“Can I have my phone call?” he asked.
Inhaling deeply, Taggart said, “After we are done.”
After the photos and prints, Taggart returned Kieran to his desk and handed him the phone. “Olivetti, she’s in real danger. I haven’t had a chance to write the report, but we are looking for a predatory or rejected stalker. I don’t care if she has a contract or not, I want her safe. Maybe just send me one of our attorneys.” He hit himself in the head with the receiver. “When? The arraignment is in the morning. Thanks, Tony.”
“My lawyer is coming, and so is my brother.” Kieran blew out a groan combined with a laugh. “How is Detective Jack-off?”
Taggart chewed his cheek and looked up at the ceiling. “They were able to set his nose manually, no surgery.”
“That’s good news. I’ll cover the costs his insurance doesn’t, as well as whatever leave he needs in salary and his usual overtime,” Kieran offered.
“I’ll let him know, but don’t count on him dropping the charges.” Taggart stood.
“I’m not, but it’s the right thing to do.” Now calm, Kieran dropped his chin to his chest and sighed.
* * *
The Omni wasdifferent from the Fairmont Del Mar. Tall and modern, the hotel sat in the Gaslamp Quarter. Kieran had arranged for a suite with an adjoining room with a king bed. Delphine and Julian shared a suite with Martin taking an adjoining room with two double beds.
Martin held the door for her. “Madame, the suite has one king bed, and the adjoining room has a king bed as well. If you will follow me.”
“Martin, please call me Monique. I’d like to put my things away and then sit by the pool if that’s alright?”
“That would be fine.” He watched her head into the room where he’d placed her baggage.
Julian stood with his hands on his hips. “You do realize the pool is perfect for a sniper?”
“I do. Tony sent a level-three team. Troy and the team are sweeping it now.”
“Catch some sleep. I’ve got it from here.” Julian leaned against the wall.
* * *
The Bombardier GulfSteam jet touched down at the San Diego International Airport. Ian pulled down his Oakley sunglasses to shield his eyes from the bright afternoon sun. Zach “Ice” Wentworth walked in step with his boss, his laser-blue eyes shrouded in military grade sunglasses. The third passenger, Chase Group Attorney Brock Carpenter, walked with them, briefcase in hand.
A black Navigator with tinted windows was waiting for them. Tony Olivetti stepped from the passenger seat. “How was the trip?”
“Not how I wanted to spend my day,” Ian grumped.
“Smooth’s brother is doing his best to slow things down. The video connection failed, and he couldn’t be arraigned today. If we can’t get Detective Boone on board, the ADA is not invested in seeing him charged with a felony; he’ll go for the misdemeanor. But if Detective Boone will go for a deal, the ADA has no issue, other than seeing Kieran enroll in an anger management class and a violation.”
Ian laughed. “Have you thought about a career in stand-up? Anger management and Kieran Chase in the same sentence.”
The four men got into the vehicle, where Mia Donnelly was in the driver’s seat. “Ice, I’ll drop you off at the hotel before we head to the Northwestern Division. Julian sent an exhausted Martin to bed. We have a level-three team doing perimeter work with Troy. Madame Lillier is, at last check, knitting at the pool. Her manager remains unresponsive on a vent. They identified the poison as foxglove—it works like digoxin, a cardiac medication causing heart failure and an irregular heartbeat.
“The cat necropsy is in progress. Julian reported Madame Lillier remains quite distraught. He is worried if her manager dies, she may harm herself,” Mia said.
“Ice, feel her out. Ask Troy to find out her particulars, also call the Lyon police, find out what they told Kieran and ask the hard questions. My idiot brother didn’t do an intake interview. I need to know who this woman is to keep her safe,” Ian asked.
“Yes, sir,” Zach said.
* * *
After hoursof legal and financial wrangling, Detective Boone agreed he slipped and fell, and Detective Beck claimed he never saw his partner fall. The Chase Group agreed to provide a college scholarship for their current and future children, fund their police athletic league and pay for a police K-9. And with a kick from Ian, Kieran agreed to attend an anger management program.
The ride to the hotel started off in silence. Ian drove a company Audi, his eyes fixed on the road. Kieran turned in his seat. “I’m sorry. I realize the damage to the company this could have done. It was unprofessional and stupid.” His brows crunched. “Are you going to say anything?”
“No, I like hearing you grovel.” Ian chuckled. “You don’t usually do things like this. She must be special.”
