Page 65 of Killer Honeymoon
Sawyer walked over to Frank’s holding cell. “Everything’s okay, Frank. We’re just tucking the two of you down here to make sure you stay safe. No charges are going to be filed against either one of you.”
Frank scratched his belly as he looked at each of the men. “What’s happening out there?”
Leighton walked over to the bars separating their cells. “It’s bad news, Frank.” The mayor looked at Chesterfield. “Would it be possible to put me in with Frank? Maybe we can play some cards to pass the time?”
Chesterfield turned his attention to Frank. “That okay with you?”
“Yeah, sure,” the gruff, older man said. “I don’t have any cards.”
“Lowell has a deck in his desk,” Chesterfield said. “He doesn’t think I know he plays solitaire when it’s slow.”
“Most people play it on their phones these days,” the mayor said as Chesterfield unlocked Frank’s cell door for him.
“Guess we’ll give the kid credit for doing things the old-fashioned way,” the chief quipped.
Once Frank and the mayor were secure, Sawyer, Royce, and Chesterfield headed back upstairs. After a brief discussion with Lowell, the young officer took the deck of cards down to the holding cells.
“Finding Gary and Evan are our priorities,” Chesterfield said. “Lowell and I will look for Gary. Will you guys check out the bars to see if you can locate Evan before Gary does?”
Sawyer bit back a groan. He’d rather face a gun-toting psycho than that mouthy punk any day of the week. “Lowell didn’t have any luck when he talked to Juno?”
“Nah,” Chesterfield said. “She confirmed Evan was with her during the storm, so it’s unlikely he shot either Moore or Browning, though the coroner could give us a time of death for Browning that will change my mind. For now, I’m focusing on Gary as our killer and Evan as his next target.”
“Sure, Chief,” Royce said. “We’ll see if we can find someone who might know where he is.”
The chief’s cell phone rang, sounding incredibly shrill, and he answered the phone without checking the ID. “This is Chief Chesterfield.” A woman’s hysterical voice came from his phone. “Calm down, Samira. Take a few deep breaths, then start over. I couldn’t understand a word you just said.”
Sawyer and Royce glanced at each other when the chief identified Gary’s assistant as the caller.
Samira must’ve done as the chief asked because there was a quiet pause before she resumed speaking in a lower tone and at a slower cadence. Unfortunately, the call wasn’t on speaker, so they couldn’t hear what she said.
The chief’s brow furrowed, and he said, “Uh-huh. I see. I’m on my way right now. Do you feel safe?” He listened some more. “Okay. I’ll meet you at Gary’s house.” They disconnected, and Chesterfield met Sawyer’s and Royce’s curious gazes. “Someone broke into Gary’s house, ransacked the place, and emptied the vault.”
Sawyer crossed his arms over his chest. “He did that to throw you off the trail. He’s probably planning to fake his own death and frame someone else.”
“That’s what I think too,” Chesterfield said. “Samira didn’t search the entire house to see if Gary was inside. She called his name but didn’t get an answer, so she retreated to her car and called me.”
“He knew his assistant would come looking for him when he remained MIA,” Royce said. “I don’t think for a second you’ll find Gary’s body in there.”
“Nor do I,” the chief said. “I’ll search the premises to ensure no one is hurt or dead. Then I’ll seal it up tight and get a proper warrant to search. I don’t want to risk a future case being thrown out on a technicality.” Chesterfield put his hands on his hips and sighed. “That reminds me. I’d appreciate it if you’d get my ex-wife off my back.”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged a glance before Sawyer said, “We don’t follow, Chief.”
“Chandra Kilpatrick,” he replied. “She’s representing Frank. I assumed one of you called her, but maybe it was Loretta.”
Sawyer raised his hand. “Guilty, but I didn’t know she was your ex-wife. My uncle Huxley is an attorney in Sandusky, but he handles civil cases like my father. I asked him for a referral for Frank, and she was the lead he gave me.” Sawyer recalled her remark about the chief not being wholly incompetent. At the time, he’d considered it a lukewarm compliment. Knowing they were ex-spouses and legal adversaries shed new light on the remark. The attorney had paid the chief a glowing compliment in her own way.
Chesterfield quirked a brow and his lips curved into a wry smile. “What did Chandra say about me?”
Sawyer feigned innocence, but the chief didn’t fall for it and prodded him. “She said you weren’t wholly incompetent.”
Chesterfield threw his head back and laughed. “Christ, I needed that bit of levity. It’s probably the nicest thing she’s said about me since our divorce.” He shook his head, but the wry smile clung to his lips. “Between you and me, there’s no way I’d want to face her in court, especially if I screwed up an investigation. She’d embrace thekillin Kilpatrick.” His remark was even funnier since his first name was Patrick.
Royce patted Chesterfield on the shoulder. “Heard you loud and clear, Chief.” Then he looked at Sawyer. “Ready to go, GB?”
Chesterfield narrowed his eyes and cocked his head to the side. “GB? Dare I ask what it stands for?”
Sawyer groaned and Royce said, “Golden Boy. It’s a nickname the press gave him after solving his first cold case years ago. He’s continued to be their darling ever since.”