Neighborhood Watch (27 page)

records and references,” he added. “Otherwise, Mr. Slater wouldn’t have hired them.”

After a moment’s thought, Kristin straightened up and with determination said, “I think Philip Slater’s wife saw something from her window, but she’s too frightened to say.”

“Oh?” Kurosaka’s eyebrows lifted. “Why do you say that?”

“She mentioned something about men attacking Angela and when I pursued, she denied

she meant anything or saw anything, but I stood by her living-room window that looks out on the street and she would have had a view. No matter what she says, she definitely said
men,
not
man,
” Kristin hammered with unrestrained excitement.

Kurosaka stared a moment and then sat forward calmly.

“We did find a rubber boat on the north shore of the lake,” he revealed. “It had been punctured, slit, and left under a bush as a way of hiding it. There were some clear footprints which match the prints we found on the development shore, the footprints of only one man. Close by, we found a tire iron with the bloodstains that match Mrs. Del Marco’s blood. He probably brought it along to use as a means of getting through locked doors, windows, whatever. It looks like he either used gloves or wiped it clean of prints,”

Kurosaka added.

“But why would he take Angela’s papers?” She looked at Martin, too, but he just shook his head.

“I don’t know the answer to that, Mrs. Morris,” Kurosaka said. “Maybe he thought he had something valuable. She didn’t have a purse with her, but he did take her watch and a ring.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“Well, we hope he tries to fence the items quickly, so we don’t advertise the information.

All of the area hock shops and jewelers are aware, of course. And we’re trying to track the rubber boat. It’s a common type, sold in camping stores.” He paused and then leaned forward. “I’m sorry. I know how much you want us to catch the man who did this to your friend, but believe me, we have a full investigation under way with assistance from the state police and—”

“No, I realize you’re doing your best. I just thought . . .”

“Yes?”

“We should concentrate a little more on our own . . .” She looked up at him.

“Neighborhood.”

“These things are usually a lot simpler than you think,” Detective Martin offered.

“Everyone’s stuck in the conspiracy mentality these days,” he added, looking at

Kurosaka.

“I’m not stuck in any mentality,” Kristin snapped, but Martin didn’t look apologetic.

“It was probably just some transient thief who saw all those fancy houses,” he said.

“Why are you so confident of that? Perhaps you’re stuck thinking of simplistic

solutions,” she retorted. His smug smile evaporated instantly and his eyes brightened with the fury of one who had just been slapped across the cheek.

“Mrs. Morris, we’ve run checks on the security guards. Detective Martin is correct. They all have clean records, not so much as a speeding ticket. Two are former military police,”

Kurosaka said softly.

“Spier and Stark?” she asked. He nodded. “I thought so.”

“The company they work for is well respected in the area and services a number of other developments,” Detective Martin said. “You don’t seriously think they would rape and murder a woman because she was complaining about their procedure after a routine

alarm check, do you?” he added, the corner of his mouth lifting with ridicule.

Kristin ignored him and turned to Kurosaka.

“Mrs. Morris,” he began softly, “I’m from a more urban environment than my partner

here, but I’ve seen what happens when someone in the neighborhood is attacked or

murdered. It’s the same everywhere. Everyone becomes . . . overly suspicious.”

“Don’t patronize me, Lieutenant. I’m not a kook. It was dark out there; it was raining.

What did this rapist-thief do: stop to read the file and decide he could sell the CC and R’s to other developments?”

Kurosaka reddened. Detective Martin laughed, seemingly enjoying his discomfort.

Kurosaka flashed a look of reproach at him and then turned his eyes on Kristin.

“No,” he said calmly. “It was precisely because of those conditions that he might have taken the file. He didn’t have the time or the capability to see whether or not they were valuable. When he did, I’m sure he discarded them.”

“They why didn’t you find them on the other side when you found the remains of the raft and the tire iron? He threw that away, but he didn’t throw away papers that would be worthless to him?”

“Papers are much easier to transport than a boat or a tire iron, Mrs. Morris, and frankly, we’re not convinced they hold the key to the discovery of who did this unless they can reveal some fingerprints. Maybe after he realized they were worthless to him, he threw them in the lake. Maybe the papers are washed up on shore some place. Maybe they’re in his car. Give us a chance to complete the investigation, Mrs. Morris.”

“Okay,” she said. “I just thought I had some information that would help.”

“And we appreciate it. You can call me whenever you like.”

“Even if I’m overly suspicious?”

“Yes,” he said smiling. She stood up and he rose to walk her out of the office. At the doorway, she turned to Detective Martin who had reached for his newspaper again and then she looked at Kurosaka, her eyes firm, determined.

“Marilyn Slater saw something the other night. I’m certain,” she insisted.

“I did speak to her when I canvassed the neighbors, but I promise you, we’ll stop by to speak to her again. Try to relax, Mrs. Morris. I know it’s hard. Your safe and secure world has been invaded. Your concern is understandable,” Kurosaka offered.

“Thank you,” Kristin said.

She left them, feeling as if she had just walked into an oven, the heat trailing behind her as she departed the sheriff’s station.

After she returned home, she saw she had a message on the answering machine.

“Hi, it’s Jean. I was hoping you would agree to be on my Neighborhood Watch patrol

team, if Teddy will let you in your condition, of course. Vincent McShane will be our patrol leader, but Nikki and maybe Philip will accompany all the patrols for the first week or so. Nikki let me pick my teammates. Call me when you get in. She’s whipping up the schedule and the patrols as I speak, but that’s Nikki for you.”

Kristin shook her head. Madness, she thought, but maybe Teddy was right. Maybe it had some value, if even only to calm the residents and give them a renewed sense of security.

She called Teddy at the office and told him about Jean’s message.

“Absolutely not,” he snapped.

“Why not, Teddy? I thought you said it was a good idea.”

“It is, but not for you right now.”

“I’m not going to arrest anyone. You heard Nikki at the meeting. All we do is—”

“No,” he insisted.

“But—”

“You were in your fifth month last time, Kristin,” he reminded her. It sent a chill down her spine. “Let’s get past it, okay?” he pleaded. “Let me do the patrol duty for our family.

Everyone will understand.”

“Why shouldn’t they? Thanks to Nikki Stanley, they all know about my miscarriage.”

“Kristin!”

“All right, all right. I’ll tell Jean you’ll serve in my place, Teddy. Enjoy yourself,” she said and hung up. She stood there seething for a moment and then she lifted the receiver and punched out Jean’s number.

“Hi,” Kristin said in a deliberately saccharine voice. “I got your message. I’m afraid Teddy wants me to stay safely in the nest for now, but he would be happy to be part of your team.”

“Oh. Well, I’m sure he’s right,” Jean said. “We’re going to be the first patrol.”

“Ginger peachy,” Kristin cooed. “Catch the bad guys!”

Jean laughed.

“It’s so nice that you can have a sense of humor even at a time like this,” she said.

“Isn’t it? Talk to you later,” she said and hung up. She went to the French doors and gazed out at the lake a moment. Then she had an idea. She changed into a pair of jeans, an old, light cotton sweater and some old shoes.

It was a rather muggy, but relatively clear May day with a line of clouds hemming the horizon and foreshadowing the next overcast sky and rain. The May flies were out for blood, but she drudged relentlessly up to the spot where Angela had been found. Drops of dried blood were still visible on some rocks. It turned her stomach, but she took deep breaths and continued down to the lakeshore where she began her long, arduous journey around Emerald Lake, searching for the elusive papers that Kurosaka suspected might have been dumped in the water. She tried to keep as close to the shore as she could, stumbling a few times and nearly falling into the water.

When she reached a relatively undeveloped area, she hesitated. Here the woods were

thicker, the bushes heavier. She pondered turning back, but decided she would go all the way to the road that ran by the lake. Just as she stepped into the forest, she heard a branch crack and spun around to see Harold Spier approaching quickly. He had his pistol out and held it up as he plodded along persistently.

Her heart began to pound. Spier didn’t appear to see her and she didn’t move. Then he stopped and dropped his arm, pointing the gun at her. She screamed.

“Oh,” he said raising the gun. “It’s you, Mrs. Morris. I thought for sure I had caught me a prowler.” He drew closer, still not putting the pistol back into his holster.

“You nearly frightened me to death,” she said.

“Sorry, but I was up there behind the Lesters’ house and I heard you walking through the woods. I couldn’t imagine a resident down in here. What are you doing?”

“I’m taking a nature hike,” she said. “Would you put your gun in your holster?”

“Oh. Sure. Sorry. Can’t be too careful around here after what happened to Mrs. Del

Marco. You sure you want to be walking alone in the woods?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

“You’re pregnant, too, Mrs. Morris. This isn’t an easy stroll.”

“I think I’m capable of deciding what I can and can’t do right now, Mr. Spier.”

“Just trying to be helpful, ma’am. It’s what—”

“We pay you to do. I know,” she said nodding. Their eyes met and for a moment, she felt in even more danger. Then he smiled coolly.

“Okay, if this is what you want to do. Just keep your eyes open, ma’am. We’ve had a rattlesnake or two around this lake,” he added.

She felt her Adam’s apple bounce in her throat, but she didn’t change her expression.

“I’ve taken nature hikes before, Mr. Spier.”

“Suit yourself. Forewarned is forearmed,” he added, tipped his hat, and turned around.

She watched him plod through the forest. Not until he was completely out of sight, did she feel her heartbeat slow and her breath come back. She couldn’t hear his footsteps in the forest, but she knew that didn’t necessarily mean he was gone, so she decided she would go until she reached the roadside of the lake and return to the development that way.

Nearly a half hour later, she spotted a sheet of paper floating near the shore and then, a few feet away, she found another. When she knelt down and plucked them out of the

water, she saw they were Angela’s and her notes on the revisions for the CC and R’s.

It filled her with a terrific chill. She looked around to see if she was being watched and then she pressed the papers against herself and hurried away.

Spier was back in the security booth when she came down the road to the front entrance.

“That’s quite a walk you took, Mrs. Morris,” he said.

“Invigorating,” she said, and started through the gate.

“What’s that you found?” he asked. She paused.

“Part of what Angela had on her the night she was attacked.” She studied his reaction.

He looked impressed, not frightened.

“No kidding. You should give that to the police.”

“I intend to,” she said.

She hurried back to call Kurosaka and confirm his suspicion. He wasn’t in the office, but he phoned her from the road.

“I should put you on the payroll,” he said. “Hold on to the papers. I’ll stop by later.

Maybe we’ll take off some fingerprints besides yours and Angela Del Marco’s. I’ll get Angela’s from the coroner and when I stop by, I’ll take a sample of yours, if that’s all right.”

“Fine,” she said. Emotionally and physically exhausted, she went to lie down and fell asleep with Angela’s pages beside her on the bed, this time waking up before Jennifer had returned. When Teddy returned, she hesitated to tell him about the papers. She was afraid he would bawl her out for taking such a dangerous trek through the woods.

That night the Neighborhood Watch patrol began. The ever efficient Nikki Stanley had the security guard deliver an instruction sheet to all the residents, outlining how everyone should dress, what he or she should bring, and what the patrol would be expected to do.

“They recommend we dress completely in black,” Teddy read. “The whistle will be

provided by the patrol leader, but we’re to bring our own flashlight. The patrol time will vary between eight-thirty and nineP .M.”

Kristin pretended not to be listening and then, impulsively, turned to him and said,

“Lieutenant Kurosaka is stopping by any minute.”

“Kurosaka? Why?”

“I took a walk earlier and I found some of the missing papers Angela had when she left.

They were in the lake.”

“The lake? You went all the way down to the lake?”

“I needed a good walk,” she said.

He stood there staring at her. Before he could utter another comment the door chimed her tune.

“It’s probably him,” Kristin said, and got the papers together as Teddy went to the door.

“Good evening, Doctor Morris.”

“Lieutenant.”

Kristin came around him and held out the pages she had found at the lakeshore. She had placed them in a plastic bag.

“Thank you, Mrs. Morris,” Kurosaka said, taking them. “Very professional,” he added, indicating the bag. “No one but you has touched them since they were found?”

“No one,” she said.

“I’m going to run the fingerprints as I explained, I’ll need a copy of yours.” He produced an ink pad. “Where would you like this done?”