Redemption (Amos Decker #5)(78)

“Money man?”

“Yes. Duncan Marks.”

“Is he one of your partners?”

“No, not really. But he does a lot of projects around town. And we have done a couple deals together. But I’m a small fry compared to him.”

“Well, you’re a big fry where I’m concerned.”

She smiled at his statement. “How’s the investigation coming?”

“Decker’s interviewing Mitzi right about now. Checking alibis and stuff like that.”

“You mean for Susan Richards’s murder?”

“Yeah, among other things.”

“Getting back to my earlier thought. How come Decker is letting you hang out with me? Is he hoping you’ll learn some stuff so he can arrest me?” She said this last part in a cavalier way, but Mars could detect an undertone of apprehension.

“Like I said, I’m not law enforcement. I’m his friend. I don’t tell him what to do and he doesn’t tell me.”

“But you still want to help him.”

“Sure I do.” He spread his arms wide. “And if there’s anything you can tell me that will help, let me have it.”

She laughed. “You’re an interesting man. There aren’t that many around this town, at least that I can find.”

“You lost one when Decker moved away, that’s a fact.”

Their food came a few minutes later. Mars tasted his steak and his eyes widened. “Okay, that right there should be illegal, it’s so damn good. I don’t smoke, but I might just make an exception after eating this.”

“We were lucky to get our chef. He’s from Indianapolis. Trained under one of those master chefs you see on TV.”

“Well, the dude can cook.”

“Yes, he can. So, do you think Mitzi Hawkins will have an alibi for Susan’s murder?” asked Katz abruptly.

Mars looked up from his plate. “I don’t know. Decker must have it by now. If she had one. Then he’ll need to check it out.”

“Like he will mine.”

“That’s right.” He put down his fork and knife. “You look concerned.”

“Are you waiting for my confession?”

“No, because while I don’t know you well, you don’t strike me as the murdering type. I have a pretty good nose for that. But still, there may be something else weighing on your mind.”

“No, I’m good. Just tired, I guess. Been burning the midnight oil lately.” She rubbed her temples. “After you left the club, I did a little business. It wasn’t nearly as much fun as I had with you.”

“You flatter me.”

“Not to beat around the bush, Melvin, but I do find you very attractive.”

“Hey, you’re beautiful, smart, ambitious, sensitive, the whole package.”

“Why do I sense a ‘but’ coming?”

“I’m seeing someone right now.”

“Lucky girl.”

“I hope she thinks that. And I hope I didn’t lead you on.”

“No, you made things pretty clear, actually. But a lady can always dream.”

Mars sat forward. “Look, Rachel, I like you. I really do. And while I’m not officially working with Decker, I am helping him any way I can, like I said.”

Katz leaned back and picked up her drink. “Okay.”

“The undeniable fact is there are a lot of people dying around here. You had four people thirteen years ago, including your husband. Then Meryl Hawkins. Then Sally Brimmer, although Decker was the target there. And then Susan Richards.”

“And your point?”

“If you know anything, anything at all, you need to tell us. Last thing I want is for something to happen to you.”

Katz’s spine seemed to stiffen. “Thanks for your concern, Melvin. But I can take care of myself. And I don’t know anything, so I have nothing to worry about.”

Mars nodded slowly. “Okay, if you’re sure about that.”

“Very sure.”

“Because there’s been another murder you might not have heard of.”

Katz had picked up her fork. She slowly put it down as she absorbed this news. “What? Who?”

“Man named Karl Stevens. He dealt drugs here. He sold stuff to Mitzi and to Frankie Richards. Decker thinks he might be involved.”

“And he’s dead?”

“He was in prison. We went to see him. He said he knew nothing either. By the time we got back to Burlington the man had a knife in his neck.” Mars picked up his Dewar’s and took a sip. “So, apparently, some people don’t care if folks know anything or not. They just kill them.”

“But how could…I mean, he was in prison. People get killed in prison all the time.”

“You’re right about that. But the thing is, the tats that Stevens had on his arms?”

“What about them?” Katz said in a trembling voice.

“They matched the tats on the guy who shot Sally Brimmer. Decker was really sure about that, and nobody’s memory beats his.”

“And you don’t think that might be a coincidence?”

“Do you?”

Katz sat back and composed herself. “Well, I’m sorry about this Mr. Stevens, but that has nothing to do with me.”