Page 53 of Killer Honeymoon
Chesterfield scrutinized them through suspicious eyes. “You have any form of ID?”
Sawyer and Royce retrieved business cards from their wallets and handed them to the chief.
“No badges or guns?” Chesterfield asked.
“Locked in our safe at home,” Sawyer replied.
“We’d really hoped that off duty meantoff dutyduring our honeymoon,” Royce added.
Chesterfield quirked a brow. “Yet you’ve got your noses buried in my case.”
“Frank is a family friend,” Sawyer explained. “Would you have acted any differently?”
Chesterfield answered with a noncommittal grunt as he studied their names and positions listed on their business cards. He lifted his head and pinned them with an incredulous look. “Locke and Key. Is this a joke?” the chief asked.
“No, sir,” Royce said. “We got harassed about it when we were partners.”
Chesterfield didn’t look convinced. He retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and dialed. Sawyer and Royce listened as he identified himself before asking to confirm the department employed a Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. There was a brief pause and the chief said, “Sure, I’ll hold.” He pushed a button on his phone, and the elevator hold music came through the speaker.
Sawyer and Royce exchanged a knowing look. Whoever answered the phone had most likely put Chesterfield on hold to alert Mendoza.
“What’s that look about?” Chesterfield asked.
Before they could answer, a familiar, authoritative voice came through the line that had all four men standing straighter. It was the Mendoza Effect. “This is Chief Emilio Mendoza. How may I help you?”
“Yes, hello, Chief,” Chesterfield said, then identified himself. “Do you employ detectives Royce Locke and Sawyer Key?”
“Well, I did last week,” Mendoza replied. “This week, they’re on their honeymoon. Next week might be a different story. What have they done?”
“I resent that, Chief,” Royce said. So much for cooler heads prevailing. “We haven’t done anything.”
“They’re interfering in my homicide investigation, sir,” Chesterfield said.
“Let me get this straight,” Mendoza said. Sawyer mentally braced himself for a verbal thrashing, but instead, muffled laughter came through the phone. Mendoza cleared his throat, and Sawyer pictured him forcing a stoic expression onto his face.
“What’s so funny about a homicide?” Chesterfield asked angrily.
“Absolutely nothing,” Mendoza said. “Forgive my reaction, Chief. I’m stunned that those two can’t even go on their honeymoon without stumbling into trouble.”
Chesterfield looked slightly less horrified. “I’m more concerned that they didn’t tell me they were officers the first time I met them. Key lied and said he was a lawyer.”
“That wasn’t a lie,” Mendoza said in quick defense. “Sawyer passed the bar exam but chose a career in law enforcement instead. You’re dealing with two of the finest investigators I’ve had the privilege to work with, Chief. But I, too, am very curious why my brilliant detectives didn’t identify themselves immediately. Do you mind if I have a private word with Key?”
“Why not me, Chief?” Royce protested.
Mendoza’s sigh was heavy. “Because he’s less of a wildcard.”
Chesterfield’s lips twitched in a semblance of a smile as he handed the phone to Sawyer.
“Take me off speakerphone,” Mendoza said.
Sawyer immediately complied and took a few steps to the side. Royce rolled his eyes and led Chesterfield and Lowell into the family room at the back of the house. Sawyer stayed in the foyer and prepared to have his ass handed to him.
“Spit it out,” Mendoza said.
Sawyer brought their chief up to speed, starting with the trouble they’d witnessed the first day and ending with someone breaking into the cottage and taking their investigation notes.
“Why the hell didn’t you identify yourselves?”