Free Chasing Suspect Three by Rod Hoisington Page B

prissy lips, and Mel had...well, she wondered
what it would be like if they were touching her. She did find him
attractive and liked being around him, however she wasn’t looking
beyond her relationship with Chip. She had never encouragd Mel, yet
it was nice for her to think he was waiting around.
    “Congratulations to you and Martin on your
success with that four million dollar judgment in the Banks versus
Olin wrongful death suit. How much do you think you’ll eventually
recover?”
    “We couldn’t locate any Abby Olin assets
other than the West Palm Beach condo she inherited from her father.
We put it up for sale. If we can find a buyer, it might go for a
couple million. The widow is still struggling with her kids up in
Delaware trying to get by. She can’t believe she’s going to be a
millionaire.”
    “And you two will do rather well, when the
judgment is satisfied. No more than you deserve. I know you think I
helped you somehow with Judge Allen’s decision, but I didn’t
interfere. You won fair and square.”
    “I’m certain your influence was quite subtle.
Thank you, Mel. What’s up with Moran? He saw me and didn’t scream
or anything.”
    “He won’t bother you.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because you bother back. He knows something
would come right back at him.”
    “Just another man underestimating a
woman.”
    “You make him nervous. He’s preoccupied with
politics and finally has his chance to run for the U.S. House. All
thanks to the publicity and the credit you let him take from the
big Bichadel Corporation affair. Now he’s afraid you’re going to
change your mind and expose him by telling everyone the emperor has
no clothes.”
    “Indeed, the emperor has no clothes. Moran
couldn’t get a conviction on Jack the Ripper if he confessed. I’ve
no reason to rattle his cage at the moment. Maybe I’ll think of
something.”
    “You understand you’re on your own with this
John Larena murder,” Shapiro said. “I’m sorry we’re facing each
other. I’m not on your side in this. I represent the citizens of
the state, and I’m going to be rough on you and your client.” He
leaned back and smiled. “Even though you secretly adore me, you may
not like me so much when this is over.”
    She turned in the chair as she noticed his
attention was focused behind her. Sergeant Eddy Jaworski was
standing in the doorway holding up some papers. He was the lead
detective on the Larena murder case. She supposed he and the ASA
had plenty to discuss. Shapiro motioned him in.
    “You’re busy, I’ll come back. Oh, it’s
Sandy.” Jaworski greeted her warmly, “I didn’t recognize you from
the back with the pony tail. You look different. Usually your hair
is swished around all over the place.”
    “I’m letting it grow out.”
    “I’m doing that too.”
    “No, you just need a haircut,” Shapiro
said.
    “Okay, enough on the hair,” she said.
    “We have to catch up, Sandy. Too bad you
never drink with cops.”
    “I’ll have a beer with you anytime, Eddy.”
Having a beer with Eddy meant just having a beer, nothing more. He
was about as romantic as a pair of handcuffs, and that was fine
with her. She assumed he was happily married; she’d never gotten
passed the superficial level with him. Maybe she should. He seemed
a very real person and had always been straight with her. They had
a lot of easy-going professional contact in the past; however, this
would be the first time they took sides against each other.
    “Glad you came over, Sandy,” Shapiro began.
“We’ve something for you. Obviously, we think your client plugged
her husband. Although it’s not legally necessary for us to provide
a motive, we always throw in a couple. The jurors so dearly love
it.”
    Never too early to start defending her
client, she thought. “I’d be surprised if you find a solid motive
for Margo killing him. The separation was quite amicable. In fact,
I don’t believe this is a case of domestic violence at