Free A Knight at the Opera by Kenneth L. Levinson

anything without
talking to me first."
    "Sorry. Did I screw up?"
    "No. If you'd refused, they'd have just subpoenaed them. They probably want to
know everywhere he went on Saturday, especially the time period just before he went to
the opera. And whether, for example, he bought someone dinner."
    "That woman?"
    "Exactly."
    "You know, I think I'll go home and take a good look at those credit card bills."
She seemed to want to say something more, but was hesitating.
    "What?" I said, with an encouraging look.
    "I know a little about your reputation as more than just a run of the mill lawyer.
Do you think you could do anything to help find out who she was?"
    I thought it over. "Generally, no, but only because the police are already trying to
do that. They have better resources and a head start. But I do have a few thoughts that
might lead to something useful. I can follow up on them, if you'd like."
    "Do it," she said, without bothering to ask what it was.
    We finished our meal and I escorted her to the parking lot. She pulled a key ring
out of her purse and pressed the button to unlock the Lexus. Before reaching to open the
door, she leaned over and hugged me.
    "Thank you for helping me, Adam. I'm really struggling right now. Without Karl,
I'm just lost. And, frankly, a little bit afraid."
    "You'll get through this," I assured her.
    "I hope so." Fighting back tears, she said, "I really hope so."
    I got into my Audi and we headed off in opposite directions.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Nothing out of the ordinary was going on when I reached the McGaa Building.
Diana was still at lunch, so I used my key to get inside. I headed back to my office to follow
up on the idea that had occurred to me at lunch with Joyce.
    I had no trouble getting in touch with Brandt Johnson at Semper Security.
According to the company's website, they specialized in providing services for all sorts of
public and private events. Based upon the reviews I found online, they seemed to be a solid
company with a good reputation. When I called the number, the woman who answered put
me right through.
    He greeted me with, "Johnson. May I help you?"
    "Mr. Johnson, This is Adam Larsen. We met on Saturday at the opera."
    "I remember. I don't know how you did it, but the Clarion sure had some
good things to say about you. We'd kill for that sort of publicity. Speaking figuratively, of
course."
    "Of course," I said good-naturedly. "They were just filling space."
    "If you say so. What can I do for you?"
    "This may be sensitive, but I'm hoping to get some information from you. I've
been retained by Joyce Markowsky. Her husband was the man who went off that
balcony."
    I could almost hear him snap to attention. "Oh? Is she thinking of filing a civil
suit?"
    "Not to my knowledge. We're trying to identify the woman who accompanied
Mr. Markowsky that night. There are reasons we'd like to talk to her."
    He chuckled into the phone. "I can imagine. So would the police. But, so far, no
luck."
    "I'm surprised. I thought they could just enter a few keystrokes into their
computers and, voilà! her name would appear."
    "You've been watching too much TV, Mr. Larsen. Things don't work that way in
the real world."
    "I guess you're right," I said, trying to sound dejected. "I don't suppose she paid
for the tickets or anything like that?"
    "Nope. Both tickets were bought at the same time, but the buyer paid cash."
    "Doesn't the box office keep records of who buys the seats?"
    "Sure, especially if it's a credit card purchase. Even with cash, they ask for a
name and an email address, for marketing purposes."
    "And?"
    He hesitated, then said, "Oh, hell, I don't suppose it would hurt anything to tell
you this much. Whoever bought the tickets used a phony name and address. It's odd,
though. If someone was sneaking around with a woman who wasn't his wife, you wouldn't
expect him to bring her to the opera. Would you?"
    "No, I wouldn't. But I'm not the sneaking around type. That's too bad. I was
hoping I could