We made a pit stop at Lutz’s office before heading back to Amelie Fashions. Our boss needed to be updated.
“What’s the word?” Bob asked when we walked in.
I set the folder on his desk. “Hal’s as guilty as hell. He closed out Tina’s bank account and put all her money in his own except for fifteen grand that was held back in cash.”
“What was his reason for keeping that money out?”
Frank huffed. “That bastard said he needed it to pay for Tina’s funeral.”
“How much was in his own bank account?”
“Between savings and checking, he had just over thirty grand,” I said.
“That’s plenty of money, and nobody pays for a funeral in cash.”
I nodded. “Which we brought up.”
“Okay, what’s next on your agenda?” Bob glanced at the clock. “You boys take a lunch break yet?”
“Nah, we’ll grab something from a drive-through,” Frank said. “We’re heading back to Amelie Fashions to have a word with Hal’s coworker, Maria Vasquez. They seemed chummy earlier, and we’re pretty sure she’s the dark-haired woman on the hotel video in New York. We’ll press her and see what comes of it.”
Lutz agreed. “Tina’s mom, dad, and sister should be here soon. Right now, they’re downstairs making the ID and discussing the autopsy with Don. There’s no reason her body can’t be released to them after that. I’ll interview the family myself and get their take on Tina and Hal’s relationship.”
I patted the doorframe before walking out. “Sounds good, and we’ll keep you updated.”
We made a quick stop at a burger joint and ate as we headed north. Amelie Fashions was only twenty minutes from our district’s station.
“Think we’ll crack her?” Frank bit off a mouthful of cheeseburger and stuffed it in his cheek.
I looked out my window. “Is the sky blue?”
Frank glanced up. “It is today. Must be a sign.”
“She’ll crack. She’s too young to know any better. Hmm…”
“What?”
“Maybe she orchestrated the hit. A young woman infatuated with a married man that won’t get divorced. He’s happy to fool around but won’t commit to her because of the financial loss he’d have. Hal may have put the idea in her head but literally wanted to keep his hands clean. She does have a Spanish name, you know.”
Frank laughed. “So, that automatically means she’s related to the Mexican mob?”
“Possibly. At least we can start with that.”
Frank parked our cruiser in the same structure as before, and we returned to the nineteenth floor unannounced. The receptionists looked surprised to see us exit the elevator again.
“Gentlemen, did you leave something behind?”
I responded as we walked to the counter. “You could say that. We need a word with Maria Vasquez.”
“She’s in a meeting at the moment.”
Frank took over. “Sure, which way is that conference room?”
“Sir?”
“Either you can go get her, or we will. Makes no difference to us.”
That million-dollar smile the receptionist had given us earlier was replaced with a disapproving scowl. “Just a minute.”
She stood up and pulled the knob of a door behind her. Frank and I sat again and waited. With nothing else to do, I paged through some fashion magazines. Seconds later, the distinct click of high heels sounded on the tiled floor. I looked up and watched the hallway, and Maria Vasquez was walking toward us.
“What is this about? I was in a meeting with—”
Frank interrupted. “I’m sure they’ll manage just fine without you. I doubt if your presence is going to make or break a staff meeting. Is there a private place we can talk, or would you rather take a ride to our precinct?”
Her expression changed from smug to scared. “What did I do?”
“We don’t know if you did anything, Maria. We just want to ask you some questions. Now is there a place we can go or not?”
“Follow me.” She led us down a short corridor then turned right. That hallway ended at a set of patio doors, where a table and four chairs sat, and the balcony ahead was lined with benches and potted plants. “We can talk here or go out on the balcony.”
“Let’s go outside,” I said as I gave Frank a subtle wink. “The sky is blue, after all, so why not take advantage of that.”
Frank gestured for Maria to have a seat. She did and wrung her hands in her lap.
“Is there a reason you’re nervous?” I asked.
“I’ve never dealt with the police before.”
“Sure, then we’ll get right to the point,” Frank said. “Were you and Hal Morton having a romantic affair?”
I held back my smile. Frank was very direct and sometimes surprised even me.
Her eyes instantly welled up, and she spilled her guts. “Hal and I are in love. He promised me he’d divorce his wife. I’ve been waiting nearly a year for that to happen, but he always has an excuse to postpone it. Taxes are due, the house needs a new water heater, the kids won’t understand. He has a different reason every time the subject comes up.”
“You do know his wife was brutally murdered, don’t you?”
Maria held her tongue.
I gave Frank a side-eyed glance. “Did you have anything to do with that?”
“I probably need a lawyer.”
I pulled back in surprise. “Really? That fast, huh? Do you care in the least that Hal’s wife is dead?”
“Not particularly. It isn’t like I knew her.”
I shook my head in astonishment. “Wow, that’s cold. You have this one and only chance to come clean with us, Maria. You, or you and Hal, orchestrated the murder of his wife. We know both of you were conveniently in New York and Hal knew his kids would be at that birthday party. Text messages between him and Tina confirmed that. You have family in the area?”
Maria made eye contact with me for a second. “Of course, a lot of family.”
“How about brothers?”
“Two older brothers.”
“Names?”
“Antonio and Mauricio. Why?”
“Hmm. That makes me wonder if they’re responsible for slashing our tires earlier.”
She stared at her manicure. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now, where’s that lawyer?”
I closed my notepad and stood. “Come on. You’re going back to the precinct with us. You can call your lawyer from the station.”
I dialed Henry as Frank drove, and Maria sat in the back seat with her hands cuffed behind her.
“Detective Henry Johnson speaking.”
“Hey, pal, it’s Jesse. Pull the names Antonio and Mauricio Vasquez and see if they’re in the system. We’re heading back in with their sister, Maria.”
“If they have records, the info will be on your desk by the time you get here.”
“Thanks, bud.” I clicked off the call and looked over my shoulder at Maria. “The clock is ticking.”