The Hammett Hex (14 page)

When I hung up, Gram said, “Jordan. I'm only getting half of this. What is that about?”

“The cop I talked to in the car outside. The dispatcher couldn't hide her surprise that there was anyone outside. She wouldn't be allowed to tell me that and she tried to cover, but it seemed obvious to me. Something fishy is going on with that guy.”

No one sees past a uniform.

—The Kelly Rules

“T
HAT'S JUST CRAZY.”

I thought hard. “He was in an unmarked car. That happens. He had on a uniform, but you know what? He didn't look like a cop. He was flabby and uninterested.”

The sirens were getting closer. A good thing, assuming that they belonged to real police officers, something that wasn't one hundred percent certain.

We heard a racket at the front door and the sound of “Police!”

Gram handed me her cane with the metal bird's head. I went downstairs armed. As they say, “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”

Officer Martinez was back with her partner, a pale Scandinavian type called Nordstrom. I did mention the “officer” who'd been parked outside supposedly to watch the house but who did nothing and who, the dispatcher had let slip, might not have been assigned. They exchanged glances but neither one of them offered an opinion about what that had been about.

“Where's the door?” he said.

“Follow me,” I said.

“I'll go first,” he said. “My partner will keep an eye here.”

“Maybe Officer Martinez can guard the elderly lady on the second floor,” I said. “She's pretty feisty. Be careful.”

Martinez chuckled as she climbed the stairs.

In the kitchen Nordstrom took note of the broken glass and heard my description of the earlier events. He got on his radio.

He stepped outside and shone his flashlight around.

“What did he look like?”

“I didn't see the guy who broke in.”

He stepped back in and pointed upstairs. “Did she?”

“I don't think so. I saw this disaster and Mrs. Huddy heard the sound of someone breaking into the house. Lucky I came back in when I did. This was the second time there's been a home invasion here in a few hours, as Officer Martinez may have mentioned.”

“She did.”

“Was there or was there not a police officer stationed outside the house?”

He shrugged and stepped outside again.

I said, “Well, I think you need a . . . search team.” I wasn't sure if that was a phrase used. He didn't respond but made his way around the back garden, talking into his radio. I headed back upstairs. At least I could be of some use to Gram.

She was back in bed in the front room. Asta was sitting on the end of that bed. She jumped up and wagged her stumpy little tail when I entered the room. Here at least I was appreciated.

Officer Martinez had just finished taking the information. Gram seemed to like her and so did Asta.

“So, no one saw anything at all?” she said.

I said, “Hardly that. I saw broken glass all over the kitchen floor, and Mrs. Huddy heard the intruder break the glass and start up the back stairs. And as you know perfectly well, we had been subjected to a violent break-in while she was in bed earlier today, just a few hours ago. Broken glass, blood, the works.”

She glanced around and nodded.

I bit my tongue before I went on about how dangerous it could have been. How we could have been badly injured or killed.

Gram said, “But we're all okay.”

“Right.”

“We fought them off. We acted decisively. That's why I've never been better. I hate feeling old and useless.”

So this was definitely weird. It wasn't that I wanted her to feel afraid and have some traumatized reaction; it's just that it
had
been very dangerous and gleefulness didn't seem like the right response. Whatever. I decided it was better for her mental health. My own state of mind was a bit more wobbly.

What the bleep was going on?

There was so much to consider, including things that I hadn't taken so seriously before the home invasion: Being pushed from the cable car. And the Prius that had almost knocked Smiley and me over on our way home from dinner the other night might not have been just a random drunk driver. Speaking of dinner, there was also the bug under the table at Magari. Those all had to be connected.

Who would want to bug our conversation? Why? Did Gram have a secret that was putting all of us in danger? What could it possibly be?

I had not the slightest idea where that danger was coming from. But I couldn't believe it was some old photo album.

I sat on the end of the bed and Asta climbed onto my lap. I missed Walter at that moment more than ever, but this shy
little creature had already wormed her way into my heart. Apparently it was mutual. I sure felt loved.

Officer Martinez said, “Well, if you think of anything else, let us know.”

I said, “You're not leaving. You can't leave us alone in this house with the back door useless.”

She said, “You'll be talking to detectives soon. Another team of evidence techs has just arrived too. Once they're finished, you can get the door fixed. I'll see if my colleague needs help in the search.” Her tone implied that Nordstrom would need help. “Sorry I got called away before. I feel bad. We won't leave you until the door is settled. Like I said, if you think of anything else. This time I'll give you my card with my cell and my e-mail so you can get in touch if anything new happens.”

Oh sure. Like you could stop an attack with a card.

Follow the money.

—The Kelly Rules

A
FTER OFFICER MARTINEZ
went off to investigate, I said to Gram, “I don't think you should stay here. It's obviously not safe.”

“Don't be silly.”

“No, really. You'll be safer with us. We'll take you to our hotel. We have a suite. Tons of room and Asta can come too. If they let Zoya out of the hospital, does she have anywhere to go?”

“Zoya? No. I told you she's alone in the world. Tragic life.”

“Right. Well, there will be room for her too.” There were two queen-size beds in Tyler's room and a king-size bed in mine, plus the pull-out sofa in the living room area. We could house a convention in that suite.

“Don't be silly. What about my birds? We'll all be more relaxed here.”

Relaxed? After the day we'd had? Of course, we'd have no choice but to stay in the house with her. We could hardly leave her alone with her birds unless we hired a security company. Although that was starting to seem like a good idea even if we did stay.

I said, “Well, we'll stay too, of course. But I think we need to improve our defenses.”

Tyler would be a good defense. What was taking so long? As he wasn't answering his cell phone, I needed to do something. I hurried downstairs and asked Officer Martinez for the names of reputable alarm companies.

“We're not really allowed to give out—”

“Of course,” I said, barely managing not to roll my eyes. “I should have realized. Do you have an alarm system?” She looked like the type who had everything together.

“Yes.”

“What kind?”

With the name of her alarm company at hand, I headed back upstairs and I took the liberty of calling to have a system installed. Despite the time of night, I did reach a human being. The alarm company said they would try to get an emergency installation for us first thing in the morning. Fingers crossed.

Next I asked Gram if she had a handyman and was relieved to learn that she did.

“Now why didn't I think of that?” she said. “You must call Gus and the boys.”

I called and explained about the back door and the police. Gus earned my gratitude by saying, “I'm coming now. I'll keep an eye on things for Mrs. Jean. What kinda crazy world is this?”

I thanked him profusely. I felt a little bit better about this whole crazy situation thanks to Officer Martinez and Gus. But where was Smiley?

Gram patted her hair. “That Gus,” she murmured, “he's such a flirt.”

“How about a nice cup of hot chocolate before bed? Or herbal tea?” I said.

She chose the herbal tea.

I had one too. Who knew what else was in store that night?

Gram said, “With Gus on the job, we can all relax. Smart girl, you thinking of calling him.”

“Thank you, but really you gave me his name and I just—”

“Smart girl,” she repeated.

I was happy to help her out. She didn't seem to need all that much taking care of. I headed downstairs with Asta at my heels. Apparently we were now bonded.

A banging at the front door brought Officer Martinez to the front of the house. She looked down at the wizened little man in the overalls in front of her. The badge sewn on his shirt pocket said, “GUS.”

“I'm Gus,” he boomed at her. How could such a small man have such a big boom? “You Jordan? How is—”

She arched one perfectly groomed eyebrow. “I'm Officer Martinez.”

“
I'm
Jordan,” I said, hurrying up behind. “She's pretty good, considering. Thanks for coming, Gus. I know she really appreciates it. I'm not sure when the police are going to be finished with the crime scene. I think they're treating it seriously because of the violent home invasion.”

Martinez gave me a dismissive look. “We take all crime seriously.”

“No question.”

“Who's gonna do such a crazy thing to a nice old lady like Mrs. Jean? Guess I better see the damage,” Gus said.

“Won't be long before you can have access,” the officer said.

I was glad Gram hadn't heard him call her a nice old lady. It must have been a one-sided flirtation. I said, “It's the garden door in the kitchen. The glass was broken and it looks like it was kicked off the hinges.”

Gus said, “Hoh boy,” and shook his small bald head. As he was shaking, a pair of crime scene techs headed out. “All yours now,” one of them said.

I turned to Martinez. “That was pretty fast.”

She said, “They made it a priority because of the age of the victim. And the fact there was an earlier attack with an injury too.”

“Oh. I'm glad they could do that.” I wondered if some of that priority was because Tyler was also a police officer.

Gus said, “I know that door. I installed it. Thought it was good enough. I'll get a better one, that no tank could get through.”

“I'll go with you. Mrs. Huddy wants me to bring her an herbal tea.”

Gus laughed. “Oh yeah, usually gotta have her G and T, that one.”

And off we went. Gus took some measurements and shook his wizened head. “Gonna be a lot of work. I think we'll just have to board it up tonight and get a new door tomorrow. And a lock. We need it kick-proof. Crazy crazy.”

“Do you have to go and get some plywood?” I wasn't happy about being alone here. What if those men were right outside watching until the police left?

“Donchu worry nothin'. My boys will get it. Gus ain't goin nowhere.”

That was remarkably reassuring considering he was less than five feet tall and sixty if he was a day. Something told me that Gus had been able to look after himself and others all his life. He bellowed something into his phone before turning to me and grinning. The conversation was all Greek to me.

I waited for the kettle to boil, while Gus paced and muttered. “Who would do this crazy thing?” he said to me. I had the feeling that he might have been talking about payback in his conversation with himself. Maybe the snapping of arms and legs, but that might have been just an impression.

“I stay here. You don worry, Jordan,” he said. “My boys is coming soon.”

I made my way back to the front stairs and spoke once again to Officer Martinez. “Thank you.”

She said, “Someone will be watching the house.”

“That was what we thought before. I saw the guy and—”

She looked me in the eye. “You didn't hear it from me, but it looks like you were right. No one was assigned here to look at this house. No car. No officer. Nothing and no one.”

“But I saw him.”

“Maybe. I don't know what's going on. You were under a lot of stress. Lot of traumatic events.”

“But not crazy out of my mind. I wasn't traumatized or injured. I'm pretty tough.” Of course, I was wearing a black and white polka dot baby doll dress in not so tough chiffon. “The neighbor across the street was there. She clearly saw that cop too. He was in uniform.”

“Huh. It doesn't jive with what I've been told. We need to talk to her anyway about the two guys who broke in. She seems to be out a lot.”

“Right. She's always trotting around with her baby, but she'll be back soon. She comes and goes. My point is if he wasn't a cop officially doing a lousy job guarding this house, then he must have been part of the whole thing. Maybe he was disguised as a cop and keeping an eye out for the guy who kicked the door in. Maybe he was the getaway car.”

She just had to say “huh” again. “More likely he wanted to get in on the action and prevent more trouble.”

I said, “But he didn't prevent anything. Someone kicked in the door! Broke the window!”

“And no one hurt. Nothing taken. You even got the dog back.”

“I suppose, but—”

She leaned in and lowered her voice. “I'm telling you that officer was probably just some lazy old hack ten days from retirement, looking to park and relax a bit. Trust me, some of them get like that. I say get out and give some new blood a chance.”

I almost said “huh” myself.

She said, “I'll see what else I can find out, who it might have been to put your mind at ease. Meantime, I'm staying around until the detectives show up. For all our sakes, I hope it's before tomorrow.”

I was starting to like Officer Martinez. Although her partner seemed to have vanished, I was glad she'd be staying. She was all business, a compact figure, no more than five four. Now that I had time to actually notice her, I liked her sleek black hair in the businesslike bun, glowing skin and those beautifully sculpted eyebrows. She was one tough cookie and yet very appealing.

Her laugh was low and pleasant. “Don't worry about it. You take the Queen Bee her tea and I'll keep an eye on things and that includes this Gus guy.”

Just as I was pondering this second surprising side of Officer Martinez, Gus bombed through the front door, leading a charge of three large, burly men who looked just like Gus except about sixty percent bigger. Each of the big guys was carrying a sheet of plywood, which looked to be about three-quarter-inch thick. I knew from the last time that Uncle Mick's place was shot up by the cops that a sheet of three-quarter-inch plywood weighs about seventy-five pounds. None of them was even breathing heavily. In fact, they all gave the impression that bullets would bounce off them. All three gave Officer Martinez the eye. Apparently, I was not their type. Asta expressed her outrage by hiding under the hall console table and yapping insults.

As they marched by, I swear Officer Martinez rolled her eyes, but she also had a vivid red spot on each cheek.

Gus called out, “Gonna be completely safe in ten minutes and then good as new with a special door tomorrow. You tell Mrs. Jean.”

“I will.” I ascended the stairs thinking Gram's kitchen would be “good as new” if new meant the back of your house
was boarded up with three sheets of three-quarter-inch plywood.

“Gus is here,” I said, delivering the tea. I thought it might have gotten cool. I was going to have to learn to speed up.

She reached for the cup with a gleam in her eye and said, “Gus is the best.”

“It looks like his three sons are here too.”

She said, “You mean three of his sons.”

“Oh. How many does he have?”

She took a first sip. “No idea. An endless source. Small but mighty, our Gus.”

I said, “They're putting up plywood in the back.”

“I think I hear that. Whatever you can say about Gus's boys, they're not shy and quiet.”

“Well, it should be safe. And Officer Martinez is waiting for the detectives to get here and maybe stay longer. We should be fine until Tyler gets home.”

I sat down on the chair by the bed. Asta leapt onto the bed, managed to dodge Gram and climbed onto my lap. She was just like Walter only so much lighter. Walter was a little pudge pot. Asta was a bit too skinny.

“She likes you,” Gram said. “That's good.”

And she doesn't like you that much
, I thought.
Why is that, I wonder?

“I'm sorry about your house,” I said. “It's so beautiful and now all this damage.”

She shrugged. “It's only stuff, my dear. You realize that if you've lost two husbands, although that does make me sound remarkably absentminded.”

I laughed in spite of myself.

Gram continued, “All kidding aside, at least the birds are safe. And Zoya wasn't killed.”

“And Asta's all right.”

“What? Oh yes. Right, of course. Poor Asta, quite a bad day for her.”

Asta managed a peevish little yip.

“Ridiculous creatures, pugs,” Gram said.

“But they're . . .” I paused. I wanted to say beautiful, but of course they weren't beautiful. “Adorable.”

“Mmm.”

“And we'll fix it all up too,” I said. “Tyler's brilliant at cleanup and renos. It's a hobby for him. He's renovating his new house.”

“Is he? Well, someday this will all be yours.” She gave a grand gesture around the huge bedroom, indicating the elaborate crown molding where the walls met the ceiling, the turret window and the deep bay window with its wooden window seat, and panels of stained glass on the top. I followed her hand, taking in the rich Persian carpet and the oil paintings on the walls.

“What? You mean it will all be Tyler's.”

“Aren't you part of the package, pet? You seem perfect for each other.”

I smiled. How could she know that? She hadn't seen him since he was a child and she knew nothing at all about me.

Perhaps she read my mind. “Well, you seem to be. Why don't you tell me about yourself?”

I hesitated because, of course, much of me is not public knowledge and I'd like it to stay that way. Still, I could leave out large chunks. She was an old lady and she'd had a rough day. No need to worry.

“I'm from Harrison Falls, New York, which is where I first met Tyler. He was on the police force and I had just started working for Vera Van Alst, a wealthy book collector.”