Page 35 of The Paternity Puzzle
“Why haven’t you asked about my conversation with Eddie?” Royce asked.
“You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
And he would as soon as he believed he hadn’t dreamed the entire thing.
Royce didn’t have to ask if Diego had eaten his cake because there was a smudge of chocolate icing at the corner of his mouth. He should’ve told the younger detective right away, but he kept the tidbit to himself during the trip to the Oaks, through the brief interview at the security booth, and for the drive up to the Matisses’ home. Getting the warrants signed had been easier and faster than Royce had predicted, but the sun had started to set by the time he turned into the long driveway. The dense trees blocked the remaining daylight, making the surrounding forest look dark and dangerous. An eerie vibe settled over the SUV as they made the last turn toward the mansion.
Maybe it was because Royce suspected one of the Matisse women killed Jean Claude. Finding out that there was no record of visitors or deliveries the previous day strengthened his resolve. The only other two who could’ve had easy access to Matisse or his food had left the previous day and hadn’t returned, according to the security guard’s records. Royce would contact both the housekeeper and the chef to take official statements about what they witnessed in the house on Friday, but not until after he spoke with Alyssa and Julia. He couldn’t risk the women destroying evidence if they caught wind that the investigation into Dr. Matisse’s death had swung in a different direction.
“Maybe the women worked together to kill him,” Diego said.
“The thought crossed my mind, especially if either of them overheard Dr. Matisse’s conversations with Felix or Richard Todd.”
Royce parked behind a silver Mercedes and got out of the vehicle. He gestured for the CSU van to pull up next to him, forming a little blockade. His search warrant was limited in scope, so only two techs climbed from the van and approached them. Hattie March and Shannon Juarez looked young enough to be in Royce’s Explorer Academy, but he wasn’t stupid enough to say that out loud. Besides, he’d worked with them long enough to know they were older than they appeared.
Hattie, a shy Black woman, squinted up at Diego while Royce read through the warrant and told them what he needed them to look for. When he finished talking, Hattie got Diego’s attention and gestured at her own mouth with her index finger. “You got a little something…”
Diego whipped out his cell phone and checked out his appearance in the camera’s selfie setting. He rubbed the icing smear off his face and then glared at Royce. “Were you going to tell me I had chocolate on my face?”
Royce forced his eyes wide. “Is that what that was? I thought it was a Madonna beauty mark.”
Shannon, an outgoing Latina, scrunched up her nose and looked at her partner. “Who?”
“Children,” Royce huffed in frustration.
“Don’t listen to Grandpa,” Diego told them. “It’s past his bedtime.”
The massive double doors opened before Royce could respond. Mayor Barclay and a silver-haired man Royce presumed was Richard Todd strode onto the massive front porch.
“Detectives, this behavior is completely inappropriate,” the silver-haired man said. “I’m Richard Todd, the family’sspokesperson. I talked to Commissioner Rigby this morning and stressed that the Matisses didn’t wish to be bothered after Jean Claude’s sudden death and the ghastly slander the local paper printed this morning. The commissioner assured her cooperation. I’m going to call her and—”
Royce silenced him by holding up documents even a first-year law student would recognize. “Commissioner Rigby knows I’m here. I spoke with her before I filed for my warrant.”
“Warrant?” Richard asked. “On what basis?”
Royce handed the legal document to the man before addressing the mayor, who had remained surprisingly calm. “Commissioner Rigby agreed to delay our meeting unless we received information from the medical examiner that prompted a more urgent conversation. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
“I understand,” Mayor Barclay said, though he didn’t sound happy about it.
Richard sputtered as he read through the documents. “I don’t believe this.” The warrant didn’t summarize their suspicions, but it provided the scope of their search and seizure, which often betrayed the direction of their investigation. It was a delicate dance between legal transparency and keeping the cards close to the vest until it was time to reveal your hand. In Royce’s favor, he didn’t think either Alyssa or Julia were seasoned criminals who’d made an art form out of getting away with murder. Richard turned to Barclay and said, “The police think Julia or Alyssa killed Jean Claude.”
Mayor Barclay furrowed his brow. “That’s impossible.”
“Not in my line of work, sir,” Royce said. “And we’re not accusing Julia or Alyssa of anything. We’re gathering additional evidence for the investigation into Dr. Matisse’s death. The process could also exonerate your clients.”
“Try that bullshit on someone who hasn’t practiced law for nearly four decades,” Richard scoffed as he smacked the warrantagainst the mayor’s chest. “I might be retired, but I’m not stupid.”
Barclay flinched before taking the paperwork from his hand. “I’m not a lawyer, Rick. I don’t know what I’m reading.”
Richard opened his mouth to answer him, but Royce held up a hand. “I want to have this conversation just once. Step aside so Detective Fuentes and I can come in with our technicians. I’ll need to speak with Alyssa and Julia Matisse immediately.”
“Do as he says, Rick,” Mayor Barclay said. “I know Commissioner Rigby well. They wouldn’t be here without just cause.”
“It’s utter bullshit.” The attorney’s face was a startling shade of red as he glared at Royce.
“We’ll have to let this play out because neither you nor I can disregard a warrant. I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of going to jail for obstructing justice.”
It didn’t seem like Richard Todd intended to cooperate, but after a prolonged silent exchange between the men, the attorney stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. His dark eyes flashed with outrage, and he jabbed his finger in the air near Royce. “I intend to watch you closely and ensure you don’t search or seize anything not specifically spelled out in this warrant.”