“Thosetear-off things,” said Hillaire Roget. “Primitive. My sister and I teased him but like I said, stubborn. Did someone he drove do this?”
Milo said, “It’s very early, Doctor. We’re working out the details.”
“Do you have a suspect?”
“No, sir.”
“Any clues—what do you call them—leads?”
“Not yet, sir.”
“So nothing,” said Roget. “Good God, this is unreal…will there be an autopsy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can you at least tell mehowhe died?” said Hillaire Roget. “Do I want to know?”
“Single gunshot wound. He wouldn’t have suffered.”
“Father hated guns. Never touched a firearm after he was discharged from the Haitian army. I want to come out as soon as possible to bring him back. When may I do that?”
“I’d give it at least a week or so, Doctor. I’ll call you. And you call me anytime you have a question. Here’s my number.”
“Hold on, I’ll get a pen.” Scratchy noises. Exhalation. “Okay.”
Milo recited the numbers slowly. Hillaire Roget recited them back.
“That’s it, Doctor. Are you and your sister the only close relatives?”
“Just us,” said Roget. “My sister and I work together. Madeleine’s a podiatrist.”
“No family here in L.A.?”
“None. God, how are Madeleine and I going to tell our kids? They last saw Father two Christmases ago. We flew him out, first-class. He kept making fun of that, snooty-hooty this, snooty-hooty that. Teasing us about why we picked him up at the airport instead of letting him drive. The kids love him. He loved them…this is…a horror.”
“Again, Doctor, so sorry. Do I have your permission to enter and search your father’s residence?”
“Why would you need my permission?”
“Without it I’ll need to apply for what’s called a victim’s warrant. I’ll certainly get one but your permission would speed things up.”
“Of course, whatever helps,” said Hillaire Roget.
“Would it help to talk to your sister?”
“I doubt she can add anything and I’d rather inform her myself—that’sgoing to be wonderful. This is the most horrid day of my life. This and when Mother passed.”
—
Milo clicked off. “That was fun.”
He looked at his Timex. “You up for Alvarez? Take us a while to get downtown.”
“Sure.” I texted Robin.Not sure when I’ll be back.
No prob, I’m in the studio.
Making a left turn on Olympic was tricky but Milo seemed to enjoy the challenge. Setting off a chorus of car-horns, he muscled into an eastbound lane.
