The handcuffs cut into Steve’s wrists. “Hey, Long. I don’t mind wearing your bracelets, but these are way too tight.”
“I warned you, Smiley. Interfering with a police investigation is a serious offense.”
Heather’s voice cut through the night. “Did you get an arrest warrant?”
“He’s not under arrest. Mr. Smiley is being detained for questioning.”
“Then take the cuffs off and question him.”
“Because of the complexity of the case, all questioning will take place at our homicide office in Houston.”
Steve broke in. “Don’t waste your breath. He’s only doing what he was told.”
“Do you consider my client to be a high escape risk?”
“Departmental policy states: ‘Persons detained will be mechanically restrained for the officer’s safety.’”
Heather huffed. “It’s also departmental policy to use other means of restraint in special circumstances. My client poses no threat of physical harm and he’s incapable of escape.”
“She’s right,” said a second voice.
Steve asked, “Is that you again, Bernie?”
“Yeah, Steve. I hate this, but we’re following instructions.”
Heather broke in. “Did your supervisor tell you to violate department policy by affixing handcuffs too tight and not taking into consideration that Steve is blind?”
Hands brushed against Steve’s wrists.
“What are you doing?” asked Detective Long.
“I’m keeping the city from getting sued and you from losing your job. The senior detective here is me. I say Steve’s hands are going to the front, and I’ll determine how tight they’re to be worn.”
“Thanks, Bernie. You can catch me up on the office gossip on the way to Houston.” He paused. “I doubt we’ll make it to the interstate before you bring me back.”
The elder detective led Steve to a vehicle. He whispered, “I’ll take the cuffs off if you want me to.”
Steve matched his voice to that of his former teammate. “Leave them on. I don’t want you to get into any more trouble than you’re going to be.”
Steve asked about Bernie’s wife and children by name as they began their journey. He imagined Detective Long giving Bernie the stink-eye as they conversed freely.
When talk of family played out, Bernie asked, “What’s it like being a PI?”
“It’s good because I have a brilliant partner. I was lucky to have Leo and just as lucky to work with Heather.”
“I hear she’s rich.”
“Rich doesn’t come close to describing her wealth. She’s also smart. I have a hard time keeping up with her.”
“A real looker, too. The way her auburn hair framed her face gave me a hot flash like my wife gets.”
Detective Long’s voice barked out. “Would you two give it a rest? We have two hours to go and I don’t want to hear you codgers talk about hot flashes.”
“How about prostates and getting up three times in the night?” asked Steve.
“Four times for me,” said Bernie. He then chuckled.
“He’s right,” said Steve. “Let’s talk about the case. Did you know Hermann Park isn’t the original crime scene?”
“You’re crazy,” said Detective Long.
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t change the fact that someone killed Amanda on the campus of Rice University and your lieutenant will have egg all over his handsome face. Heather and I have proof.”
“You’re lying.”
Bernie shot back a stern response. “If Steve says the killing took place at Rice University and he has proof, that’s good enough for me.” After a few seconds of silence, Bernie said, “Holy smoke. This isn’t our case. The university police department should be in charge of the investigation.”
“They are now.” said Steve. “That’s one reason you’ll receive a phone call and have to take me back to Mattherson.”
“In your dreams,” said Long. “We did a thorough investigation and have plenty to convict Brian Mattherson.”
“My dreams will be your nightmare.”
The junior detective’s phone rang. He pulled the SUV off the state road and carried on a conversation punctuated with, “Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir. Right away, Sir.”
A string of muffled expletives accompanied the vehicle turning a tight half-circle and accelerating so fast it pressed Steve against the door. Bernie chuckled. “Everything Steve said was true, wasn’t it?”
“Shut up.”
“You’d better get these cuffs off me,” said Steve. “Unless, of course, you want another paragraph in my statement to the press.”
Heather opened the door of the SUV for Steve as soon as it came to a stop in the front driveway. She spoke loud enough for her voice to carry to the front seat. “Did you and the boys have a pleasant ride?”
“I found it satisfying,” said Steve.
She slammed the rear door and guided him up the front steps.
“Did you get everything arranged for the meeting tomorrow evening?”
“All taken care of. We’ll have a full house here at 6:00 p.m.”
“Good. Let’s go to the kitchen. It’s my first time to be arrested. I didn’t know being in cuffs stimulates the appetite. Let’s go find the excess of pies Sara Jane talked about earlier. I couldn’t stop thinking about them on the trip back.”