Free Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler Page A

ma’am?”

    “Not me, our housekeeper. I’ll get her. Excuse me a moment.”

    Spencer experienced a moment of pity for the housekeeper. Kay Noble didn’t look like the type of woman who tolerated mistakes.

    Moments later, she returned with the woman, who looked upset. “Tell the officers what you told me, Valerie.”

    The housekeeper—sixtyish with iron-gray hair swept up into a flattering French twist—clasped her hands in front of her. “The woman flashed a badge…or what I thought was a badge. She asked to speak with Mr. Noble.”

    “You didn’t take a good look at her identification?”

    “No. I—” The woman cut her eyes toward her employer. “She looked like the police and sounded like…” Her words trailed off; she cleared her throat. “I’m very sorry this happened. I promise it won’t again.”

    Before Kay Noble could comment, Spencer stepped in. “Let me assure you, I don’t believe any harm’s been done. She was a friend of the deceased and is also an ex-cop. Not NOPD.”

    “It’s no wonder you were fooled,” Tony added, “she’s got the whole cop schtick down pat.”

    The housekeeper looked relieved; Kay Noble furious. Leonardo surprised them all by laughing loudly.

    “I hardly find this funny, Leo,” Kay snapped.

    “Of course it is, love,” he said. “It’s all funny.”

    Color flooded her face. “But she could have been anybody. What if Alice—”

    “Nothing happened. Like the officer said, no harm done.” He gave her a quick hug, then turned to Spencer. “So, Detectives, how can I help you?”

    A half hour later, Spencer and Tony thanked Leonardo Noble and headed for their car. The inventor had answered all their questions. He hadn’t known Cassie Finch. Had never been to either UNO or Café Noir. Nor did he know, or was he in contact with, any local White Rabbit players. He explained that he and a friend had invented the game, that they’d never published it and that his co-inventor was dead.

    The two detectives didn’t speak until they had settled inside, safety belts fastened, motor idling. “What do you think?” Spencer asked.

    “Babe one, Slick zero.”

    “Kiss my ass, Pasta Man.”

    Tony laughed. “I’ll pass. Frankly, I’m not into that.”

    “I was talking about Noble, by the way. What did you think?”

    “He’s a little different. And that thing about working with his ex-wife. No way I could work with mine.”

    “You and Betty have been married forever.”

    “Yeah, but if we weren’t, she’d drive me crazy.”

    “You think he’s on the up-and-up?”

    “Struck me that way, but hard to tell without the element of surprise.”

    “Killian,” Spencer muttered. “She’s in my way.”

    “What’re you going to do about it, hotshot?”

    Spencer narrowed his eyes. “Café Noir is just up the street. Let’s see if the meddling Ms. Killian is there.”

CHAPTER
13

    Thursday, March 3, 2005
4:40 p.m.

    S tacy looked up to see Detectives Malone and Sciame heading across the coffeehouse toward her. Malone looked really pissed.

    He had found out about her visit with Leonardo Noble.

    Sorry, fellas. Free country.

    “Hello, Detectives,” she said as they neared her table. “Coffee break? Or social call?”

    “Impersonating a police officer is a crime, Ms. Killian,” Spencer began.

    “I know that.” She smiled sweetly and shut her laptop. “And what does that have to do with me?”

    “Don’t bullshit me. We talked to Noble.”

    “Leonardo Noble?”

    “Of course, Leonardo Noble. Creator of the game White Rabbit and considered by fans to be the Supreme White Rabbit.”

    “Glad to see you’ve been paying attention.”

    Behind Spencer, Tony cleared his throat. She saw he struggled not to laugh. She decided she liked Tony Sciame. A sense of humor was a good thing in the job.

    “Still,” she continued, “I don’t understand what this has to do with me?”

    “You told him you were a NOPD