"Can anyone verify that?”
"Nope. I live alone.”
Tucker had as much motivation as anyone else to kill the dentist.
"When was the last time you were at Dr. Latham's office?”
His face scrunched up as he thought about it. "I suppose that was a few months ago. I went back a couple of times and gave her an opportunity to sort it out. But she just kept blowing me off. Said I needed to see a periodontist. Thought it was some type of gum issue.” He shook his head in frustration. "I ended up needing aroot canal. Let me tell you, that was a lot of fun. All for what? I'm still trying to figure it out.”
"I guess it's safe to say you're more than a little upset.”
"You're damn right about that.”
"Mad enough to kill?”
"You bet. But I ain’t stupid.”
"Did you go back up to the office last night and take revenge?"
"Nope. I didn't kill her.” Then he said, “But please tell me she met with a painful end. It would make me feel so much better."
"I think you got your wish.”
"I would imagine I'm not the only one she messed up. I bet you can find plenty of people just like me who’d be more than willing to give her a taste of her own medicine.”
"If you were going to kill her, how would you do it?"
Tucker grinned. "I’d tie that bitch to the chair and drill out every one of her teeth. Without anesthesia." He reveled in the thought of it. "Yep. That's exactly what I’d do!"
36
We didn’t have enough probable cause to arrest Tucker. I figured if he was the killer, he wouldn't be stupid enough to describe the exact method. Then again, Tucker may not have been the brightest bulb in the box.
He refused to give a DNA sample or fingerprints.
I wasn't ruling him out.
We hopped into the Porsche and drove across the island to Dr. Tillman's office. His building was considerably nicer than Dr. Latham's. It was in a high-rise office building that had a bank on the first floor and 40 stories of everything from lawyers to financial consultants.
We took the elevators up to the ninth floor and pushed into the lobby that was decked out with imported marble tile, plush furnishings, and abstract art. It had a soothing ambience.
The receptionist behind the counter greeted Jack with a smile.
"Jack Donovan. I’ve got a 4:00 PM."
"Ah yes, new patient. We spoke on the phone. How are you feeling?”
"I've been better," Jack said.
She smiled. "Well, hopefully Dr. Tillman can get you all fixed up."
"That would be wonderful.”
She gave Jack a tablet to fill out patient information. We took a seat in the lounge, and he started filling out the forms.
My phone buzzed with a call from Joel. "Okay, here's the deal."
I listened intently.
