[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Sometimes I am kind.“I saw him arrive for work at the pharmacy yesterday carrying a briefcase, like the kind used to carry laptops.That didn’t make sense.I couldn’t imagine why he’d need his own computer, if that’s what was in the case.”I thought about it.He could be goldbricking, adding to his hours while he played games on his laptop.Cha-ching, cha-ching.“I’ll check it out,” Nick said.“There’s more.”He shot me a sideways glance.“Yes?” he asked.“Today, Lenny was at the dentist’s office working on a computer.He had the laptop again.I don’t know why since he was working on the dentist’s computer.Maybe he had Buster’s.If that’s so, then Lenny could be the murderer.”I told him about the case.He closed his eyes briefly.“Tell me you didn’t break into the dentist’s business office.I am the sheriff, you know.And that would be against the law.”A little miffed, I stood and faced him, hands on hips.“When would I have had time for computer work at the dentist’s office? I had surgery today, in case you’re interested.Surgery.S-U-R-G-E-R-Y.”“I thought you had a tooth filled?”“Sure.Brush it aside as if it were nothing.First, I had several needles jabbed into my gums.Very painful.The result? Trauma.Big-time.Then, I was subjected to a high-speed drill gun … for an extended period of time.It was similar to the jackhammer that’s used to break up concrete.”He smiled at me.“So you just peeked in on Lenny? What did you see?”I made him wait several seconds before I answered.“Two computers.I saw an ace and a jack on the laptop screen.I think there were more cards but I couldn’t see them from where I was.Didn’t look like solitaire to me.”“Could be gambling,” Nick said.“I’ll check into it.But first, tell me again about last night.Trimble said he checked out everything and there was no evidence of a break-in.Do you feel okay about that?”“I’m fine.So is Ida.I checked early this morning and didn’t see any tracks around.I think Ida probably didn’t close the door tightly and it blew open.”He seemed to study me a moment.“If anything else happens, call me immediately.Promise.”“I will.”He gave me a quick kiss and then hurried from the evidence room calling, “Trimble.Miller.”I jumped up and followed.“I’m coming, too.”As soon as the words were out, Arianna’s rebuke sounded in my head like a gong.This is police business.Common sense should tell you to keep out of it.Too bad about her.I was going.“We’ll take care of it,” Nick said.I was about to blast him when he turned and reached for my hand, pulled it to his heart.“I think it would be better if you didn’t come.I’m going to visit your dentist, then Buster’s place.”Smooth operator.Thought he could charm me.Then he lifted my hand, turned it gently, and kissed the back of it.“Thank you, Nora.I think you’re wonderful.”Oh, all right.I was charmed.But I was still going.I didn’t acquiesce that easily.“I’m coming,” I said.“Even though you make me feel like a princess at the ball.“No.If you come, he’ll know it was you who tipped me off, and you’ll become a target.Or your family will.”Damn.He was right.“One of your guys made a video recording the morning Buster’s body was found,” I said.“Of the whole house?”“Aye.And I’ve gone over it several times.Nothing unusual.No laptop.”“Can I see it?”“You think you’ll find something I missed?”“I don’t know.I was in there before you.I don’t walk with my eyes closed, you know.”“I know.Miller will set it up for you before we leave.”He kissed me again.“See you later, princess.”I watched the video several times and couldn’t see anything unusual.I had the feeling I’d missed something, but whatever it was eluded me.I’d replay it in my head and come back in a few days.I could feel myself getting pulled in, needing to do more, find out faster who killed Buster Verney.What had I missed?FIFTEENI mentally replayed scenes from the video recording as I drove back to Ida’s to keep my appointment with Wild Walter, but thoughts about the nephews popped in and out of my head stopping the action.It was possible that one, or both, of them murdered Buster [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]