He grinned. “When you stop looking at me like you want to nibble on me.”
“Layton,” she warned.
“Alright.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Tell me where you’re at with the case.”
She tapped a stack of manila files. “I have copies of the files for you.”
“And Walcott?”
“Getting worse.” She frowned. “I had a phone call from George Banbury, the manager of Old Mercy Mutual. He’s filed a complaint against Chief Walcott, claims he physically assaulted him yesterday.”
“What happened?” Mac asked, taking the files she offered him.
“Apparently, a resident had been in the bank taking something from a safety deposit box, and he wanted to know what it was. When Mr. Banbury wouldn’t tell him what the item was, Chief Walcott pinned him to the wall and tried to choke him.”
“Jesus, what a mess.” He flipped the file open and started to scan through the notes. “Where is he now?’
“Chief Walcott?” She glanced down at her watch with a small frown. “He was supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”
“Who was the resident?” he asked.
“What?” she replied distractedly.
“You said, a resident at the bank, who was it?”
“Oh, her name is Olivia West,” Tammy muttered.
“Olivia West?” His head snapped up. “Charles Connell’s daughter?”
“Yes.” Her eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”
“After he kidnapped his daughter and escaped from Mercy, he made it as far as Philadelphia. I was one of the arresting officers that night.”
“Small world,” Tammy murmured as she watched him thoughtfully.
“It is,” he agreed. “You know, some cases just stick with you. I remember that one as clear as day.”
“Why is that?”
“Because of Charles Connell.” He cast his mind back. “He was mad when we took him in, and I don’t mean angry, I mean absolutely ranting. Something about a demon and a trap. Last I heard, he was locked up in a mental institution.”
“Not anymore,” she muttered.
His eyes widened. “They let him out?”
Tammy shook her head. “He escaped and is on the run. I would have thought you would have heard about it. They sent out a news bulletin to all law enforcement agencies.”
“I’ve been out of the loop since the shooting.”
Something about the way he said that made her wonder if there was more to his leave than he was saying.
“Well, anyway”—Tammy glanced again at her watch—“I have a meeting in an hour that I need to prepare for. Audrey has booked you in at The Black Cat.”
“The motel over on North Hill Road?” His voice softened. “Yeah, I remember it.”
Tammy blushed, avoiding his gaze. “If you have any questions with regard to the case files, just contact my office.”
He nodded as he turned to leave. “You know, Tammy”—he glanced back to her as she looked up— “last time I was here, I never did get an answer to my question.”
