He didnt bother adding that hed stayed in the mens room for more than a few minutes, trying unsuccessfully to deal with the headache.
His neurologist had told him that the troublesome headaches would last for a while. Mainly because a serious concussion can do that to a person.
But the pain from the headaches wasnt the only thing bothering Michael. Lately hed become more concerned about the increasing blank periods, the blackouts.
But he didnt mention those to Denner. Something told him that admitting hed lost time would put him in an even more tenuous position with the police detective. Better to try to deal with the blank periods on his own.
Perhaps you were gone long enough to slip out the back door and finish off Ms. Hamish, Denner said.
Youd like to believe that, wouldnt you? It would make your job easier.
Theres nothing easy about pinning you down, Emerson. But Ill find a way.
I didnt kill Corinna.
Denner snorted. You dont mind if we check that out for ourselves, right?
Michael shrugged again, trying for a casualness he didnt feel. Do whatever you need to do. Nothing I say has had much impact on your obsession that Im the one who killed these women.
Yeah, well, its hard to believe a guy who is intimately connected to all the murder victims but keeps insisting hes as innocent as pure driven snow.
Off to the side, the crime scene photographer moved to a position directly across from Michael, snapping off pictures in rapid succession. The flash of the camera renewed the pounding in Michaels head. He glanced away, a part of him unable to comprehend the brutality of Corinnas death.
He reached up and rubbed his temple, trying desperately to clear his head. He needed his wits about him right now. This was not the time for headaches or the ugly sensation of fogginess that seemed to cloud his brain. The mist swirled around them, wet and clinging.
Although hed been able to provide an iron-clad alibi for each of the murders, he knew it frustrated the hell out of Denner and the other members of the special task force assigned to the case. They wanted him to confess. Wanted the case closed with him behind bars for life or a needle in his arm.
When was the last time you talked with Ms. Hamish?
Two weeks ago. We had lunch at Kristoffs.
And thats when you gave her your typical kiss-off?
If youre asking if we discussed the direction our relationship was going, then yes.
Not getting enough, huh, Emerson?
Michaels hands tightened into fists at the crudeness of the remark. But he didnt bite. Hed gotten used to the detectives technique, familiar with Denners tendency to try to push his buttons. No way did he plan on giving Denner the kind of ammunition he was fishing for.
Corinna wanted more out of our relationship, he said. She was a classy woman who always put things on the table. She was honest about her desire to see things between us go to the next level. I told her that as much as I liked herenjoyed her companyI didnt see our relationship going any further.
So you took her out and finished her off because she wasnt willing to accept your brush-off, right?
Actually we parted quite amicably. Corinna is he swallowed hard was a beautiful woman. She didnt want for male companionship. She knew how to move on. I have no illusions that she saw me as the only fish in the ocean.
Denner laughed, the sound harsh. Grating. He nodded in Corinnas direction. You call a sharpened ski pole shoved through her chest amicable?
Michael fingers tightened into fists, but again he kept his voice reasonable. Of course not. But that doesnt prove I killed Corinna.
Funny how every woman youve ever had a relationship with seems to be turning up dead. You dont find that unusual? Significant in some way?
As hard as this is for you to grasp, Denner, Im telling you the truth. I didnt kill Corinna or any of the other women.
At least he was pretty sure he hadnt. God, please let me be innocent.
Where have I heard that pitiful claim before? Denner snapped his fingers. Oh, yeah, thats right, four weeks ago, following the unfortunate demise of Ms. Karen Pearsonanother of your former companions.
Youve already checked and rechecked my alibi for that night. You know there was no way I could have killed her.
Not how I see things. I just havent found out how you managed to slip out of your meeting without being missed. Denner smiled again, a barracuda eyeing his prey. But rest assured, I havent given up.
No big surprise there.
Denner pulled out his notebook. Give me the names of those prominent people who can vouch for your whereabouts this evening.
Michael rattled off a list of names and watched as Denner carefully recorded them. If he had any friends left after the completion of this investigation, it would be a miracle. Neighbors and friends were beginning to look at him with an unmistakable glint of uneasiness in their eyes. Not that he could blame them. He was beginning to suffer from his own doubts.
The crime scene photographer moved off, but still no one came to remove the pole and take Corinna down. Michaels stomach tightened into an unmanageable knot.
He couldnt stand seeing her hang there one more minute, her designer dress fluttering gently in the night breeze, revealing her slender white thighs in the harsh glare of the streetlights. Someone needed to cover her up. Give her the dignity she deserved.
Denner seemed oblivious to the stagnant stench of death hanging between them. He stood slightly hunched over, his hooded eyes seeming to bore gaping holes into Michaels. The mans suspicion and hatred was blatant, unmistakable.
Finally, unable to take it any longer, Michael ran up the steps. Before Denner or anyone else could stop him, he grabbed the pole and yanked it out. The end had been sharpened to a lethal point, explaining how it had pierced Corinnas slender frame with ease. He caught Corinnas body as she fell.
Denner rushed forward. What the hell do you think youre doing?
Michael ignored him as he gently laid Corinnas seemingly boneless body on the cold cement. He shrugged off his dinner jacket and laid it carefully over her facea once classically beautiful face that had graced more than a few covers of high-end fashion magazines.
It isnt right to leave her hanging like that, Michael said, squatting down to tuck the corner of his coat around Corinnas slender shoulders. She deserves better.
You should have thought about that before you nailed her to your front door. And quit messing with our crime scene or Ill have one of my guys run you in just on principle.
Michael sighed. There would be no convincing the police of his innocence. They had zeroed in on him like vultures on fresh meat. Theyd work this angle until they found a way to pin the murders on him. Something told him their focus on him was so intense that there was a strong possibility theyd miss any clues to the killers true identity.
He blinked, momentarily blinded by a flash of light. He glanced up to see several reporters gathering behind the crime scene tape. Another group of vultures had caught the scent and arrived right on cue.
No doubt theyd gotten a good picture of him leaning over Corinnas body. He knew that within a few hours photos of him would be splashed across the front page of all the local papers and on the early morning news.
No doubt theyd gotten a good picture of him leaning over Corinnas body. He knew that within a few hours photos of him would be splashed across the front page of all the local papers and on the early morning news.
He needed to think. To get away. Things were getting out of control. There had to be a reason for all these killings and he needed to figure out how hed become the catalyst.
He straightened up and glanced at Denner. Am I permitted inside?
Denner paused and then nodded. Sure. Just ignore the men dusting and tearing the place apart.
No surprises there. Theyd done the same thing after each murder, attempting to find something, anything, that would firmly implicate him in the murders.
As he reached for the doorknob, Denner followed close on his heels. Obviously the man wasnt done with him yet.
His housekeeper, Hattie, met him at the door, her tiny hands clenched in front of her, an expression of concern cramping the lines of her bony face. Im sorry, sir. They have a warrant.
Michael patted one of her thin shoulders. This was the fourth time theyd searched his house. He was almost getting used to the indignity of the police invasions, but from Hatties expression, he could tell she was more than a little unnerved.
Everything is going to be fine, he reassured her. You did the right thing letting them in.
But theyve torn everything apart again, sir. Her frightened birdlike gaze darted nervously toward the body behind him and then back. It took us days last time to get things back to normal.
Your boss should have thought of that before he went on his little murder spree, Denner said.
Hatties face reddened, but before she spoke again, Michael guided her back into the front hall. Well about it later, Hattie. Just let the police do their job. Things will be back to normal eventually.
In spite of his reassurances, Michael wasnt sure normal was something hed ever experience again. His life was a mess.
Hattie glanced at Denner and sniffed her disapproval. They could at least have put things back where they belonged when they were done pawing through them.
Not our job, maam, Denner said. But then, Im sure your boss has the money to hire extra help if he needs it.
Hattie gave another sniff of blatant disapproval and moved away, heading into the living room where a group of investigators were dusting every conceivable surface of her usually sparkling clean room.
Michael was sure she was watching the CSI staffs every move, suspicious that someone might pocket one of the expensive treasures tastefully scattered about the room. Treasures hed obtained on his world travels, something he was fairly certain he wouldnt be doing again anytime soon. Not when he was the prime suspect in a series of four brutal murders.
You have a loyal staff.
Hatties been with me a long time, Michael said.
Long enough and loyal enough to lie for you perhaps?
Michael didnt bother responding. He knew it was useless. Denners mind was made up and nothing Michael said would change it
He headed for the marble staircase leading to the second floor and his bedroom. Denner didnt back off and followed him up.
Quite a collection of artwork you have hanging on the walls around here, Emerson. Arent you worried about someone breaking in and ripping it off?
I have a good alarm system.
Yes, you do. And that brings up an interesting point. Denner paused on the middle of the stairs, and Michael stopped, too, glancing back. Waiting.
Theres no sign of a break-in. Whoever entered the house with Ms. Hamish, fetched a ski pole and then nailed her to the front door. The killer had to have a key or someone let him in.
How do you know they even entered the house? That is a common enough ski pole. Maybe the killer brought it with him.
Possible. But theres one tiny detail that tells me that isnt the case. Denner looked down into the front hall, nodding at the Windsor chair standing in one corner of the front hall. Thats Ms. Hamishs coat lying across the back of that chair. Any thoughts on how it got there?
Michael shook his head, his heart thudding hard in his chest. The coat put Corinna inside his house. The trap was closing tighter with each passing moment. I have no idea. Did you question my staff?
Of course, Denner said. No one seems to remember anyone stopping by.
Michael continued up the stairs, turning right at the top and entered the master bedroom. The technician dusting the window sill glanced up briefly and then returned to his work.
Michael surveyed the room, assessing the damage. It was a total disaster. Every dresser drawer was open, the contents dumped on the floor. All his clothes in his closet were pulled off their hangers and lay in a heap in front of his closet. The boxes on the shelf pulled down and emptied on top of the clothes.
Someone had tossed the mattress of his king-size bed to the side. All the pillows were split, the feathers spread across the sage carpet. It looked as though someone had slaughtered a truckload of geese. A few of the feathers still floated in the air.
Michael spied his suitcase sitting open in the corner of the room and the urge to get away hit him hard. He needed to get out of here and sort things out. Get his head on straight.
There was no way in hell he could stay in the house another night, another day. If he was somehow the catalyst in these murders, he needed to get as far away from the city as possible. Somewhere isolated. Quiet.
Im leaving town for a few days, he said, standing in front of the suitcase, his back to Denner.
Like hell you are. In case youve forgotten, Im conducting a murder investigation here. Youre to stay put. I want to know where you are every minute of the day.
Michael turned around. Are you charging me with murder?
The beefy detective shuffled his feet, frustration flickering across his craggy features. Well go downtown for one of our little chats. Maybe well get lucky and youll have a flash of conscience and admit to your guilt.
Not likely. Im not inclined to confess to something I didnt do. Michael swung his suitcase on top of the box spring. But once youve checked out my alibi and found out Im not lying about where I was all evening, Im leaving town. Im going to my house outside of Keene. You know the one. Your men have been up there to search it more than once.
Yeah, I know the one, along with your three other homes outside the country, too.
Dont forget the one outside of Park City, Michael added, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Not a chance. Denner laughed, the tone adding to the pain shooting through Michaels brain. But then, you havent been out to Utah in over a year. Of course, I had it checked out.
Why am I not surprised? Michael walked over to the clothes left in a heap on the floor and grabbed what he wanted. He stuffed them carelessly into the suitcase before glancing back at Denner. Ill turn my passport over to the D.A.s office in the morning. No passport, no chance that Id leave the country, right?
Im not a fool, Emerson. You have the financial means to leave the country with or without a passport.
So, put a tail on me. Notify the State Police. Do whatever you need to do. He grabbed a few more items of clothing and threw them on top of the others. He zipped the suitcase shut and swung it off the bed, facing Denner head on. But unless youre prepared to arrest me tonight, Im leaving for Keene after our little chat downtown.