Holgersen and Leo were off pursuing the Jon Jacques angles. Leo had come in silent and sullen this morning, nursing a bruised jaw and a mother of a hangover. He’d kept his head down, his mouth shut, and avoided interaction with either Maddocks or Pallorino. It was clear that no one was going to pursue the incident.
“We could just ask Norton-Wells and Raddison to voluntarily give DNA samples, for elimination purposes,” Pallorino said as Maddocks parked his vehicle. She was overtly edgy now that she was alone with him in the car again. Her voice was clipped, and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “At least to see if their profiles are a match to the black hair evidence found on Hocking’s body.”
Maddocks turned off the ignition and inhaled deeply. Looking ahead out of the rain-smeared windshield, he said, “We considered that, since we don’t have grounds for a warrant. But Buziak doesn’t want to risk getting their legal counsel winding up for a fight to quash things before we’re ready. It could send them into damage control mode, which in turn could stymie the investigation and shut down potential avenues of further inquiry. He wants additional evidence—he wants reasonable and probable grounds. And he still wants to keep a tight lid on the connection between the ADAG’s son and the mayor’s aide, because of the MVPD leak, in part.”
“Whendid he tell you this?”
“Earlier this afternoon. We met with legal.”
She stared. “Why was I excluded this time? Doesn’t he trust me?”
“I don’t know who he trusts. I’m lead investigator. It made sense to meet with me.”
“So why didn’tyoutell me this?”
“I just did.”
She swore, got out, slammed the door, popped up a black umbrella, and climbed the stairs to the cathedral entrance at a clip. Maddocks joined her there. From a vantage point next to the doors, they watched as people started to arrive and sift into the church. Other officers watched also—down the street in plainclothes. Two members were filming the crowd. The Cemetery Girl’s funeral was expected to draw large numbers, including the media. Mayor Killion had also made a statement to the press that he would be in attendance to pay his respects. He of course took the occasion to hammer home that he would be taking immediate action to toughen up on crime and to make the city safer.
“There’s Killion’s vehicle pulling up now,” Maddocks said with a nod toward a black town car.
“Bastard,” Pallorino whispered as they watched the mayor alight from the car with Raddison. “They’re using this poor girl’s service as a political event.”
As the crowd swelled, there was no sign of Norton-Wells or Jon Jacques Senior or Junior. Pallorino stiffened suddenly, and drawn by the motion, Maddocks snapped his attention to her.
“What is it?” he said.
“I ... nothing.”
“Nothing is nothing. What did you see?”
“That guy—the tall blond one standing near the west door, wearing the skullcap and black coat—I’ve seen him before.” As if sensing the sudden scrutiny, the man glanced their way. He stilled as his gaze met Pallorino’s across the crowd. Even from here, Maddocks could see that his eyes were the palest blue.
“Where?” he said quietly.
“Just ... last night. I went out.”
“Why’d you go? Why’d you hit the club?”
“What makes you think I went there?”
“I followed you.”
“What? Youfollowedme?” She cursed. “It’s none of your business.”
“You made it mine.”
“Oh, fuck off,” she whispered, eyes glittering with anger, hot spots riding high into her cheeks. “Just fuck the hell off out of my life, okay? You don’t go following me.”
“Did you screw him—that blond guy? Is that why he looked at you like that?” The man was moving away now, down the stairs and into a throng of people lining the sidewalk.
“I said, it’s not your business.”
Maddocks burned inside his gut. His neck was tight. He fought to not fist his hands, fought to keep focus on his job of watching the mourners. He could no longer see the blond Adonis in the crowd. He struggled not to picture her naked on top of him, and it just fueled his anger.
“Besides,” she said under her breath, “you’re no saint yourself.”
“My going to the club that night was a one-off.”
