Exposed (Rosato & DiNunzio #5)(58)

Mary masked her dismay. That meant the police had enough facts to raise probable cause to get a search warrant, but not yet an arrest warrant. “I’d like to see that before we produce the samples.”

“Of course, after we speak.” Detective Lindenhurst hesitated. “I suppose it makes sense to get these preliminaries out of the way first. In that vein, we would also appreciate him leaving his shirt and pants with us and we will provide him with a sweat suit to wear home.”

“Fine,” Mary said, having no choice but to agree. She had warned Simon that the police might make the request, so he knew not to overreact, and he didn’t. The police lab would look for fibers from Simon’s clothes in Todd’s car and, given that there had been a fight, they would find some. For the same reason, they would probably find fibers and DNA from Todd’s clothes and body in Simon’s car. It would be strong physical evidence against Simon.

“We also have a search warrant for his home, office, and car. Just to verify, you reside at 2938 Holly Lane, Horsham, PA, correct?”

“Yes.”

Mary let it go. The police were entitled to ask for basic information and there was no point in fighting when it didn’t matter.

“And you are employed by OpenSpace, correct?”

“Until recently.”

Detective Lindenhurst nodded. “The home and office are currently being searched, but we assume the car’s in the parking lot at CHOP, correct?”

“Yes,” Simon answered.

“And you drive a 2013 Ford Explorer, with the license plate TRAIN1.”

“Yes.” Simon smiled uncomfortably. “I collect trains.”

Mary knew Simon collected trains, but she hadn’t known about the vanity plate.

“And we have a warrant to search your phone, so I’d like to have that before you go.”

“Fine,” Mary nodded, and Simon didn’t react, having been made aware.

“Bear with me a moment.” Detective Lindenhurst turned to the rickety table, picked up some blank forms, and recited the Miranda rights to Simon, then took him through the standard form, acknowledging that he’d been read his rights. The detective had Simon sign it, then set the forms aside.

Mary went first. “Detective Lindenhurst, I don’t want to waste your time. My client is not going to answer any questions in this interview today.”

“I haven’t even asked one. Why don’t you give it a chance?”

“I think a better way to proceed is for you to let us know why you called us in here.”

“Okay, we’ll do it your way.” Detective Lindenhurst sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “As you know, Todd Eddington was employed before his death as sales manager at OpenSpace and your client reported to him until Mr. Eddington terminated him a few days ago.”

Mary noted he didn’t emphasize the causal connection because he didn’t have to.

“We are aware that your client has made clear he intends to sue, claiming that his termination was unlawful. His proof is certain statements he alleges were made by Mr. Eddington.”

Mary didn’t interrupt him, and he wasn’t telling anything they didn’t know already, which was the only reason he was telling it. It was way too soon for them to have made headway on their investigation.

“We are also aware that Simon was served today with the countersuit for defamation based on his alleged statements about Mr. Eddington, and that he became very upset when he was served.”

Mary hadn’t known that Simon had reacted badly, but she could’ve guessed it. Simon didn’t move, listening quietly, his hands linked in his lap.

“As you may have heard, Todd Eddington was found dead in his car at approximately seven o’clock this evening. An autopsy is being conducted and until it is complete, we will not know the official manner of death. But the cause is a mortal stab wound to the chest. We think, three wounds, but that’s not official.”

“How do you know there were three?” Mary didn’t know if he would answer, but you couldn’t blame a girl for asking. Bennie would have.

“I was at the scene. I saw the body.” Detective Lindenhurst’s upper lip curled, and Mary guessed it had been a gruesome sight.

“Do you happen to know if he had his wallet or his watch?”

“He had both.”

Mary drew the same conclusion that the police must have, that it wasn’t a robbery. But for them, it made it more likely that Simon had done it. “Is it still an active crime scene?”

“Yes, until we close it.”

“I’d like to go there, as soon as possible.”

“We can arrange that.”

“Have you found the knife that was used?” Mary took another shot. She was on a roll, probably because Detective Lindenhurst wanted to see if Simon would confess in return for a plea deal.

“No, we are actively looking for it. We expect to do better when the rain lets up.”

Mary made a mental note. If the knife was disposed of outside, the rain might contaminate any physical evidence on the knife, like blood or DNA. “So obviously, you’ve ruled out suicide?”

“Yes.” Detective Lindenhurst shook his head. “The medical examiner hasn’t officially classified the death a homicide yet, as I say, but we saw no reason to delay talking with you and your client as soon as possible after Mr. Eddington’s body was found.”