by Rayna Morgan
Richard stepped forward as if to strike his wife.
Tom stepped between them. “That’s enough, you two. I’ll finish Dottie’s interrogation in the interview room.”
Lea grabbed Tom’s arm. “There’s one more thing I need to know.”
“Go ahead. Make it quick.”
“The drug angle is one thing but how do you explain coercing females from the ranch into working at the Sterling Club?” Lea asked, disgust written on her face.
Dottie shrugged. “That part of the business was Carl’s idea. When he learned that I was friends with Greg Andrews who is a partner in the Sterling Club—”
“I only know Greg from his car dealership and his generous donations to the charities you sponsor,” Richard sputtered. “I didn’t know about his partnership in the club.”
Dottie ignored her husband’s outburst. “Carl told me that women from the ranch wanted to work at the club as escorts. It was a way for them to earn money to escape their life of poverty.
“When I approached Greg with the idea, he was more than receptive. After his third costly divorce, he swore off any relationship with strings attached but he loves having beautiful escorts for social events he attends. He made me a partner of the club and put me in charge of the escort service. It’s a win-win situation. I keep him supplied with escorts and he helps build my reputation as a philanthropist by contributing to my charities.”
Richard’s face flamed with anger. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’re running an escort service while I’m in public office?”
“You have your secret life and I have mine,” she answered bitingly.
“I hope you don’t claim altruistic motives,” Lea said to the woman indignantly. “Carl lied to you or you lied to yourself. Either way, you rationalized your reason for helping the girls to feel less guilty. It’s just another way for you to make money.”
The woman’s eyes hardened. “I gradually stopped worrying about the rationale.”
“How are you able to live with what you were doing?”
Dottie dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. “The same power which thrills my husband corrupted me.”
“What power is that?” Richard barked.
She stared daggers at him. “The potential to make or break a person. A need to control people’s lives. In the way members of your constituency depend on you, those girls depend on me.”
“Rubbish,” Richard spat back.
She laughed humorlessly and returned her attention to Lea. “I enjoy an additional benefit. Besides making money while men are deceiving their wives the same way Richard deceived me, I control the kind of woman who stole my husband. I make or break women at the club the way I’d like to break his darling Andrea.”
Lea shook her head sadly. “What would your father and grandfather think of what you’ve done?”
“They would congratulate me for giving my husband what he deserves.”
Before Tom led the prisoner to an interrogation room, he instructed Richard to take a seat. “I want to speak more with you, but don’t worry. You’re here as a witness, not as a suspect.”
“Mind if we watch from behind the glass, Tom?” Dan asked. “I know what your next line of questioning will be. We’d like to hear Dottie’s response.”
“I’ll grant you that privilege since you’re the ones who cracked this case.”
• • •
As soon as Lea and Dan were situated in the adjoining room, Tom sat across from Dottie and turned on a recorder.
“I refrained from mentioning the dead girl found at Rancho Hidalgo in front of Richard. I assume your husband played no part in that crime.”
“Richard is a lot of bad things but I can vouch for the fact he’s no murderer.”
He leaned across the table. “How can you be certain unless you’re the one to blame?”
She looked away and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Let’s not play games. Jewel gave us an account of the events which transpired that night. We know the dead girl was lined up as an escort for Greg Andrews. We also know he complained to you that she was in no fit condition to accompany him. You informed him you would take care of the girl and he left the club without her.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits. “What are you insinuating, Lieutenant?”
“I’m suggesting you got into an altercation with the girl over disappointing your biggest supporter. Whether intentional or not, you came to blows which resulted in the girl’s death.”
For several minutes, neither person spoke. Both listeners in the adjacent room held their breath.
Dottie eventually rested her elbows on the table and buried her head in her hands. “When I got to the room, she was awake but complained of feeling woozy. I yelled at her for drinking too much and blowing off her date with Greg. She got belligerent, ranting and raving about broken promises made to her. I grabbed her arm to try to calm her. She jerked away. In her intoxicated state, she lost her balance and hit her head on the corner of the table when she fell.”
“Why didn’t you call the paramedics?”
“I could tell from the angle of her head that her neck was broken. I panicked and called Carl to dispose of the body.”
Tom supplied the information received from Jewel. “He sent the men in the van to collect the girl’s body and transport it back to the ranch, far enough away so no connection would be made.”
She nodded wearily. “Carl was convinced one of the workers had seen the drug operation. We decided to use the accident to have the worker blamed for her death. It seemed a brilliant solution at the time.”
Tom turned off the recorder. “In my years of experience, I’ve never seen a criminal’s solution which turned out to be brilliant.”
• • •
After hearing Dottie’s confession, Lea and Dan returned to the waiting area where Richard slumped in a chair. “So much of this could have been avoided if my wife and I communicated. If only we’d confided in each other and shared our feelings. Why didn’t she ask what was going on with me or how I felt about things?”
“Maybe she was afraid of what your answers might be,” Lea suggested. She placed a hand on Richard’s shoulder. “You can’t turn back the clock and do things differently. But there are things you can do going forward to make amends.”
“Where do I start?”
“By taking responsibility for your part in what happened.”
By the time Lea and Dan reached the door, the congressman was silently weeping.
“I’m going to the office to check in with Father and write up our report for the file,” Lea said on their way to the parking lot.
“I’ll be there after I check on Carl.”
• • •
As Dan drove toward the hospital, he considered Richard’s remarks in light of his relationship with Stacy.
Do I communicate sufficiently with her?
Why haven’t I conveyed my feelings and concerns?
Are there questions I don’t ask because I’m afraid of the answers?
Things would have to change if he and Stacy were to have any chance to improve their relationship. He looked forward to an opportunity to handle things differently.
But first, he needed to talk with her on a more urgent matter of life and death.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Dan convinced Stacy that even though she was mad at him, they needed to talk on a matter of utmost importance. She agreed to meet for coffee at the Dockside Diner.
When she arrived, she greeted the owner in a friendly manner. Her demeanor toward Dan remained frosty as they placed their order at the counter and then found an outside table.
Without wasting time on chitchat, she came right to the point. “What is this matter of grave importance you used to lure me here?”
Besides anger in her voice, he detected the curiosity he hoped for. “I figured out who’s trying to kill me.”
“Since you’re telling me, I assume it’s someone I know.”
“Your ex-husband, Tony.”
“What makes you think it’s him?”
“I remembered where I’d seen the guy who took potshots at me on my boat. He’s the one hassling you at the Whale’s Tail when I intervened.”
Stacy looked startled.
“Remember?” Dan continued. “You told me he could be one of Tony’s goons keeping tabs on you.”
She looked doubtful. “Do you honestly believe he went from following me to shooting at you?”
“You told me Tony still believes you’ll get back together. That can’t happen if you find someone new. Tony probably has you followed to find out if you’re seeing anyone. If he suspects you and I are involved, he undoubtedly wants me out of the picture.”
Stacy shivered. “I won’t deny he’s capable of such a thing. Tony’s irrational when it comes to matters concerning me.”
“He has to be stopped. Not only for my safety but for yours.”
They stopped talking while the server delivered their beverages.
“What do you plan to do?” she asked, blowing on her latte.
“I need an excuse to draw him into a situation where I can apprehend him. Then I’ll turn him over to the cops and he’ll be out of your hair for good.”
“Is that the only way?”
“We must deter Tony from his current course of action. If he continues, he’ll end up dead or in jail.”
She grabbed Dan’s sleeve. “I don’t want either of those things to happen.”
The strength of her emotion took him by surprise. “Do you still have feelings for your ex?”
“Of course not. I never wish to see the man again but he’s the father of my child.”
“I understand why you don’t want him to be killed. But you’d be safer with him behind bars.”
“That’s not an acceptable solution.”
“May I ask why not?” Dan asked testily.
“I would never deny my son visits to his father. For obvious reasons, I don’t want those visits to take place in prison. Nor do I want Timmy made the butt of jokes about his father being a jailbird. It would also destroy my son’s relationship with his grandparents if they felt I was responsible.”
Dan squirmed. He didn’t agree with Stacy but he couldn’t dissent without sounding like a jerk.
“Then help me flush him out. Talking to me is his only chance for a peaceful solution. I’ll give him a choice. Either he promises to leave town and stay away from both of us or I turn him over to the authorities.”
“That sounds fair.”
“Just don’t blame me if he makes the wrong decision.”
“How do you propose to deliver this ultimatum?”
“That’s tricky. It’s hard to present demands to an invisible phantom. Someone suggested I make myself a guinea pig to draw him out. Instead of waiting for him to come after me, I confront him in an environment of my choosing.”
“That seems like a sensible approach.”
“The question is how to entice him into the open.”
They pondered the question for several minutes. Stacy was first to come up with an idea. “You can’t do it alone but there’s a way for us together to bring him to the surface.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Let’s you and I hold a party at the Whale’s Tail.”
“What type of party?”
“One to announce our engagement. I guarantee Tony will show up to talk me out of it.”
Dan gulped. “The kind of engagement that comes before marriage?”
She gave a throaty laugh. “You look like a deer caught in the headlights. Don’t worry. Our engagement is only pretend.”
Dan rubbed his chin. “I suppose it might work but it’s risky with other people in attendance.”
“The party will be a small affair on the second floor. The guests will stay inside. At some point during the festivities, you and I will wander outside giving Tony ample opportunity to approach us.”
Before he could weigh the feasibility, she continued. “I’ll tell several of my fans. Ingrid will spread the word among the regulars. If Tony’s man is around, he’s bound to hear.”
“Your ex may decide to do more than break up our engagement. He may want to ensure I’m not around for the wedding.”
“He’s not likely to try anything stupid in broad daylight on the deck of a restaurant filled with people.”
“Your reasoning is less than reassuring.”
“Look on the bright side. If Tony is dumb enough to shoot you, the police will have cause for his arrest.” She laughed at the disconcerted look on his face. “Lighten up, I’m teasing you. I’m sure you can take care of us unless you’re not the tough guy you make yourself out to be.”
He managed a partial smile. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”
They concluded their plans and she left. Dan sat alone to finish his coffee.
He thought of her plea that Tony not be hurt or go to jail. Once again he wondered if he was being set up.
It was Stacy who came up with the idea of a time and place to confront Tony. And she insists no police be present using the reason of scaring him off.
Even though she denies having feelings for her ex, he may still have the power to manipulate her especially in matters concerning her son.
As he prepared to leave, he cursed himself for questioning Stacy.
Is it my nature as a lawman which affects my ability to trust her? Or are there valid reasons for alarm bells to be sounding?
Either way, he had the feeling she wasn’t being totally honest with him.
• • •
After talking with Stacy, Dan went to his office to converse with his partners.
“So you feel Stacy’s ex-husband is the one trying to kill you?” Warren asked after hearing Dan’s plan.
“I’m positive it was the guy keeping tabs on her who fired at my boat. The driver could have been Tony himself.”
“What makes you think he’ll come himself rather than send one of his people?”
“I figure he’ll want to do it in person in front of Stacy to make certain she understands what will happen with any relationship she forms.”
“What kind of monster thinks that way?” Lea asked, disgusted. “She needs to get him completely out of her life.”
“That’s what I hope to accomplish. I could use your help.”
“This sounds like a matter for Tom,” Warren said. “After you catch him, the police should lock the guy up and throw away the key.”
“For reasons related to her son, Stacy doesn’t want Tony to go to jail.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Warren exclaimed.
Lea held up a hand. “Not really. From a mother’s point of view, I understand where Stacy is coming from.”
With a shrug of resignation, her father responded. “Tell us how we can help, Dan.”
“Woody’s still in town so he’s available, but he and I can’t cover all the bases. Especially not knowing if Tony will approach by land or sea.”
“I see what you mean considering the previous attack when you were fishing.”
“If he comes by boat, he’ll dock in front of the restaurant. Woody will be stationed in a speedboat close enough to see Tony’s approach. Assuming he uses the same vessel he used before, Woody knows what to watch for.”
“Sounds like you’ve got the exterior covered. What about inside the restaurant?”
“That’s where you two come in. I need to focus on Stacy to keep her safe. You’ll be my extra pair of eyes to watch for Tony or his associate.”
“How do we know who to look for?”
“I’ll email you a copy of a picture Stacy gave me. That way, you’ll have it on your phone for easy reference as you mill around the party.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t get the police involved?” Warren asked.
“As far as I’m concerned, the law is involved
since you and I were both in law enforcement. Normally, I relish working with the men in blue. But for the reasons I explained, I need to handle this on my own.”
He looked from Warren to Lea. “If either of you is uncomfortable with what we’ve discussed, let me know. I’ll understand why you don’t take part.”
She didn’t hesitate. “I’m fine doing things your way.”
Dan’s face lit up. “That’s a welcome change.”
He turned to Warren. “What about you, sir? Do I have your support?”
“There’s more at stake than my daughter realizes. If your plan goes sideways, we’ll have a hard time explaining our involvement when Tom gets wind of what’s been going on.”
“He’s aware of the attempts on my life.”
“All the more reason he will expect to be involved in your attacker’s apprehension.”
Dan remained quiet as his partner stared out the window.
When Warren turned back, his expression was grave. “You’re asking me to rely on your good judgment to become embroiled in a situation which could have damaging consequences for the agency.”
Dan massaged the back of his neck. “When you put it that way, I suppose I am. Does that mean your answer is no?”
“It means I’m making sure we all understand what’s at stake.” Warren considered another moment and then brushed his palms together in anticipation. “But I do trust your judgment. Now send us that picture and tell us when to show up.”
Dan sighed with relief and continued. “You’re unfamiliar to the invitees but I prefer to keep your identity a secret until we nab Tony. Do you think you can maintain an inconspicuous cover?”
“I worked as a cocktail waitress to help pay my way through college,” Lea said. “If the bartender is willing, I could substitute for the regular server.”
“Good idea. I’m sure Ingrid will be more than happy to accommodate us.” Dan turned to Warren. “What about you, sir?”
The older man’s eyes twinkled. “I’ve always wanted to try my hand at being a maitre d'.”
Dan nodded. “The party will be from three o’clock until the restaurant’s normal opening at five. Come early so Ingrid can get you situated. Thank you for your assistance. I feel more in control knowing you will be there.”
