“Huh?”
Bel Geddes contented herself with an eye-roll once Heck’s back was turned.
Milo said, “Darren Alberts.”
“Total dirtbag,” said Heck. “But I guess you know that.”
“What’d you do at Alberts’s firm?”
“Just what I do anywhere. Organization, making sure files are in order and bills are paid promptly. Sometimes they throw in some marketing—contacting media. But not for Alberts, he did all that stuff himself. Loved the attention. I was there for three years and never gave what they were doing a thought. Then calls began coming in, then people started talking, you know? Once I smelled what was going on, I saidI’m outta hereand gave notice. Thank God it was just before.”
“Before what, Mike?”
Bel Geddes said, “I think what Michael’s alluding to is patently obvious—”
Heck said, “Before the whole thing went tits-up. Even with that, I was questioned by you guys. And I had no problem saying exactly what I knew. Which was zero—nothing. But you guys kept at me. But no big deal, when you’re telling the truth, you’re mellow.”
Milo glanced atme.
I said, “What made you think about the Alberts firm with regard to Sophie?”
Bel Geddes’s eyes widened.
Before she could speak, Heck said, “I really don’t know. Just searching. Grasping at straws. Someone tried to ruin my life. So I guess I could see someone at Darren’s possibly being pissed at me. Because A, I quit just before all the problems, and B, maybe they found out the police talked to me even though I had nothing to tell the police but thought I did.”
Milo said, “Who, specifically, do you think might be pissed?”
“That’s the thing, I really can’t think of anyone. Darren ran that place differently from a normal firm. Basically he was the emperor and everyone else was like…his peasant. Or serf, whatever you want to call it. So normally, I’d say if it was anyone it would be Darren but he’s senile. So that’s what’s confusing me.”
“Any employees in particular we should be looking at?”
“Racked my brains and couldn’t think of anyone.”
“One-man show,” said Milo. “But the little I know about Darren’scase says some of the people doing the serious lifting might not have been office folk. Like the doctors he relied on.”
Heck said, “Doubtful. Stuff like that would never be at a desk.”
“You never saw any sketchy people come into the office?”
“Sure I did,” said Heck. “What I assumed were the people Darren was representing. But I didn’t pay attention—Oh man, should I be scared?”
“I can’t tell you that, Mike, but seeing as someone tried to frame you, you might want to be careful.”
“Oh shit,” said Heck. “Here I am, wanting to put it out there because I really want to know who killed Sophie. And not gonna lie, I want to know why he set me up. But now I’m thinking it’s not over.” His cheeks puffed as he exhaled.
Bettina Bel Geddes said, “I’m assuming you’re talking about criminal types, Michael.”
“Why not, takes one to know one,” said Heck. “Darren was a really bad guy so makes sense he’d hang with really bad guys. But I had no contact with them. Not ever.”
He rubbed his brow, kneading the spot between his eyes until it pinkened. “You know, this has really got me thinking. I’m going to get the hell out of Dodge. At least until you can tell me something that makes me feel better, Lieutenant.”
Milo said, “Whatever you need to feel safe, Mike.”
Bel Geddes muttered, “Gee, thanks for granting permission.”
“The thing is, Mike, even if someone was out to get you, can you see them sacrificing Sophie just for that?”
“Sacrificing.” Heck’s lower lip trembled, causing the soul patch to bounce up and down. “That sounds horrible. Oh man, I hope I didn’t cause her—”
