“So take a look at any murderers she busted who might be back on the street.”
“Or their relatives.”
Milo said, “I’ll do it.”
I said, “Don’t want to complicate things but despite everything I just said, it’s possible Lynne was the starting point. He learned about the money from her, stalked her when she walked to Martha’s, then returned and began educating himself about Martha’s routine. If Genevieve Winslow’s dog means anything, the murder began with his showing up during the early-morning hours. But he could’ve positioned himself in Martha’s backyard and overpowered her when she emerged later.”
Milo said, “Maybe he got her when she was carrying something out to the deep-freeze and got an idea.”
Villalobos said, “Oh man. Bad, bad dude. Then he goes for Lynne a couple days later.”
“The next time she walked to Martha’s,” I said.
Milo said, “Sounds like someone who worked at Safe Place.”
Villalobos slapped his pad. “Mr. Airforce. Definitely going to educate myself about him.”
Milo said, “I checked and no criminal record.”
“So he changed his name. Bad Dude 101.”
“You have a point,” said Milo. “Someone like Le Gallee, Lynne would’ve trusted to give her a ride to Mama’s. Once she’s in his vehicle, she’s finished. He takes her somewhere and beats her to death.”
Villalobos said, “Head wound. Wherever he did it, there’s gonna be lots of blood. But one question, Doc. If he knew he was gonna do both of them, why not pull it off when they were both at Martha’s?”
I said, “One victim at a time was easier.”
Two sets of chopsticks tilted like tiny lances.
“Efficient,” said Milo.
“Dirty word,” said Villalobos. “Hey, this food is pretty darn good.”
Chapter
24
Just as both detectives cleaned their plates the waiter showed up, grinning. “Dessert, guys? We’ve got some great ones.”
Villalobos said, “Better not.”
Milo shook his head.
The waiter said, “We’ve got a mochi special and it’s on the house.”
“Well,” said Villalobos, “can’t be rude.”
—
We left the restaurant and walked to where their Impalas sat side by side. Milo’s an unsettling greenish bronze, Villalobos’s black.
Villalobos said, “Had that mochi stuff before—Little Tokyo’s in my beat. Chewy but once I got used to it I liked it.”
Milo said, “Interesting.”
“Ha. That’s what we used to call homely dates. Okay, I’ll get the warrant for Safe Place, go through whatever possessions poor Lynne had, and check out the staff for maniacs. We’ll keep each other posted.”
“Sounds like a plan, Hector.”
