Maniacal: A Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Book 1 (12 page)

We stood and greeted him. I offered him coffee and remembered he drank it black. Jack pointed to the small table near the wall.

“Let’s sit over here, Perry. Jade, do you have the list from Detective Lindstrom?”

“Yep, sure do.” I carried my own coffee and the sheet of paper to the table and took a seat. Jack was on one side of Perry, and I was on the other. “So, this list contains your and Elise’s friends, family, and casual acquaintances?”

“Yes, it’s all I could come up with. Here’s the list of all of my clients’ names too.”

“Thank you. This shouldn’t take long. Would you like something from the vending machine? Chips, cookies, anything?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I knew he wasn’t fine, and I’d heard he didn’t eat anything last night when the deputies offered him food.

“Are the kids at your parents’ house?”

“Yeah. Can we cut the small talk and just get this done? I’d like to be with my children.”

I replied, “Sure thing.”

I made a copy of the list Detective Lindstrom sent so Jack could compare names to Perry’s client list, and I could compare the names to Perry’s personal list. I ran down both sheets side by side with my index finger, hoping for a match—nothing. Perry had ninety tax clients, and Jack checked them all—no names matched.

Normally the husband was the primary suspect, at least in the beginning. We checked everything in Perry’s house, and it was clean. Todd, Billy, Luke, and Lee went through his phone records, credit card receipts, and bank statements. He hadn’t purchased or added to Elise’s life insurance policy. We knew Perry wasn’t involved.

“Okay, that should do it for today.”

“When do I get to see Elise? What’s the holdup with the ID?”

“The ME isn’t here right now, Perry. It will most likely be tomorrow. I’ll call you when the time is right.” I thanked him and sent him on his way.

Jack sighed and plopped down at his desk. “Looks like we’re back to square one.”

“Do you think we’ll solve this case? Some murderers are never caught, you know. Look at Dennis Rader. He probably would never have been caught if he hadn’t been sending letters and taunting the cops himself. That was still fifteen years after the fact. I know we’re good cops.”

Jack agreed. “Of course we are, but this guy is smart. He knows how to avoid detection, and he’s careful. When was the last time you talked to your old man?”

“A couple of weeks ago. Do you think I should call him?”

“Maybe an opinion from someone that isn’t involved could shed some light.”

“Maybe.” I got up to pour more coffee when my cell phone buzzed. Amber was calling. I assumed she was going to tell me all about the condos she’d toured with Melissa. “Hi, Sis, are you guys done?”

“Not yet. We have one more place to look at today. This is
so
much fun. Melissa is a pretty cool lady. I could see you two hitting it off as friends. You have similar personalities.”

I chuckled and had actually thought the same thing myself when I met Melissa. “Well, do you have any favorite condos yet? You have to let her know your favorites so I can go back and look at them too.”

“Oh, for sure. I don’t think we should even bother her with the two-bedroom units anymore. Don’t forget, I’m going to help with the rent and bills. Three-bedroom units are where it’s at.”

I laughed again. “Okay, just keep the listing sheets of the ones you like. Come over tonight and have dinner with me. We’ll catch up, and bring the sheets with you. I’m excited to see them.”

“Will do. I’ll be over by five.”

“Sounds like you guys are going to be roomies soon,” Jack said as I hung up. He leaned back in his heavy leather office chair and entwined his fingers behind his head. “Man, this is a comfortable chair.”

“It should be, you paid a fortune for it.”

“I had to. My ass is glued to this thing more hours than I care to admit.”

I agreed with a nod. “Anyway the house has to be sold first, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I did tell Amber she could move in for now, but only herself and her clothes. The bedroom set and the rest of her junk has to stay at Mom’s until I buy a condo. That will give her time to get rid of some of the stuff she doesn’t need.”

I went downstairs to talk to Billy and Todd in the tech department before I headed home. Billy had just hung up from a call with the tech guys at the police station downtown. They were discussing a tape they’d both reviewed, and they’d come to the same conclusion: it led nowhere. Originally they thought somebody could have been following Elise, but after looking at another tape from farther down the block, they saw the vehicle in question pull into a gas station. So far, according to Todd, nothing looked promising.

I stopped at Chin’s Chinese Restaurant on my way home and picked up dinner. Chin’s had the best take-out food in town. I figured I owed Amber some extra face time. We’d have more quality time to discuss the condos and look at the listing sheets if I wasn’t slaving over a hot stove. I was never the best cook anyway, and cooking wasn’t one of my favorite pastimes, so Chinese would do it for dinner. I knew Amber would talk my head off, describing the condos she’d viewed. She was probably more excited than I was since she had never lived anywhere other than with Mom.

I checked the time as I set the table—four forty-five. She should arrive any minute. I set out a small plate and put both fortune cookies on it. She could take her pick of the fun treat after dinner. We’d both read our fortunes out loud. A heads-up knock sounded ten minutes later, then Amber let herself in.

“I’m here, and I’m bearing gifts.”

I peeked around the corner from the dinette into the foyer, where she sat on the bench, removing her shoes. It was nice that I didn’t have to remind her. I was sure Amber would be a great roommate—she was neat and respectful.

“I bought Chinese.”

“Oh, yum. I hope you got Chicken Almond Ding, pot stickers, and fried rice.”

“Is there anything else?” I smiled.

“Yeah, I brought two bottles of wine, one for you and one for me. We can hang out, talk trash, and get tipsy.”

“Sounds good. Let’s eat.”

By five thirty, the table had been cleared and the dishwasher loaded with the few plates we’d used. We sat on the sofa and got comfortable, each with a glass of wine, as we looked over the condo listings. The plate with the fortune cookies sat on the coffee table in front of us.

“Can I pick which fortune cookie I want?”

“Sure, go ahead. You have to read it out loud, though.”

“Okay, here goes.”

Amber tore the cellophane wrapper open with her teeth and pulled out the cookie. She cracked it in half and slid out the small white strip of paper.

She cleared her throat. “Okay, here goes. It says, ‘
A secret admirer will soon be revealed
.’ Wow…mysterious, huh?” Amber laughed. “There
is
Sean from school. I think he’s had a thing for me for a while. Okay, now it’s your turn.”

I cracked open my cookie and stared at the message.

“You have to read it out loud. It’s the rules.”

“It’s just a stupid saying.”

Amber pulled the note from my fingers. “I’ll read it. ‘
A stranger will present you with a gift.’
That’s a nice fortune. I like yours better.”

“Well, whatever, you can have my cookie too. Let’s plan next weekend to view a few more three-bedroom condos, and I want to take a look at the ones you liked already. I have to get Melissa to list the house right away too.”

“Jade, I’m really excited about moving in with you. I promise you won’t regret it. Mom is already talking about making my old bedroom into a craft room. That means there’s no turning back.”

I squeezed her hand. “I know, hon, and I won’t change my mind. We’re in this together, and here’s your own set of keys.” I laughed. “These are Lance’s old ones. He definitely has no need for them anymore.”

Dime relived the encounter he’d had with Melissa Mately yesterday. He sat at the table, enjoying his Monday morning breakfast with a sly grin on his face. Suckering the ditzy bleached blonde into believing anything he said was as easy as taking candy from a baby. He had entered Realty World around eleven forty-five and saw her sitting at her desk. The bell above the glass door clinked when he passed through. She looked up and smiled. He checked the parking lot before he walked in. Only one car sat outside, and he assumed it belonged to her.

“Good morning.” She chuckled when she looked at the clock. “Oops, I guess it’s almost noon. Hi, I’m Melissa Mately.”

She stood to shake his hand.

“Hi, I’m David Ingles. Is that your car outside? I love that model. I was actually looking at the new Infinity sedan myself.”

“Yes, I just bought it a few months ago. I’ll admit, I love that car and gold—well”—she laughed—“it’s the color of success.”

He looked her over slowly. “It sure is.”

“Well, Mr. Ingles, is there something I can help you with?” She glanced at the clock again. “Actually I’m waiting for a client to arrive. I’ll be locking up in a few minutes.”

“No problem, just checking out the Realtors in the area to see who really wants my business. You see, I’m new in town and was hoping to tour some of the more upscale, private properties you have listed, like the one on Oriole Lane, but if you’re too busy—”

She hushed away his comment. “I’d love to work as your Realtor, Mr. Ingles. Oriole Lane is quite the property. I’d be happy to show you that home and any others in that general price range if you like, maybe later this afternoon?”

“How about giving me your card and I’ll think about it? I’m not sure if later would work for me. How does your schedule look during the week?”

“Let me take a peek here and see.”

Dime listened as she mumbled to herself while clicking through her computer’s calendar.

“Hmm… I guess I didn’t realize how busy I was, clear through the weekend. I have an all-day showing for condos on Saturday. I could probably fit you in after my last appointment on Tuesday. That’s at five o’clock.”

He deliberately paced as if he were losing interest. “Maybe.”

“It’s no problem, really. I aim to keep my clients happy.” She smiled and waited for him to make eye contact with her, but he didn’t.

He stared at her business card as if he had to think about it. “I’ll get back to you if it works for me. Thanks.” Dime headed for the door.

“Are you sure? I’d love to show you our executive properties at your convenience if Tuesday doesn’t work. Please call me if you change your mind.”

The bell above Realty World’s glass door clinked, and he was gone.

He laughed at the memory from yesterday and looked at his watch—eight a.m. Dime wiped his mouth with the paper napkin, balled it up, and tossed it into the stainless steel trash can next to the stove. His plate and coffee cup went into the sink, and he left the house.

He thought of the right approach to connect with Melissa tomorrow evening while he drove. He didn’t want his fake name or the property she was going to show him to come up on her appointment calendar. He would wait and call her at the last minute, probably around five thirty. He’d make sure to remind her that if she couldn’t accommodate his needs, he would work with a different Realtor. He knew she didn’t get to the position of being a top earner by slacking off. Dime was sure she would agree to show him the property on Oriole Lane.

He pulled into the lot and parked his Jeep. As long as she was on his mind, he went ahead and set the alarm on his watch for five thirty tomorrow afternoon. Melissa Mately would get a phone call. Her ambition, or lack of it, would determine her fate.

The voices came to life and told him to make a quick call to the florist before going inside. He obeyed.

A mixed floral arrangement was delivered to the sheriff’s department by a driver from Lilly’s Garden at nine o’clock. The delivery man told Jan at the reception counter that the flowers were for Jade Monroe. Jan signed for them.

The arrangement was huge, colorful, and filled with purple and yellow lilies, tulips, carnations, baby’s breath, and roses. Jan sniffed the flowers before buzzing herself through to the bull pen.

“I’m jealous,” she said, as she entered the room. “Sure wish someone would send me flowers once in a blue moon.”

“Check that out,” Jack said. He whistled as he watched Jan to see where she was taking the vase.

I looked up from my computer when Jan zeroed in and locked eyes with me.

“These are for you, Jade.”

“From who?” I cleared a space on my desk for the beautiful, expensive-looking vase of flowers.

“No clue, and there wasn’t any card. The driver just said they were for you, and here they are. I wish I had a secret admirer that would send me flowers.”

My mind flashed back for a second to the fortune cookie note. I shook it off. I didn’t believe in that nonsense. “What florist delivered it?”

“Lilly’s Garden. Anyway, I’m jealous.”

“Me too,” Jack joked.

“Knock it off. I’ll get to the bottom of this. I’ll call the florist and find out who bought them. Somebody had to pay the bill. Thanks, Jan.”

“Yep, no problem.”

Jan exited the bull pen while I stared at the flowers. They
were
beautiful.

“So what do you think it means? Your birthday isn’t for another week, your house hasn’t sold yet, Lance hasn’t reconsidered… has he?”

“Heck no. I am impressed, though.”

“Really? About what?”

“You. You’re a guy. Guys don’t remember birthdays.”

“Ouch. My name isn’t Lance.”

“Thank God.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Now I know who they’re from.” I smiled widely.

“Who?”

“Amber. Who else would do something so sweet?” I chuckled and remembered that she’d read my fortune cookie too. “I’m letting her move in, and she looked at condos for me yesterday. We went over the listings last night at my place while we had a Chinese dinner together.”

“And you didn’t think to invite me? Damn it, girl. I sat alone watching a Lifetime movie and with a TV dinner on my lap.”

I chuckled. “You know I don’t believe a word you said. Anyway, it was our way overdue girl’s night.” I looked at the clock. Amber was in class; I couldn’t call right now, so I texted her instead. “
Thanks for the flowers, Sis. They’re beautiful, and you’re a sweetheart.”