Chapter Thirteen

Friday


Hollis settled into the overstuffed sofa in Odelia Larson’s living room. It was a cozy condo with a few pieces of sturdy oak furniture. Two Queen Anne chairs and a matching loveseat, where Odelia now sat, faced the sofa. It was all upholstered in the same floral print.

Hollis didn’t want to get too comfortable and scooted forward. “Odelia, I know this whole experience has been upsetting, but it’s critical that you confide completely in me and Gordon, so we can clear you of all charges and you can go on with your life. If you hold anything back, you will make it more difficult for us to get you off the prime suspect list.”

Odelia wore white pants with a lime-green top. She looked like a grandmother on her way to meet friends for lunch. She’d prepared tuna sandwiches cut into small triangles and frosty glasses of iced tea.

Her shoulders slumped. “Ms. Morgan, this has got to be the very worst thing that has ever happened to me, and it’s all because of that horrible man.” She moistened her lips. “I gave him the best service any employer could expect, and he repaid me with peanuts.”

Er, Odelia, I think you need to get over the paycheck Bell left you and focus on how we are going to defend you against murder charges.”

She waved a hand in the air. “Well, I didn’t do it. That’s the main thing.” She took a bite of sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “All right, I won’t be difficult. After the ambulance left with Mr. Bell, I … I knew he didn’t look good. So, I made ready to follow them to the hospital. I was halfway out the door when I realized that when his family came—for the first time, I might add—everything would be topsy-turvy.” She paused.

So you—”

So, I knew about the black case in his desk. He had pointed it out to me a long time ago and told me that it held information for his accountants and other special papers.” She took a sip from her glass.

Hollis raised an eyebrow.

She’s lying.

Odelia continued, “I was curious. I wanted to know what he planned to give me. I’m ready for retirement. I can’t afford any surprises.”

So that’s why when I gave you your check, you reacted, but you didn’t seem surprised.”

Yes, I suppose so.”

And Bell’s letter to me, did you read it too?”

Odelia’s stern face paled. “No, of course not. I’m not a bad person.”

She’s lying again.

Hollis looked at her, and after a moment, Larson broke the gaze. Hollis took out her pad and pen to make a note.

Did Matthias Bell have any regular visitors? Any friends or business associates who came to see him?”

Odelia nodded. “Certainly. He worked out of the house about half the time. His office at home has a separate side entrance. Sometimes men and women would come to the front door and I would direct them to go around the side. But usually they knew to go straight there.”

Do you know any names? Would you recognize their faces?”

Odelia scowled and slowly shook her head. “No, they never gave me their names, and I’m not sure if I would recognize them or not. Maybe.”

Hollis sighed, and then flipped through her pad to a sheet full of notes. “Chief Brennan tells me that if Bell’s niece, Constance Cantone, hadn’t called to complain, we’d never know that Bell was murdered. Do you remember when she came to the house?”

Oh, yes.” Odelia nodded eagerly. “She’s a real piece of work. She must smell money. She only visited twice: to tell him she was getting married and to tell him she was getting divorced. She wanted money both times.”

How do you know?”

Ah, what?”

Hollis remained expressionless. “How do you know what they discussed?”

Er, I heard them. They were in the living room, and their voices were raised.”

Hollis said nothing.

They both knew that any conversation in the living room would only be overheard if a person listened closely. Hollis waited for Odelia to say more, and when she didn’t, she cleared her throat.

Did Mr. Bell agree to give her the money for a divorce?”

Oh, yes. But he thought it was funny. He laughed and laughed and told her that he would take care of things for her. She seemed to be happy, and she departed.”

When was this?”

Odelia closed one eye and thought. “I’d say about three weeks ago.”

So Bell was alive and well when she left?”

Oh, my goodness, yes. He was in a very good mood.” Odelia blinked rapidly. “It was almost scary.”

Hollis stood and gave her a long look. “I need to get back to the office. I’ll contact you in a day or two.” She paused at the door to address a flushed Odelia. “Oh, between now and then, you may want to practice telling the truth.”

* * *

Vince shifted eagerly on the edge of his seat in Hollis’ office.

Before you get all excited, let me explain the assignment,” Hollis said.

I don’t care. Do you hear me? I don’t care.” He laughed. “I get to work with you. I’ll learn so much.”

Hollis smiled and gave up trying to get him to calm down.

Okay, okay, but you’re going to be functioning as a professional. We need to interrogate Bell’s victims properly. This is a capital crime case.” She reached for her cup of tea. “I’m sorry. Would you like some coffee, water?”

Water is great.”

Hollis reached into the small refrigerator in her credenza and pulled out a bottle of water.

Handing it to him, she continued, “Like I was saying, our client, Odelia Larson, is out on bail for the murder of Matthias Bell, who was a blackmailer. This is a high-profile case because of who Bell was, and the newspapers are all over it.”

Got it,” Vince said, and sat back. “What is it you want me to do?”

Help me point the finger away from our client,” Hollis said. “I need your observational skills and your instincts.”

You got it, my observational skills and my instincts.”

Good.” Hollis leaned forward. “Now let’s get down to the specifics. Penny and I have already gathered a good bit of information about the victims, but we need to augment that with additional intelligence, descriptions, and any relevant comments that might help determine if any of them could be the killer.”

Hollis placed four files on the conference table. “I want to take you through each one, starting with the Pittmans.”

Vince scanned the file, reading as he went.

According to Detective Scott, they’ve disappeared into the ether,” Hollis said, taking out her notepad. “They ran the license plate I gave them. The car is leased to a company that doesn’t exist. It was found this morning, parked and stripped in the Oakland Airport long-term parking lot.”

No surprises there.” Vince smirked.

No, there isn’t. The police always ask the Oakland and San Francisco airports to check their long-term lots first. It’s a favorite dumping ground.” She tapped a piece of paper on top of the stack in front of her. “Ian and Millicent Pittman don’t exist, but the names on those U.S. passports copies you see in the file do—”

Vince interrupted, “According to your notes, the people associated with those names are wanted by Homeland Security. And they’re not U.S. citizens.”

Hollis nodded. “Detective Scott provided that tidbit of information. They both spoke with an accent that I’m unfamiliar with. It wasn’t from a Latin country. I got the sense it was Eastern Europe or maybe Russian.”

Maybe they’re terrorists or international criminals,” Vince said with a tinge of excitement.

She frowned in concentration. “I wouldn’t think so. Why would they put up with being blackmailed by Bell? They could have disappeared long ago.”

Vince frowned. “I see what you mean. So they were just crooks. Or, maybe they were hiding out after committing some crime, and Bell caught them.”

I get the feeling it wasn’t that complicated.” Hollis tapped the table top with her pen. “Possibly if they were here illegally, and Bell somehow found out. They built a low-key life and just didn’t want to be discovered. They might fear being sent back to wherever.”

Hmmm, then they’ll be twice as scared knowing that you’ve seen their papers,” Vince said. “You should be careful, Hollis. They know you have their secrets.”

Hollis didn’t want to admit that Ian Pittman also had her copies of the original documents. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about from the Pittmans,” she said. “But for now, let’s move on to Anthony Cantone. He was my biggest surprise.”

Why?” Vince picked up the thin file.

Hollis furrowed her brow. “Anthony Cantone seemed like an everyday guy who was just glad to get out from under Bell’s threat. His wife was Bell’s niece, and apparently she was scheming to get her uncle to squeeze more money out of him. There’s a good chance Cantone knew she was already planning to take him to the poor house. While he seemed genuinely surprised to learn of Bell’s death, I got the sense he was lying to me about something.” She bit her lower lip. “I do know this: he was scared of his wife, who with Bell to back her would be a forceful opponent. And I think that would make him a desperate man.”

Vince lifted the third file. “And Griffin?”

He already turned himself in,” Hollis said. “Detective Scott told me that he’d seen the article about Bell’s death. He knew I’d have to give the police his name. And, he didn’t want to wait for someone to come on his job. So, I understand, he went on his own to the police.”

Hmmm, smart move,” Vince remarked. He picked up the last file. “What about Eaton?”

She leaned back in her chair. “Now she’s the one I would be most inclined to say has the motive and forethought to kill. She’s cold and calculating. She stole from clients and the statute of limitations has not run out. Bell could have destroyed her life. But on the other hand, that’s just it: her career seems to be everything to her. I don’t see her putting it at risk again. Having the ability to kill and the chutzpa to actually to do it are two separate things.”

Ah, you know,” Vince tapped the small stack, “from what you’ve just said, any one of these guys could have killed Bell.”

Hollis pointed to the stack. “Yeah, it seems that way, but remember, we only have to point the finger away from our client. There is nothing glamorous about the surveillance I’m asking you to do. It’s a lot of sitting and waiting, but it’s necessary.”

Don’t worry about me. I know you’re giving me a chance to show what I can do.”

Hollis smiled. “Well, we’re both working with Gordon on a case. At least we don’t have to solve it. But I haven’t told you the best part.”

His brows lifted. “What?”

You can earn more money.”

He stared at her in disbelief, and then slowly shook his head. “Naw, it’s really good I can earn more money, but the best part is that I get to work with you.”

* * *

Hollis knew Gordon would be happy about her two new clients, but not as ecstatic as he appeared that afternoon when she briefed him in his office. He questioned her in detail about Odelia’s interview and then wanted to see the list of Bell’s victims.

She pointed to the pile of pages next to his phone.

Good work,” he said, glancing through the pile. He sat back and looked at her. “I’m going have to leave much of the investigation up to you. I’ve got another matter that goes to trial next week. After that, I can focus on the Larson case.” He put on a pair of glasses. “Here, take a look at the accounting report. Look at our billables. Now that’s what I’m talking about!” He clapped his hands twice. “I guess my little pep talk worked: first Kiki Turner and now you’ve brought in a client who’s the suspect in a high-profile murder. Did you get Larson to sign the waiver?”

Hollis handed over the sheet of paper.

Bravo, Hollis. I can’t wait for next Tuesday’s management meeting to brag about our teamwork.”

Good grief.

Gordon,” Hollis ventured, “Vince Colton and I are probably going to be out of the office a lot until I get this Bell case turned around.” She looked down at her nails. “We’re not going to be able to work regular hours, so Vince is going to need some overtime. Remember, he helped me locate one of the key victims. It would be really helpful—and cost effective—if I could make liberal use of him to assist in wrapping this up as soon as possible.”

Vince Colton,” Gordon said, puzzled. “Who’s Vince Colton?”

Hollis sighed and told him. Again.

* * *

Once she was home, Hollis immediately entered her notes from the day into her laptop. Odelia was hiding something; she was certain. Could she have killed Bell? But the list of more likely candidates was growing. And as Gordon had said, they only needed to prove reasonable doubt.