Page 68 of Exposed

“He had both.”

Mary drew the same conclusion that the police must have, that it wasn’t a robbery. But for them, it made it more likely that Simon had done it. “Is it still an active crime scene?”

“Yes, until we close it.”

“I’d like to go there, as soon as possible.”

“We can arrange that.”

“Have you found the knife that was used?” Mary took another shot. She was on a roll, probably because Detective Lindenhurst wanted to see if Simon would confess in return for a plea deal.

“No, we are actively looking for it. We expect to do better when the rain lets up.”

Mary made a mental note. If the knife was disposed of outside, the rain might contaminate any physical evidence on the knife, like blood or DNA. “So obviously, you’ve ruled out suicide?”

“Yes.” Detective Lindenhurst shook his head. “The medical examiner hasn’t officially classified the death a homicide yet, as I say, but we saw no reason to delay talking with you and your client as soon as possible after Mr. Eddington’s body was found.”

“And why my client? Why call us in, as I asked before?”

“We have spoken with officials at the Tomahawk Country Club and we have determined that security camera footage shows your client’s Ford Explorer entering the parking lot at 5:25P.M.and leaving approximately twenty minutes later, at 5:50P.M.”

“How can you be sure it’s his car? It’s been a torrential downpour tonight. The visibility must be terrible.”

“It’s good enough to make out the vanity plate.”

“So you have footage of the entrance and exit to the parking lot?”

“Yes.”

“How about the parking lot itself?”

“We have most of the parking lot.”

“Were there other cars in the lot?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“Five.”

“Have you questioned those drivers?” Mary said, though she had just gained a bit of valuable information.

“We’re in the process of investigating.” Detective Lindenhurst straightened in the chair, crossing his legs to reveal the leathery edge of an ankle holster. “However, the corner in which Mr. Eddington parked was out of range of the camera. He seemed to have parked at the farthermost point of the lot.” The detective turned to Simon. “So where were you between five and eight o’clock today? Were you driving your car, or was somebody else?”

Mary interjected, “My client is not going to answer that or any other question.”

Detective Lindenhurst continued, still facing Simon, “And if you were driving your car, did you meet Mr. Eddington and if so, what happened?”

Mary answered for Simon, “My client is not going to answer any of those questions. So you need to stop looking at him and start looking at me.”

Detective Lindenhurst turned to her. “It would be in his benefit to talk to us,” he said, keeping his tone light.

“Why is that?” Mary asked, keeping her tone light too.

“Let me explain to you how I see it, Mary.” Detective Lindenhurst leaned over, his expression softening. “You practice civil law, and I happen to know that you tried to settle this case.I admire that. I like when lawyers try to settle civil cases. Why do they do that, would you mind telling me?”

“Because it’s easier than going to court.” Mary knew where he was going, but it didn’t make any difference. It wasn’t going to change anything she did.