Kind of sideways, keep going, you always do sideways best.”

  “Okay, what about when Jerkface was here dripping on my carpet, my neighbor chased him out the door and lost him, he circled around to where he’d seen Jerkface’s car, and it was gone. He is an ex-spy special forces guy, he knows what he’s doing, and he said that he thought that Jerkface had someone waiting for him, and that they had a plan, and when that went to hell, they had a Plan B. To me that’s more a bad guy thing than a good guy thing, cause if he was a good guy, and a cop, he wouldn’t be sneaking around and he wouldn’t just let himself into my apartment. And why aren’t the cops more involved?”

  Steph didn’t respond, so I continued, “And why is all this stuff being discussed in photography studios and my living room instead of the police station or wherever the law enforcement guys you are working with file their paperwork?”

  Still no response.

  For some reason, that last lack of response, pissed me off.

  “I’m not stupid. I know when I don’t know what I need to know even if I don’t know what that is. There’s a lot more going on here than you’re telling us, I get that, what I don’t get is how the hell I’m supposed to get out of whatever it is I’m accidently in the middle of. If you would be so kind as to explain that little detail to me, we’d be good.”

  Steph stood up. “Cara, I’ll call just as soon as I have something to tell you. You have an order in force regarding Officer Branden. Should you see him, call 911. Tell your family members the same. I will have the paperwork available first thing in the morning, you can pick it up at my office, or I will be happy to drop it off here or at the studio.”

  Without further comment, she was gone.

  I whipped around to ask what the hell that was all about, and to find out what was the whole thing with Jessie and his obviously valid warning, and before I could say a word, Teagan looked at me, pointed her skinny little finger right at me, and said, “Don’t.”

  She and Jessie stood up and left.

  I stared at AJ, “Wha
t just happened?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What was that whole thing with Jessie?”

  “Cara, just what does he do for a living?”

  “I’m not sure. I thought it was computers maybe?

  “Must be a hell of a computer if the cops have his fingerprints and he can intimidate a lawyer.”

  “There is something not right there, I…”

  There was a knock at the door. I started toward it, assuming that it was probably Teagan wanting the rest of her Sin, but AJ cut me off and went to the door first, which is probably a good thing since neither one of us locked it when everyone evacuated, so much for heightened security.

  AJ looked out the peephole, “It’s your spy-guy.”

  “Please let him in.”

  AJ opened the door and let my across-the-hall neighbor in. “I saw you had company, didn’t want to interrupt, but they all seemed to leave in a hurry, I was sitting out on the steps having me a coffee, so I thought I’d check in. The whacko in jail yet?”

  “I’m not sure. I thought they were going to arrest him this morning, but I’m not sure if they did or if they just interviewed him or what happened. You want some Sin?”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s my sister’s favorite dessert. It’s called Sin. Enough sugar to put you in a coma if you are pre-diabetic. I can make some tea.”

  “That would be great. Thanks.”

  I put the kettle on, grabbed a couple of plates and set them out. The guys sat at the dining table and AJ did a quick recap of the whole thing.”

  “Something isn’t right.”

  “That’s what we thought.”

  “You want me to check with the chief?”

  “I don’t know, what do you think AJ?”

  “I think we have too many people running around and somebody is going to trip over somebody else. I think for now, we should hold off on calling in anyone else.”

  “That’s reasonable.”

  “But if we could ask you a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Could you just keep an eye out? You’re the one that noticed the last time things when crazy around here. You have Cara’s number; let me give you my number. If you see anything at all, any time at all, could you give us a call, or a text?”

  “I’ll do it.”

  They exchanged numbers.

  My neighbor said “Ya know, I’m not sure if the lawyer lady is using you to bait the whacko, or the whacko is using you to bait someone else, or just what’s goin’ on, but there’s something more here than we know about. You can’t fight an enemy you can’t identify. The thing we need to know is what is motivating each of the people involved. We gotta trace that back. Just how much do you know about this lawyer lady?”

  “Other than the fact that she is a client of Teagan’s company, we don’t know anything about her.”

  “I think you would be smart to pick up your paperwork at her office tomorrow and see just what kind of establishment she works for. If it’s some little dive store front, that will tell us one thing, if it’s one of them big firms that will tell us something else.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll go first thing in the morning.”

  AJ checked all the window locks and the maid lock on the door, twice, before we went to bed.

  It didn’t dawn on us until after Steph left, that she’d told us something of what we needed to know. She reminded us that we have a restraining order against Jerkface, which means that she is telling us he is not in jail. If she knew he was locked up, there would be no reason for her to remind us about the restraining orders.

  I really need to start paying more attention to the subtle things in life. Wasn’t all that long ago that I was always fussing at Teagan to pay attention to the subtleties. Funny how things come back to bite ya. My mom is always saying you are where you need to be to learn the lesson you need to learn. Wonder what the lesson in all of this is.

  To say I didn’t sleep very well would be an understatement.

  I was up before the sun. Had my first cup of tea, my shower done, my hair in hot rollers and was putting on eyeliner when AJ woke up.

  I figured dark wash jeans, a nice blouse, and a blazer; with my super comfy gray boots would be a good outfit to go pick up paperwork from Steph. It wouldn’t matter if she was in a storefront place, or a nice building, I would be appropriately dressed in either. I also wanted to find the perfect gift for Morgan and Liam. I’d put it off about as long as I could. Not that I really put it off, I just haven’t found the right thing. I also need to pick up some kind of necklace to wear with my dress. Plus I should check in with Adeline.

  AJ ate a bunch of junk food for breakfast. I had another cup of tea, after much discussion it was decided that we would drive to Old Town together, he would go to pick up the paperwork with me, at that time we would talk to Steph and find out what the risk level really is, and if I should be out there walking around by myself.

  I called Steph as soon as we got to the studio; I wanted to make sure she was in the office, so that I wouldn’t be shuffled off to her assistant.

  It’s time to get some answers. This is well beyond ridiculous.

  Steph came on the line. “Cara, what time would you like to pick up the paperwork I mentioned last night, or would you prefer that I bring it to you?”

  “I’ll be happy to pick it up Steph. What time is best for you?”

  “Any time Cara, I’ll be in the office all day.”

  “How about 5 minutes? I’m at the studio. I’ll just walk down there.”

  “I’ll have Carmine come down and get you.”

  “Do I need an escort?”

  AJ’s eyebrows went up. His look even more intense than it has been for the last few days.

  “Steph, is Jerkface in jail or not?”

  “We’ll talk when you get here Cara.”

  I printed out a quick note to Jovana, letting her know that AJ and I were down the street at Steph’s office, and that I expected to be back soon-ish if she had any projects for me today.

  I had just enough time to go to the bathroom before Carmine showed up. It might be the better part of valor to make sure that you have taken care of your bladder when you don’t know just how long an important meeting is going to take, or just how scary it will be. Especially when you’ve already had multiple cups of tea. I can be practical when I need to be.

  Carmine showed up just as I got back downstairs. He was not amused to be escorting us, and didn’t even pretend to be. I do give him credit, he was aware of every movement of every person around us on the walk back to the law offices. I felt pretty safe with him there.

  When we walked into the offices of Magnar, Wyatt and Strong, I was more than a little intimidated. To that point, Steph was just a friend of Teagan’s that was nice enough to give us some free legal advice, but I really didn’t know anything else about her. I really didn’t envision her as a high-powered attorney, but seeing this place, jeez.

  Walking into the law office not only made the whole thing a lot more real, but the office vibrated with power and influence.

  The receptionist, an elegant woman of about my mom’s age, dressed in a stunning suit and jewelry that probably cost more than my car, smiled and asked if she could get us anything to make us more comfortable.

  I couldn’t think of a single thing in life that would help me to be comfortable in these surroundings, so I politely declined.

  Carmine escorted us through huge double doors that opened silently when we approached.

  We walked down a hallway of expensive wood and muted lighting. Carmine slowed for no apparent reason, reached to his right, pushed a little doohickey I hadn’t noticed, and the wall slid open allowing us to walk into a huge conference room.

  The table was outrageously large; around the table were expensive leather chairs, spaced at regular intervals.

  Along the entire far wall was a beautiful wooden bookcase with leather-bound books I feel comfortable i
n assuming are legal books.

  Along the wall to the right were beautifully carved wood panels, with bullet lights highlighting magnificent wood grain. The whole wall was so beautiful no artwork was required.

  The wall to the left was glass with frosted stripes in an interesting pattern, horizontal on one panel, vertical on the next. Carmine flipped a switch and the entire wall went opaque. He explained, “We’ll have more privacy this way.”

  AJ and I were invited to sit, just as a gentle chime sounded, and the wall opened again, a beautiful woman standing in the center of the opening. “Mr. Canfield, I am sorry to interrupt. Mr. Magnar asked me to advise you that Ms. Walker is on a conference call in his office, she will be with you shortly.”