Long Shadows (Amos Decker, #7)(73)
“Stuff that sounded more like a business rather than only a sexual relationship?”
“Funny you should say that. They certainly were into gossip. They knew everything that was happening in DC, I can tell you that. I mean, folks in politics and so on.”
“Anything else?”
“I went over to his place one time. The door was open so I just let myself in. Nobody was around. Alan’s laptop was open on the table. I just took a peek. It was like a spreadsheet with names and, I don’t know, information on each of them.”
“What kind of information?”
“I couldn’t really say. It was about that time I heard someone coming. I went back over to the door and pretended to open it as though I were just coming in. It was Alice walking in from the other room. She saw me and then went over and closed the laptop.”
“What did you take all that to mean?”
“That they were up to something, I just didn’t know what.”
Nash looked at White. “I guess that’s your job to find out. And I don’t envy you one bit.”
Chapter 52
G?LORIA CHASE LIVED IN AN upscale part of Ocean View and only a short drive from her boyfriend, Dennis Langley. It was also about a twenty-minute drive to Cummins’s house. She was a knockout in her midthirties, with long blond hair and perceptive blue eyes. She had on a short white skirt that, by contrast, emphasized her long, tanned legs. Her home was expensive and the woman seemed the same to Decker.
His creds got him in the front door, and they sat across from each other in a small, light-filled space off the kitchen.
“Are you a lawyer as well?” he asked.
“No, I have my own business. An internet services platform to help startups in Florida. Business is booming. I’m printing money.”
“Congrats! The Aston Martin outside looks new.”
“It is. I understand you want to talk about Dennis.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m sure he told you that he spent the night with me when Julia Cummins was killed.”
“He did.”
“Dennis wouldn’t hurt a fly,” she said.
“No flies were hurt. It was his ex-girlfriend who was murdered.”
She shifted, crossed her legs, and did the same with her arms. A classic defensive posture during questioning. Decker had expected to see it at some point, just not this soon.
“When did he get to your house that night?”
“Oh, around eight.”
“And when did he leave?”
“The next morning. He was due in court.”
“He never left you that night?” asked Decker.
“To use the bathroom.”
“But he never left the house?”
She looked a little less certain and a little more defiant. “He ran to the liquor store to get some more gin.”
“How long was he gone?”
“Fifteen-twenty minutes, tops.”
“What time was this?”
“Around midnight.”
“Twenty minutes, you’re sure?” he asked.
“Yes! It’s the all-night place down on the right before you turn into my neighborhood. Ricardos.”
“He ever get physical with you? Abusive?”
“Never. If he did, it would be over in two seconds. I don’t tolerate that.”
“Some men don’t care if women don’t like it.”
“Dennis is not that kind of guy. He’s very nice and gentle.”
“A gentle man with a gun.”
“He has every right to protect himself.”
“Did he ever mention Julia Cummins to you?” he asked.
“A few times. And I met her once.”
Decker stiffened. “Really, when was that?”
“Dennis and I had been dating for maybe a month. We were at a restaurant, a little French bistro in Naples called Café Midi. She was there.”
“Alone?” said Decker.
“No, she had some kid with her.”
“Kid?”
“I call him a kid, but he was huge. Looked like an athlete.”
“Her son, Tyler.” Decker showed her a photo on his phone.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“Was there anyone else with her?”
“Yes, an older woman. Rail thin with badly permed hair, and she reeked of alcohol.”
“Doris Kline?”
“I don’t know. She never said her name. But she looked three sheets to the wind.”
“So, what happened?”
“Dennis took me over to their table and we said hello. Frankly, I think Dennis did it to sort of show me off to Cummins.”
“How did she react?”
“She was pleasant. We spoke for a bit and that was it. We left.”
“What was your impression of the judge?” asked Decker.
“She seemed very put together. I could see why Dennis would be attracted to her. Her friend was a very different sort. I wouldn’t have necessarily put them together.”
“They’re neighbors. Did you speak to Tyler?”
“No, but he did give me the eye.” She smiled demurely. “He’s clearly a red-blooded American male.”