“Ballistics confirmed the bullet that killed Dean matched the S&W .380 found at the crime scene. The gun is registered to April Vale. Her fingerprints were on it.”
“I figured. Anything on the cameras in the parking lot?”
“Unfortunately, no cameras out there.”
“Cell phone calls?”
“Nothing after Dean left the Derby. Earlier he talked to some of the people in his office, nothing that seemed out of the ordinary.”
“What about the tox screen?”
“Came back this morning. Confirmed Rohypnol in April’s blood. Nothing in Dean’s blood but alcohol, which we already knew.”
“So she was drugged, just like she said. You think the department would support a self-defense claim?”
“The way it looks they probably would. There’s not much doubt about what happened. Dean drugged her, tried to rape her, and she shot him. The guy took on the wrong woman and got what he deserved.”
If the cops accepted what the facts supported so far, the matter could be easily resolved and April would be off the hook.
“Thanks, Heath. Keep me posted.”
“As much as I can.”
Jonah ended the call and phoned Nate Temple. He had worked with Temple before and respected him. Nate said he had spoken to the police then phoned April and reported the status of the investigation so far. He had explained the working theory that she’d acted in self-defense.
Jonah was only mildly surprised to find out April had refused to accept the explanation and take the easy out.
“She’s convinced David Dean was murdered,” Temple said, “and not by her. She wants you to keep working the investigation.”
“No problem.” Jonah found himself admiring the lady. She could save herself a lot of money and a helluva lot of trouble if she just went along with the flow.
According to Temple, after what had happened, the mayor had insisted April take a few days off. Which was good. Jonah needed more information, and April was one of his best resources.
He set up a meeting Monday morning in a little café called Burgers and More, which was close to his office on Blackburn Street and not too far from April’s town house on Bowser. He figured she would relax, be more at ease in a more casual environment.
Seated at a booth in the back, he spotted her through the window, hurrying along the sidewalk toward the front door. She was dressed in a pair of skinny jeans that showed off her long legs and a world-class ass. All that fiery hair made him itch to grab a fistful and hold on while he devoured those plump red lips.
Fortunately, he was a professional. He reminded himself to act like one.
He was waiting for her up front when she walked into the café. High heels pushed her up to eye level with him.
“I’ve got a booth for us in the back,” he said.
“Great.” She turned and walked in front of him toward the rear of the café, giving him a chance to admire her lovely behind. They reached the empty red vinyl booth and she slid in across from him.
“You want coffee or something else?” he asked. “Maybe something to eat?”
“Coffee’s great.”
He motioned to Molly, a longtime waitress, silver-haired and slightly stoop-shouldered but as hardworking as a twenty-year-old. He’d been coming to the café for years. The employees all knew him and he knew them.
“Two coffees, Molly. Black.”
“Right away, Jonah.” She hustled off, then hurried back with two heavy china mugs. Setting them down on the table, she filled them to the brim, turned and rushed off to another table.
“How you holding up?” Jonah asked, lifting his mug and taking a drink. It was scalding hot, just the way he liked.
She raked a hand through her heavy dark red hair, shoving it away from her face. “I’m not sure. Every time I close my eyes I see David lying there in all that blood.”
