Tall, shriveled guy who looks like a cross between an undertaker and a cadaver? Yeah, I met him. Belinda said he made several passes at her.
Romana twitched a shoulder. I have absolutely nothing to say to that. But she did and he knew it, damn him, because he merely waited her out. As they stepped onto the escalator, she kicked the metal step with her toe. Was there a man in this city that Belinda Critch didnt sleep with?
I never said she slept with Gorman.
Come on to, then.
I didnt say that, either.
I know Doctor Gorman, Jacob. For the last five years of his tenure, staying awake and reasonably aware occupied the bulk of his time, to say nothing of his thoughts. The only way hed have noticed Belinda Critch or any other woman is if shed plunked herself down in his lap naked and made a blatant attempt to seduce him.
Maybe she did.
But you just said
I said she said he made several passes at her. Doesnt mean she didnt invite them.
Uh-huh. Romana took a quick look around the upper level. I think youre contradicting yourself. That says to me youre preoccupied, which in turn suggests you think Critch is tailing us.
Theres a good chance he is, and the idea doesnt sit well with me in a crowded shopping mall.
At least it isnt peak time. But she cast her eyes along the rows of glittering storefronts and wondered how far a carry-his-grudge-to-the-death insane person might go to achieve his goal. Maybe we should meet this toy store actor away from his work.
In a theater, for instance?
Is he doing a Christmas play?
Hes in an amateur version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Hes the techno-geek kids father.
Romana slowed her footsteps as they neared The Toy Box. The crowd around them seemed much larger all of a sudden. Local theaters are smaller than malls, she reflected. But his home would really be the logical She stopped speaking as her eyes landed on a woman across the mall.
What? Jacob followed her line.
Over there. Tall woman in the cream coat. Thats Shera Barret. Amusement stirred. She looks harassed.
He studied the rail-thin woman with her sleek blond hair, Prada boots and shiny shopping bag. She looks like shes on speed.
Its her natural state when shes not on tranqs. Romana grinned. Ive heard stories, she added at Jacobs sideways glance. That little Gucci bag shes carrying is probably worth 10k or more. I hope she didnt park underground. At his even more dubious stare, she laughed. Im being serious, not catty. Think street patrol, Detective. Thieves love underground lots. Ah, here we are, The Toy Box. Kiddy heaven. I wonder if Mr. Geek has the latest PS in stock. My nephews so into that right now.
If you have money to buy Christmas presents like that, Romana, youre grossly overpaid. Although he spoke to her, his attention lingered on Shera Barret.
Curious, Romana cocked her head. Whats on your mind?
Ben Brown died of respiratory failure.
According to Fitz, he also suffered from asthma.
He was at home in front of his television, drinking a glass of brandy when he died. No exertion. Not pets or outside pollution to trigger an attack, and his house was conspicuously dust free.
Romana moved aside so a pair of adolescent girls in Santa hats could enter the shop. You think Barrets partner was murdered?
I think its strange that hed have a fatal attack of asthma under those circumstances.
Hooking his arm, she drew him with her to the display window, where a group of animated elves played board games, listened to music and baked elf cookies in a miniature oven. What did the medical examiner think?
The autopsy report claimed there were no foreign substances in his system.
So either the report was true and his death was natural, or someone involved in the autopsy process faked his or her results. She dredged up a sweet smile. Just how honest was Belinda Critch?
How honest was your ex?
She removed her black gloves. Fair enough. Bottom line, Belinda went after Barret nine years ago. Maybe she didnt score the first time around, but who knows what might have happened at a later date? The question is, did Barret want his partner gone, and if so why? She arched a speculative eyebrow. Think you could get a look at Barret Browns books?
Hed have cooked those long ago.
Then why are we having this conversation? She straightened both herself and the front of his jacket. Let it go for now, okay? We came here to talk to Critchs theater friend. First things first. Or at least one thing at time.
Not that she expected Jacob to set his thoughts aside, but she needed time to assimilate all the things that seemed to be happening so quickly around her. She was rattled by the picture Critch had sent her, and still reeling from Jacobs kiss back at the gym. A chat was about all she had left in her tonight. Then shed either jump Jacob and have wild sex with him, or topple into bed and shut the world out until morning.
She had to squeeze past a group of ten-year-old boys who were salivating over a rack of skateboards. No less than two dozen senior-aged women chattered in the board game section. The jackets they wore identified them as the Shopping Grannies. Scores of other customers, mostly weary-looking parents, wandered aimlessly up and down the aisles.
These shelves are piled too high. Romana tipped her head way back. And the boxes are too close to the edge.
Police officer, university professor and merchandising expert. Jacob set a hand on her back to keep her moving.
Youre a woman of many talents, Romana.
My brother
Runs a chain of office supply stores, I know. Ive heard stories, he said at her questioning look.
She wanted to respond to his mocking tone, but she glimpsed a holiday Barbie and couldnt resist making a beeline for it.
This is a retro doll, Jacob, you know, from the early sixties. Teresa would love her.
He set his cheek on the side of her hair. How many seven-year-olds do you figure are into retro toys?
Lots, but okay, maybe Id love her more. She searched for the price, but he started pushing. Jacob, I only want to Oh, my God! Her eyes lit up. Is that Fozzie Bear?
She felt the change instantly, and the zap of tension that accompanied it. He whipped his head around. It took her a moment to realize he wasnt staring at the Muppet bear shed mentioned, but at the frog beside it.
You like Kermit? She watched his face in profile. Something here, she realized. And the memory attached to it brought such a dark expression to his face that a shiver actually rippled along her spine.
Jacob? She touched his arm. Uh, Critchs actor friend is standing by the plastic tricycles.
Yeah, okay.
He gave the frog one last look, then motioned her forward.
Although part of her longed to ask the obvious question, Romana swallowed it and, taking his hand, led him to the end of the aisle. Looks like the guy could use a few of Shera Barrets tranqs. She forced a pleasant smile. Hello, Mr. Mitchell, Im Romana Grey. This is Detective Knight. We spoke to you yesterday.
The man, balding and obviously uneasy, stabbed at his glasses with a ragged fingernail. Im a little busy right now.
Five minutes, Jacob said.
Mitchell regarded his badge, nodded and drew them past the plastic toys through a swinging stockroom door.
It was a tight squeeze between the mountains of cardboard boxes, the dollies and a long red lunch table straight out of the 1950s.
I dont know what I can tell you. His reindeer name tag read Manager Mitch. He smelled of peppermint, perspiration and unclean clothes. His Adams apple bobbed vigorously as his gaze swung between them. Warren and I werent doing a play when his wife, er, died.
What did you think of the man overall? Jacob asked.
He was nice enough, you know, a regular sort of guy.
Romana unbuttoned her long black coat in the stuffy room. Was he a good actor?
The man laughed, revealing crooked teeth. Good Lord, no. His movements were rusty, and he was as wooden as Pinocchio with his delivery. He did the plays for Bel-for his wife. She was very good, he added. His neck flushed red. At acting.
Jacob studied him, half-lidded. Did Critch seem agitated before his wife was killed?
Not especially, no. He was a tad possessive of her, but if youd asked me back then, Id have said he seemed more relaxed than hed been since before they were married.
When was the last time you saw him?
Two weeks before Belinda died. Oh, no, wait, I passed him in the liquor store once after that.
Romana picked up a napkin and waved it in front of her face. If there was air in the room it wasnt moving, and judging from the smell of smoke wafting past, someone on staff liked cigarettes.
He wasnt quite so relaxed that night, Mitchell elaborated after a prod from Jacob. He said something about his wife being in trouble. Or was it threats? Yes, he said she was being threatened by someone. I think he was mostly upset because she wouldnt tell him who was doing the threatening.
Jacob rested a hip on the red table. Did he say anything specific?
Not that I can The man sniffed the air. Do you smell something?
Besides dirty clothes and stale cigarettes? Romana shook her head. If shed had a weaker stomach, she would have gagged. She set her makeshift fan aside instead. You should tell your employees to take their cigarette breaks outside, Mr. Mitchell.
He blinked at her. Only two people on my staff smoke, and theyre not working tonight.
Then you should empty your trash cans more often.
Jacob set a hand on her nape, glanced at the stockroom door. Thats not cigarette smoke, Romana.
She spied it as he did, filmy, gray tendrils clouding the window of the door.
A moment later, that door slammed open and three salespeople ran in. The toddlers toy section, one of them revealed as an alarm began to shriek. And the games counter. The panicked associate pointed in no less than six directions at once. Coming up and over the shelves. The stores burning, Mr. Mitchell. The fires between us and the front door.
Jacob set a hand on her nape, glanced at the stockroom door. Thats not cigarette smoke, Romana.
She spied it as he did, filmy, gray tendrils clouding the window of the door.
A moment later, that door slammed open and three salespeople ran in. The toddlers toy section, one of them revealed as an alarm began to shriek. And the games counter. The panicked associate pointed in no less than six directions at once. Coming up and over the shelves. The stores burning, Mr. Mitchell. The fires between us and the front door.