Page 85 of Family Affair

Chapter 19

Coco’s boss Aaron didn’t like trouble.

She knew it because he told her so. He repeated it so many times and in so many different contexts, always with eyes squinted and lips pursed, that she knew with absolute certainty: trouble was evil.

“I’ll be watching you, like I watch all my employees,” Aaron had told her on her first day of work. “Any sign of trouble, and I’ll be on you like white on rice.”

That threat alone went a long way toward curbing Coco’s already nonexistent impulses to cause trouble.

The only problem with his outlook was the definition of trouble that Aaron went by. No issue was small enough for Aaron. No situation insignificant and no problem trivial. “Trouble” included each and every issue of personal nature. Having personal life was, in and by itself, trouble.

In view of such unyielding judgments and elevated expectations, the visit from Detective Smirnoff amounted to the catastrophe of monumental proportions with deep impact on the company’s productivity.

The detective simply appeared in her office out of nowhere, a nice, portly gentleman with a bushy beard and protruding belly. Nothing heralded his arrival - no preliminary phone call, no scheduled appointment, no one buzzing her from the downstairs reception area. He simply walked in, a stranger to her.

"Good morning, Ms. Milroy. You're doing well this morning, I hope?" He smiled kindly.

"Yes, thank you." Coco smiled back, surprised. "May I help you?"

"I hope so! I'm Detective Smirnoff, Atlanta PD, homicide." He extended his badge for her inspection.

Unlike Willis, this one didn't look threatening, but a sense of foreboding stirred, and she slid a covert glance toward Aaron's open door. "Pleased to meet you, Detective. Are you here to talk to me?"

"I'm here to talkaboutyou, but if you can answer a couple of my questions first, I'd be obliged." His words may be apologetic, but his kind voice wasn't.

"Is this about the affidavit? Cade Sheffield's alibi? I told Detective Willis I'd sign it."

"Detective Willis and I are partners on the case," he explained without enthusiasm, giving Coco an impression that Smirnoff lamented the partnership more than he rejoiced in it. She couldn't say she blamed him. "As far as the affidavit, you can stop by the station any time. Is Cade Sheffield forcing you to sign it?"

"No! No, he isn’t. I’d like to sign it to get it over with and move on."

"If you wish. It isn’t necessary at this point. The recording of your date with Cade is quite sufficient.” He had the grace not to snicker or otherwise acknowledge the nature of the stupid video, although he had undoubtedly seen the graphic tape.

“I see,” Coco issued a noncommittal reply and pointed to the chair next to her desk. “Please, Detective. You said you wanted to talk to me?”

He sat down heavily. “Yes, yes. You have acquired a role in this investigation. No, don’t be alarmed, you have nothing to fear from us. Unless you’re hiding something, of course…” He let the pregnant pause linger, giving her a chance to unburden herself from any misdeeds she might have committed.

After waiting out the pause and seeing that Coco had nothing to offer, Smirnoff continued, “You seem to be an honest, nice person, Catherine. But because you are linked to both Dan and Cade Sheffield, I’m afraid I have to learn a little more about you. And what better place to start than your workplace?” He smiled brightly.

What a better place, indeed, Coco thought, feeling fidgety, guilt weighing on her, demanding she reveal the elusive Pollock drawing’s location.

Damn that tape.

Smirnoff was sitting in her office because they were now questioning her character and the nature of her association with Cade.

“Very well. Would you like to speak with my supervisor?” She hoped against hope he’d say no.

"In a minute. I know you already answered Detective Willis's questions, but please bear with me. I would like to ask you about Cade, alright?"

Inwardly, she cringed. "Alright."

“He came to Atlanta on the night of June twenty-fifth. Does it sound right?”

“Something like that, I’m not sure of the exact date.”

“Did you know in advance that he was coming?”

“No, I had no idea. Dan never said anything to me.”