Natalie shook her head. “I think we still need to bring this to Pataki.”
“Haven’t we made enough of a spectacle of ourselves with the New Haven police?” Liam asked.
“Liam, they need to look for evidence at the boyfriend’s place.” When Liam didn’t look convinced, Natalie said, “If you won’t help me, I’ll just march right back in that apartment building and get Ralph to investigate for me. Maybe he can go into Peter’s apartment and look for evidence.”
Liam reached for the key in the ignition. “Evidence that will be inadmissible in court. No. We’ll just go back to Pataki.”
Natalie smiled. “Thank you, sweetie. Harper, we’re heading to the police station.”
“Okay, call me back when you know anything.”
“I will. And keep the ghosts nearby in case I have any follow-up questions.”
“Will do,” Harper said.
Over Harper’s voice, Natalie heard Lionel’s grumbling. “So now I’m no longer an individual? Just part of the group referred to as the ghosts. Lovely.”
“Get used to it, buddy,” Gabe said before Harper disconnected the call.
Natalie put the cell down and glanced at Liam. “I really think this is the break in the case we need.”
Liam shot her a sideways look. “I hope Pataki agrees with you.”
Chapter Thirty
The portly officer had just shoved a thick sandwich of what looked like pastrami into his mouth when Liam and Natalie slid into the opposite bench seat of his booth at the diner.
Pataki put the sandwich down. “Now what?”
“What? You’re not happy to see us?” Liam asked, the question dripping in sarcasm.
“We’ve had a break in the case,“ Natalie said.
Meanwhile, Liam raised is hand to signal the waitress. “We’ll take one of those to share and two cups of coffee, please.”
Natalie shot him a frown.
“What?” he asked. “I’m hungry.”
“Fine.” She let Liam order for them both because, one, she had more important things to focus on, like catching a murderer. And two, that sandwich that barely fit on the platter in front of Pataki did look really good.
The police officer drew in a big breath that inflated his barrel chest. “You know, when Garland said she was taking a personal day today, I figured it was going to be a nice easy shift. Seems I was wrong.”
“This is important. We have information pertinent to your case,” Natalie said.
“Miss Chase. It’s not my case. It’s definitely not your case. It’s homicide’s case now.”
She nodded. “Yes, technically, but we have an advantage they don’t.”
“Oh? And what is that, Nancy Drew? He’s a doctor. You’re a shop owner. What can you do that we can’t?” Pataki asked.
Natalie hesitated. For one, she could talk to ghosts. She didn’t want to tell him that or about Ralph or Lionel… but maybe she didn’t have to.
“Well, I know—I mean knew—Lionel personally. You didn’t. And I know we assumed he had no real enemies, even though he was a bit of an ass sometimes. Most times. But he did make an enemy. And I know who.”
“Please, enlighten me.” After a longing glance at his uneaten sandwich, Pataki leaned against the back of the seat and rested both hands on his belly, waiting.
“Lionel’s killer is the boyfriend of the female TA,” Natalie announced. “And if you search the boyfriend’s things, I bet you find enough evidence to convict him.”
