—
We’d made it to the curb when Cheryl Najarian ran out, waving her hands. “We found more.”
Milo said, “Money?”
“Whole new level, Lieutenant, Alicia’s counting.”
We returned to the backyard, where Alicia stood near the stack of boxes examining hundred-dollar bills that filled a rumpled manila envelope. Four other envelopes sat atop the stack.
Milo said, “The guys just found it?”
Najarian said, “Nope, my girl Lucy did. In the mattress.”
“In,” he said.
“A slit was cut and all this was slipped into it. Maybe it helped her sleep at night—sorry, don’t want to be mean but this whole thing is wack lunacy.” She shook her head.
Alicia said, “Ten thou in the first. If they’re all like that, we’re talking fiftyK.”
They all were.
Milo said, “Fifty grand inside a mattress. Guess whoever killed her wasn’t privy to that.”
Alicia said, “If I had a daughter with issues, I wouldn’t exactly discuss finances.”
Milo turned to Najarian. “How’s this measuring up against dope dough?”
“Pretty well, actually.” She smiled. “Maybe I should get an armed escort back to Hertzberg.”
“It can be arranged.”
“No, just kidding. Let’s film everything and I’ll narrate like with the first batch. Then I’ll get going and make sure everything’s registered to aT.”
—
Once she’d left with the money, Milo said, “Sixty grand plus that small amount—which was probably petty cash for groceries and the like. But no idea how much was actually taken. If anything was.”
I said, “If no will shows up, it’ll go to probate along with the house. Unless another relative shows up, the daughter’s claim should go smoothly.”
Alicia said, “Butcher Mommy in the tub and profit? If we can prove it.”
Milo said, “Weneedto find her.”
Chapter
13
We waited until Sean and Moe had covered most of the remaining hoard. With only a few feet to go, no more money, no personal documents.
Cheryl Najarian said, “So what’s the decision about all the junk?”
Milo said, “Changed my mind, sorry. I know it’s a big hassle taking it all back but I can’t see handing some defense attorney an opening about concealed evidence.”
“That’s a big jump forward, Lieutenant.”
“What is?”
“From here to a trial.”
