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“What was that all about?” asked Gavin as he watched the highly pregnant woman and the muscular cop get into the police pickup parked across the street. There were also two cats with them, which puzzled him a great deal. Did the police use cats these days?

“Oh, something about a car that was vandalized last night. They wanted to know if I saw anything or if I had a camera pointed at the street. Unfortunately I didn’t see anything, did I?”

“Damn vandals,” Gavin muttered. “Haven’t they got anything better to do than to destroy other people’s property?”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” said his dad. “So where were you this morning?”

“At the shelter,” said Gavin with a shrug.

“Don’t you think you’re spending way too much time at that place?”

“No, Dad, I don’t,” said Gavin, not feeling in the mood to take up this discussion again.

“If they really want you to help out all the time, they should pay you. You shouldn’t be expected to work for free.”

“We talked about this, Dad. They rely on volunteers like me. They haven’t got the funds to pay people.”

“Sounds like a scam to me,” his dad grumbled. “I need you here at the store, Gavin. At least three customers walked back out this morning because I was busy. That’s a lot of business we’re losing just because you decide to spend all your time over at the shelter.”

“So? Hire a salesperson. I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do mind. Your place is here. It isn’t called Blemish& Sons for nothing. Or don’t you want to take over the store one day?”

He considered telling his dad exactly what he could do with his store, but since that didn’t seem like a good idea, and he didn’t want to hurt his old man, he shrugged. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“All right. You can start by stocking those boxes over there. It’s been so busy I haven’t had time to put them away.”

“Fine,” he said. If there was one thing he hated even more than helping indecisive clients try on dozens of shoes, it was cleaning up the mess they left. But since this was apparently his life now, he slouched over to the minor shoebox pyramid and got started.

Chapter 16

We were back at the office—Chase’s office, that is. One aspect of being a police officer that is often underestimated is the paperwork that comes with the job, and also the number of reports and information that needs to be gone through. The small and dedicated group of officers that assist Chase had produced a small pile of reports that he was now diligently going through one by one. Odelia, meanwhile, took this opportunity to rest in the armchair that was part of Chase’s office furniture. She had closed her eyes and was practicing her breathing exercises, trying to relax. Her hands were on her belly and she looked hot and bothered, her cheeks flushed and her brow beaded with moisture.

“Are you all right?” I asked, but she waved my question away with an irritated gesture.

“I guess she is,” said Dooley, who had watched the scene with rising concern.

“We should probably give her some space,” I whispered to my friend.

“Being pregnant is not a lot of fun,” Dooley whispered back.

Chase suddenly whistled through his teeth.“Listen to this,” he said. “Dewey Toneu’s financial records. His business isn’t doing so well. In fact if it weren’t for a big financial injection made by Marsella last year, he might even be on the verge of going bust.”

“Marsella invested in Dewey’s business?”

“To the tune of a hundred thousand dollars.”

“So if the wedding should be called off for some reason…”

“Dewey would have to pay back the money. Which I don’t think he can.”

“Which would be the end of Toneu Motors.” Odelia had opened her eyes. “We better have another chat with Dewey. And can we take a look at his phone?”

“You mean check if he’s got the app installed?”

“And when he last contacted either Dotty or Calista.”

She had closed her eyes again and was fanning herself with a limp hand.

“We can, but if he refuses we’re going to need a warrant to confiscate his phone.” He gave Odelia a look of concern. “Are you all right, babe?”

“I’m fine,” she said, even though she didn’t look fine to me. “So can you ask my uncle if he can arrange the warrant?”

“Honestly I don’t think we have enough on the guy yet.”

“Just ask him. He might disagree. Is it hot in here or is it just me?”

“I’m taking you home,” Chase said, getting up. “You need to rest.”

“I’m fine, I’m telling you. So what’s next?”

Chase sat back down.“Calista’s husband is back from his business trip. We can go talk to him now.”

“I wonder how much he knew about his wife’s business.”

“We’ll find out soon enough.” He directed another anxious look at her. “Are you sure—”

“I’m fine!”

And so she was—maybe.

We soon returned to Calista’s house, where this time the door was opened by a swarthy man with gray hair. He didn’t look very happy to see us, if the scowl on his face was anything to go by. But when he noticed Odelia’s state, he immediately allowed us in and even helped her to a chair and offered her a glass of water.