Long Shadows (Amos Decker, #7)(12)

Kline tapped ash into a crystal bowl, her lips firmly set. “I’m not a crier. But I’m very distraught that Julia is dead. I cared for her. A lot. We were good friends. We would vent to each other. But I’ve seen a ton of shit in my life. The best defense is just to keep it at arm’s length, at least that’s my take.”

“So, you investigated and found the body of the man in the study?” said Decker.

“Scared the crap out of me. I ran right out and called the police. They were here in maybe three minutes. There’s a station not that far from here.”

“You knew the dead man?” said White.

“I’d seen him at Julia’s. I never spoke with him.”

“Did the judge discuss with you why she needed security?”

“Not really, no. I guess all judges get threats and stuff. Hell, these days, who doesn’t? Look at social media. I could post something about saving orphans and I’d be attacked as a sex-trafficking pedophile. People are such animals online.”

“But did she actually say it was because she had received threats that she had the bodyguard?” asked Decker.

“No, I don’t believe she did. I guess I just assumed.”

“Last night, did you hear or see anything?” asked White. “Say between midnight and two, or even before or after that? Flash of headlights turning into the drive next door? Gunshot? Screams or raised voices? Sounds of a fight?”

She shook her head and sharply cleared her throat. “I use a CPAP machine at night, and I take an Ambien. I wasn’t going to hear anything.”

“Do you have an alarm system?” asked Decker.

“Oh sure. But I don’t usually turn it on.”

“Why not?” asked White curiously.

“Well, we have a gate and twenty-four-hour security.”

Decker said, “So did the judge. Plus her own private bodyguard. Clearly wasn’t enough.”

Kline looked less sure of herself and tapped ash into the bowl. “I guess I see your point.”

“How about the neighbor on the other side of the judge?” asked Decker.

“The Perlmans? They’re in New York. They left last week and will be back tomorrow.”

“They knew Cummins?” asked Andrews.

“Sure, we were all friends. Maya, that’s Mrs. Perlman, was a retired lawyer, so she and Julia had that connection. Trevor is her husband; it’s her second marriage. Oh and I think they were the ones who told Julia about the protection service she ended up using.”

“Why was that?” asked White.

“I’m not entirely sure, but I think the Perlmans had used them in the past. I don’t know why. You’d have to ask them.”

Decker and White exchanged a glance.

“Do you know the judge’s ex and their son, Tyler?” asked Decker.

“Yes. Barry and Tyler Davidson. Cummins was Julia’s maiden name. She kept it after they were married. Saved her some paperwork after the divorce since she didn’t have to change it back. They all lived next door until the breakup. Barry still lives nearby. When I was married, we would all go out together. After our divorces Julia and I would still go out, or else have a girls night in. We’d either cook, or do takeout with white wine and Hallmark movies. Although lately she seemed a bit different.”

“How so?” asked White.

“Over the last year or so she wanted to go out more. Dinner, dancing. Hitting the club scene. She was dressing, well, how shall I say, a little younger than she had been. Don’t get me wrong, she looked fabulous. She was a decade younger than me. She seemed to be having fun. Why not?”

Her lips started to twitch and tears suddenly clustered at the corners of her eyes.

“And they had shared custody of Tyler?” said White quietly.

She dabbed at her eyes with her hand. “Yes, one week on and off. But Tyler will be going to college in about a year and a half, so it would have ended then. With Julia gone I guess it ends right now…” Kline set her drink down and stubbed out her Camel. She put a hand to her face and let out a sob. “I’m…I’m sorry, I th-think it just h-hit me that she’s really g-gone.”

White produced some Kleenex from a pack in her pocket and passed them across.

Kline wiped her eyes. “Thank you.” She collected herself and continued in a husky voice, “Julia was very nice. Very caring. After my divorce she was so supportive.”

“She talk to you about any problems lately? You ever see any strange cars around or people you didn’t recognize loitering?” asked Decker.

Kline shook her head and finished her drink in one gulp. “No, nothing like that. Again, this is a gated community so they keep the riffraff out, or at least they’re supposed to.”

“You never really talked about the bodyguard? Seems strange between close friends.”

She lit another Camel and blew fresh smoke out. “Look, I tried to ask her about that a couple of times, but she shut it down. I respected that, so I didn’t push it. I just figured it was crap someone in her position had to put up with.”

“To confirm, she actually told you about the guard, but didn’t say why he was there?” asked Decker.

“That’s right.”

“When was the last time you saw Barry or Tyler?” asked Andrews.