Adduné - the Vampire's Game (27 page)

“
She got conked on her fucking head! We both know that because there were witnesses to it! She went home and overslept. It makes perfect sense and there was a reason for her to be there. I’m telling you that you’re barking up the wrong tree. We’re looking for someone that didn’t have a reason to be there – someone that wanted to murder Sara Puhlman and had to wait until she was working alone. Or someone that took advantage of the situation. Saw the lights on – peered through the window and saw that she was all alone. You know that her office had that window behind her desk. You can see it from the parking lot. She was an easy target. And 10:00 PM isn’t that late.”

“
We only have her word for that. It could have been later. How about midnight? That’s when Puhlman was murdered.”

“
You’re way off base! We just agreed she didn’t have the strength to commit this crime!”

“
Alright then, she did show up at 10:00, but only to case the joint. Find out who was there.”

“
And you know this how? Oh, that’s right! All this only exists in your imagination! And you’re telling me you don’t have it in for this girl?”

Perrone was getting frustrated. Part of what Reiser was saying made sense so he couldn’t dismiss it entirely, but there was a part that didn’t. Perrone didn’t have it out for Rachel – he just had a feeling about her … and her story. Something about it felt wrong, but what? What was she holding back?

Perrone didn’t like being in this predicament. He wasn’t used to being challenged by someone that didn’t have seniority. Who the hell was Reiser to be questioning his motivation? He should back him. Back him no matter what. That’s what partners were for.

“
Look, you don’t like the
way I’m doing my job, why don’t
you
file a complaint? Right now, I’m trying to find a lead ‘cause we sure don’t have one at this point! Now either shut-up or leave and wait in the car – I don’t care which! But either way, I’m going to do my fucking job the way I see fit! You got that? Cause if you don’t, it’ll be me that files a complaint – about you!”

Perrone whirled around, not giving his partner a chance to answer. He knew that John would be upset for a few hours, but eventually calm down. They both loved their jobs and each other way too much to let a stupid disagreement break up a team.

Perrone returned to his spot. He gave Rachel a hard stare. Rachel ignored him and watched as Reiser repositioned himself behind her chair. She looked up behind her and gave him a shy smile.

“
Sorry about that Ms. Abbott. Just a little departmental business that needed to be taken care of.”

Rachel took her time in acknowledging Perrone’s remark. She meekly nodded her head as if she bought into his big, fat lie.

“
Now that night you saw Dr. Puhlman, how did you get there?”

“
I drove … in my car,” she added as if necessary. She wondered why she had been so forthcoming with additional details. It was because of Perrone – he was making it seem necessary. As if she needed to keep padding her story. All so subtly accomplished by doing nothing more than holding his head to the side and waiting. It was a technique that she was sure he had used before, but it wouldn’t work today. She wouldn’t fall victim to it again. No more stringing words together that she didn’t want to say. No free, talkative offerings for Perrone. He’d pay for what he got. Rachel would make sure he paid.

There was a long silence before Perrone realized she wasn’t filling in the dead air with noise. Noise that might give him the information that he was sure she had – and was withholding. Maybe a little something about an accomplice. Maybe a boyfriend – someone who doted on her like that Inwood – someone who helped her slaughter that woman.

“
Where did you park?”

“
In the parking lot,” she lied.

“
And were there any other cars there?”

“
Just one – Dr. Puhlman’s.”

“
And you knew it was her vehicle because …?”

“
Because I had been going to Sara … Dr. Puhlman for years and was familiar with it.”

“
But there have to be other white SUV’s in Fairfield. How did you know it was hers?”

“
Because …” Rachel started and then stopped just as quickly. Damn! She almost said because it had a Florida license plate. She didn’t want to offer that information. It would mean she was observant and Rachel didn’t want to give off that kind of vibe. She steadied herself and tried again.

“
Because I was assuming. It looked like her car, it was in the parking lot, I saw a light on inside, and I assumed it was hers.”

“
I see,” Perrone drawled. He hooked a foot on one knee and leaned his hands on the crossed leg. “Why the pause? Were you going to say something else? Did you think about it and change your mind? What was it that you didn’t want us to hear?”

He was good. Rachel had to hand it to him.

“
No, I didn’t change my mind. I paused because I felt stupid about saying I assumed it was her car. I don’t know why I should feel foolish about doing that, but I do. Perhaps it’s because you seem to be making such a big deal out of it.”

He didn’t take his eyes off of her. He was trying his best to elicit more. Rachel sat in stony silence looking down at her hands.

“
Okay, I can understand that.”

He was being sympathetic. Rachel guessed it was time to put on the good cop act.

“
You saw her car, and you saw she was working late. Then what did you do? Ring the bell? Knock on the door? Call her on your cell phone?”

“
I told you, I knocked on the door.”

“
And she heard you? All the way in her office?”

“
Evidently.”

There was another long pause. Perrone breathed in and out heavily. He was doing his best to irritate her. Rachel relived the evening. If she had left Velvet in his cage, she would have removed herself from the equation of even being involved in Puhlman’s murder. She knew there was no DNA evidence. Creatures such as herself and Peter didn’t shed skin, hair, or secrete oils the way humans did. Even if something had been left, it would not have been definable – at least not by modern science.

It didn’t matter. There was nothing that could be done about it now. And there was no way in hell Rachel would have left Velvet in that place. Rachel crossed her legs at her ankles and waited. The ordeal wouldn’t last much longer and then she would never have to go through this again.

“
Are you being sarcastic, Ms. Abbott?”

Bad cop it was. Weren’t two police officers needed for this game? Rachel forgot that one was on her side and not participating. Made it tough on Perrone switching hats from black to white.

“
No, I’m attempting to answer questions that were already asked and answered,” countered Rachel.

“
So you remember what I asked you, but don’t remember my name?” prodded Perrone using his verbal stun gun. It was something he excelled at – remembering what was said and using it against the suspect. Suspect? So what if he admitted that to himself. Besides what else would account for Rachel being so … so cheeky. It was a word they used at Scotland Yard. He had worked with them one summer. He’d been handpicked to go to England and learn their techniques in homicide investigations. He had and also had acquired a few words to be included in his vocabulary.

Rachel rolled her eyes.

“
Should I get an attorney?”

“
Do you need one?”

She stood – ready to leave.

“
Please, I’m sorry, Ms. Abbott. If you’ll indulge me a few more questions, we’ll both be on our way. Okay?”

He smiled pleasantly and stretched an open-palmed hand towards the vacant chair.

“
Fine,” Rachel said sitting down yet again and staring into Perrone’s eyes.

“
So where were we? Ah, Dr. Puhlman’s office. You picked up your cat …”

“
Velvet.”

“
Yes, Velvet. I assume you brought a carrier with you?”

“
You know I didn’t. I told you that Dr. Puhlman lent me one.”

“
Now that’s strange. How did you expect to get the cat home without a carrier?”

“
I thought it was in my trunk. I didn’t think to check.”

“
I see and where was this carrier?”

“
In her office.”

“
So you went into her office?”

“
No, I did not go into her office. I was in the hall with Velvet the whole time.”

Perrone flipped his notepad and raised his eyebrows. He scratched at the stubble on his chin.

“
It seems to checkout. The carrier was missing. Did you return it?”

“
No, no, I didn’t. Not yet.”

“
Why not? It’s not yours is it?”

“
I don’t know! Because I didn’t! It hardly seemed important next to Dr. Puhlman being dead and all!”

“
Tony! Don’t we have to be across town?”

Perrone looked up at his partner, “We’ve got time. And I just have a few more questions about this.” Perrone said reaching into his pocket. Rachel watched him digging around wondering what he was looking for. A receipt? A bill? Spare change? She grew restive and recrossed her legs this time letting her skirt ride up as far as it wanted to go. She hoped Reiser enjoyed the view.

Now it was Perrone that smiled. He’d noticed the nervous gesture. He hoped he’d get an even better reaction once he pulled out the evidence. He saw Rachel’s eyes trained on his hand for between his two fingers he held a nail. One old, rusty, copper nail that he now held up in front of Rachel. Was she smirking? Perrone didn’t like being laughed at. It didn’t matter. She needed to explain what it was – even if it meant doing it through a gale of laughter. He’d make sure there was an explanation.

“
This was found on your floor – downstairs. Right near that crate you opened. It doesn’t seem to match any used on any shipment. Why is that Ms. Abbott?”

Rachel bent her head down trying her best to remove the wide grin plastered across her face. It was too funny. They had looked all over for the nail. She wanted to say, “
So that’s where it went
,” but instead answered in a manner this moron could understand.

“
Detective Perrone, I have no idea what that is or how it got on the floor in my office.”

“
No idea? An old copper nail? This is a museum, but I didn’t know you were interested in ancient carpentry materials?”

“
You know, you are just too smart for me. So smart that I’m sure you realize we receive hundreds of shipments. So smart that you know the downstairs is basically one open area pointing to the possibility that one errant, unaccounted for nail could easily have been kicked, swept, or moved from the exhibitor’s area. They are in the business of carpentry and most likely have seen nails just like that in one or more of past collections.”

“
Well, they say they haven’t and the floor is swept every night. Nonetheless it was found underneath that huge crate. What was in there again?”

Rachel had had enough. She wasn’t about to be nailed for this one – not that it mattered. One nail more or less can keep a coffin shut.

“
I’m sure you’ve already found that one out, detective. And I truly doubt that’s what was said. No one is redundant enough to remember every single nail they pull out.”

He smiled and shut his notebook closed.

“
I expect you’re right.”

“
And then, of course, you’re leaving out the possibility it was dropped by one of the movers. You do remember that we had a shipment and several movers milling about in that same area, don’t you? I mean, this is your case, isn’t it? You really should try to keep everything that went on straight or do you delight in making mountains out of copper nails?”

Perrone didn’t like being challenged, but he’d let it slide. He was getting to her and so he was satisfied. He’d leave things here – until he had more pegs in place.

“
That’s all for now, Ms. Abbott. We appreciate your cooperation and would like you to arrange to come to the station so we can take a formal statement. Just procedure you know. Making sure we’ve got down everything you said correctly.”