Читать книгу My Private Detective - Rebecca Winters - Страница 9

GIDEON TOSSED THE FRISBEE one last time, and a gust of wind blew it off course. The green plastic disc sailed over Kevin’s blond head and would have disappeared into the surf if it hadn’t been for Pokey.

“Good dog!” Kevin cried as the frisky beagle leaped in the air to catch it in time.

“Let’s go home.”

“Not yet, Dad!”

“We have to. You promised to get your homework done before I drive you back to your mom’s. She made a special concession, letting you spend this weekend with me because of my birthday.”

“I know. That means I won’t be able to sleep over next Saturday or Sunday.”

“True, but I still get you Friday night. Now you’ve only got one hour left. Beat you to the house!”

His ranch-style home was located two blocks from the ocean with easy access to the beach from a nearby side street.

He took off on a run. When he looked over his shoulder, Kevin wasn’t far behind. Pokey kept up with him. Though the dog stayed at Gideon’s, he adored Kevin and clearly rejoiced in the time they spent together.

Fay refused to have an animal in the house. No amount of pleading on Kevin’s part could change her mind. But like everything else about the situation, he and his son had learned to adapt.

Between Gideon and his housekeeper, Martha, who came in every weekday afternoon for an hour to clean and prepare meals, Pokey’s needs were met and he had the run of the house.

A few minutes later Kevin hauled his math book from his backpack and sat at the family-room table to start his homework. Gideon went in search of the synopses he’d brought home and joined his son. Pokey lay on the floor between them.

Kevin eyed the papers with curiosity. “What are you doing, Dad?”

“Homework. Just like you.”

He laughed. “Come on.”

“It’s true. You’re looking at the new criminology teacher for the district’s adult-education program.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. I have eleven students who signed up for community school.” One of them is probably the most terrific-looking female I’ve ever met in my life. And the most puzzling.

“I didn’t know that.”

“How could you? Daniel Mcfarlane underwent emergency surgery on Friday morning and asked me to take over his class.”

“What happened to him?”

“He has cancer, but I understand the operation took care of the problem. With some chemotherapy, he’ll be fine.”

“That’s good.” His son’s voice trailed off. “Hey, Dad…do your students listen to you and everything?”

Gideon laughed. “So far I haven’t had a problem.”

“Is it fun to teach?”

“As a matter of fact, it is.”

“How long are you going to be their teacher?”

“I’m not sure. Possibly till mid-May.”

“That long?” Kevin cried. “When’s your class?” Any change in Gideon’s routine upset his son if it wasn’t handled carefully.

“Wednesday and Friday nights.”

Kevin’s face fell. “But those are our nights together! Is that the reason you couldn’t come and get me until late on Friday?”

“Yes. But I’ve been thinking about that. How would you like to come to class and watch me teach?” Gideon asked before his son could jump to the wrong conclusion. “You can get your homework done at the same time. We’ll have dinner at the Jolly Roger first, and go for ice cream after.”

“You’d let me come?”

“Of course.”

The tears that were threatening disappeared.

“I realize this changes the way we’ll spend Wednesday and Friday nights for a while. But I couldn’t say no to Daniel when he asked me this favor, could I?”

“No, I guess not. Can I bring Pokey?”

“Do they let you have dogs at school?” Gideon countered.

Kevin let out a deep sigh. “No.”

“I tell you what. On Wednesdays I’ll get off duty early and pick you up at school. We’ll go to the park or the beach and play with Pokey until we have to leave for my class. How does that sound?”

“Okay, but what about Fridays?”

“I can’t get off early on Friday. But since we have the whole weekend together every other week, you can still come with me. We’ll have a late dinner after class on those nights.”

“How come Daniel had to ask you?”

Kevin, Kevin. “I think you already know the answer to that question.”

He lowered his head. “Yeah. He’s a good friend. I just wish Mom would let me live—”

“We’ve been over this ground before, son. And it’s not like we won’t be together. Besides, this will give you a chance to find out what I do for a living.”

“I already know,” the boy said glumly.

Kevin was going through a stage of worrying constantly that Gideon might get killed on the job. It was one of the fears family members harbored when a parent worked in law enforcement. But Gideon had assured his fourteen-year-old that being a detective was safer than being a street cop. Still, anxiety remained.

“Do you want to hear my students’ stories?” Gideon decided a little distraction right now was more important than insisting that Kevin finish his homework. His son could do that back at Fay’s.

“What stories?”

“My students are mystery writers.” Except for one, who had an entirely different motive for attending the class. Heidi Ellis presented a mystery in her own right. One that wanted solving…

“Mystery writers?”

“That’s right. They want to learn how to write what happens at the scene of a crime from a detective’s point of view. I’ll take them through the procedure step by step.”

“That ought to be interesting.”

The light had returned to his son’s eyes. Thank God.

AT ELEVEN ON SUNDAY NIGHT, Heidi finished correcting her students’ homework and reviewing her own and prepared for bed. While she was brushing her teeth, her phone rang.

Hoping against hope, she rinsed her mouth, then dashed into the bedroom to answer it. Caller ID was blocked.

“Hello?” she said anxiously.

“Ms. Ellis? John Cobb here.”

Filled with relief, she sank onto the edge of her bed.

“Thanks for calling me back. I know you’ve been out of town and I hate to bother you at home, but I’m desperate to help Dana. She’s barely hanging on.”

“I got your message earlier today and I’ve already made a call to her doctor and to the judge. We’ll get an order to the prison so the doctor there will give her the medication she needs.”

“Oh, thank you,” Heidi breathed.

“Let me assure you that I’m as eager as you are for some new evidence in this case so I can take it to the district attorney.”

She gripped the phone more tightly. “That’s why I’m calling. I’m going to get that evidence!”

There was a brief silence on his end. “It would have to be compelling. Ron Jenke, the prosecuting attorney, has a formidable reputation for winning cases. What he presented appeared to the jury to be an airtight case. Since you and I know Dana’s not guilty, that means we need a whole new approach to her case.

“Unfortunately the private detective the Turners retained after the trial never came up with anything I could use. He’s given up.”

“I know,” Heidi murmured. “When I visited Dana last Sunday, she told me there was no hope. But I told her she was wrong and promised that the next time she saw me, I’d have something good to report.” Visits to inmates had to be applied for weeks ahead. Even though Heidi knew there’d be Sundays when she couldn’t go, she’d already made application for six months’ worth of Sunday visits.

“Ms. Ellis, I’m sure you’re aware that her case will require the best criminal investigator around. He needs to be someone who’ll look at it in a completely fresh way. Someone who won’t be intimidated by Jenke or persuaded by the evidence that put Dana behind bars in the first place.

“There are investigators like that, but it’s hard to find them, let alone convince them to take a case that’s already been settled.”

Since the class, Gideon Poletti’s image had never left her mind. “I-I’ve found someone who’s a detective’s detective. Given a little more time, I may be able to persuade him to take Dana’s case.”

“Good for you! I’ll work with you any way I can. We’ll pray for a different outcome. Dana’s an innocent woman.”

“She is. I won’t rest until she’s back home. Under the circumstances, my parents and I would like to formally retain you as our attorney to help Dana. We’ll let the Turners know what we’re doing. They’re so deep in despair right now, maybe this will give them some hope.”

“They’re more fortunate than they know to have someone like you on their side.”

“Dana and I grew up next door to each other, Mr. Cobb. I’m an only child and I couldn’t love a sister more than I love her. As for my parents, they love her like a daughter. No matter how long it takes, I’ll fight to get her out of prison.”

“Be assured I’ll do everything in my power to help make that happen. Call me when you’re ready to meet.”

“Thank you very much. Expect a retainer in the mail in the next few days.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now, Ms. Ellis. Good luck. I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Heidi hung up, more convinced than ever that a man with a reputation like Daniel Mcfarlane’s would’ve made sure he sent the best detective in the business to replace him.

If Detective Poletti couldn’t come up with new evidence, no one could.

But Mr. Cobb had hit on one major problem. Her teacher was a human being with a personal life and a career that might make it impossible for him to take on Dana’s case.

As Heidi saw it, she’d have to make him care about her friend. The way to do that was to be certain her synopsis was the masterpiece he’d alluded to.

“DAD, THERE’S MAX!” Kevin started waving.

Gideon turned his head in time to see his closest friend walk through the crowded dining room of the Jolly Roger. Their friendship went back eighteen years or more. Gideon could honestly say he’d never seen Max this happy. Marriage had transformed him. The news that he was going to be a father soon kept a perpetual smile on his face.

“Hey, Kev, how’s it going?” The tall, dark-haired man patted Kevin’s shoulder before sitting down in the booth next to him.

“Great! Where’s Gaby?”

“She had to attend a seminar after work.”

“Heck,” Kevin muttered.

Gideon grinned. “So, lonely old you took us up on our invitation. I guess we’re better than nothing.”

Max grinned back. The guy was crazy in love with his wife, Gideon mused for the thousandth time.

At twenty-two, Gideon had fallen for Fay. He’d thought she’d loved him, too. But the affair she’d had during their engagement, plus the other affair after their marriage, had destroyed that belief.

He’d had several serious relationships with women since his divorce. But something had always prevented him from proposing. It wasn’t only the trust factor. Now that he’d turned thirty-seven, he realized he’d been waiting for his soul mate all along.

Someone who spoke to him, body, mind and soul.

Instantly an image of Heidi Ellis filled his head. She’d been making an appearance there more often than not since last Friday night. Just the prospect of seeing her in a little while practically doubled his pulse rate.

“Did I tell you Gaby saw the doctor last week and we’re having quadruplets?” he teased.

Gideon nodded.

“Dad! Hey, Dad—”

“What is it, son?”

Both Max and Kevin broke into laughter. Gideon looked at the two of them. “What’s wrong?”

Max turned to Kevin. “How long has your dad been like this?”

“Since last Friday.”

“What happened last Friday?”

“Daniel Mcfarlane had to have an operation, so he asked Dad to teach his criminology class at Mesa Junior High. That’s where we’re going after we eat. It’s a bunch of mystery writers who signed up for adult education.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. He read me their stories. Most of them are pretty weird.”

Gideon saw the gleam in Max’s eyes and knew exactly what he was thinking before he spoke.

“Mystery writers, eh? My guess is, most of them are women.”

“Two are men,” Kevin volunteered.

“Interesting.”

“I liked the one about the mummy that was discovered in the basement of this museum in New York. But it smelled, so they unwrapped it and found a corpse. The person had only been dead for about a week and—”

“Kevin, let’s change the subject. The waitress is bringing our orders as we speak.”

While their hamburgers and shakes were being served, Max’s shoulders shook in silent laughter.

“Why didn’t you pick that story, Dad?” Kevin asked after taking a huge bite of his burger. “It’s a lot better than the one about those call girls who poisoned the brownies.”

At this point Max let out a burst of laughter. “I think I’m going to have to come to class with you.”

By now Gideon was chuckling.

“Dad? A call girl’s a prostitute, right?”

“Yeah, Dad…” Max baited him gleefully.

“You’ll learn everything you need to know in class.”

“Chicken,” Max said under his breath.

“I’ll remind you of this moment when your son or daughter starts asking questions one day.”

“I can hardly wait.” Max was no longer joking, and the emotion in his voice said it all. The man was counting the hours until he could hold his own child in his arms. Gideon glanced at his son. Thank God for Kevin.

“So, tell me more about your students.”

“Dad says most of them are older ladies.”

Kevin’s running commentary was getting Gideon into deeper water by the second.

“They’re a happy, enthusiastic group of people.”

“Which one isn’t older?” Max asked dryly before filling his mouth with fries.

“Kevin? Would you mind telling our waitress to bring us some more water?”

“Sure.”

The second he got up, Max said, “Who is she?”

“It’s a moot point if she’s already taken.”

“But you’re interested.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe, hell! Is she married?”

“No.”

“What’s she like?”

“She’s…” Gideon swallowed hard. “A candle flame in the darkness,” he said softly. He didn’t know where those words came from; he wasn’t usually given to poetic statements. But somehow this was exactly what he meant—what he felt.

Max straightened in his chair. “Good Lord.” All amusement had left his expression. “You sound like me when I first met Gabriella. Come on. I want a total description here.”

“Her name is Heidi Ellis. She’s a flaming redhead with blue eyes. Stands about five-two. Fantastic figure. Depending on her emotions, she’s cute, beautiful, adorable, sexy and…”

“And what?”

“I don’t know the rest. She’s a geography teacher, not a writer. In fact, the class is being held in her room. But I know that’s not the reason she was on the verge of tears when she thought I might not let her into Dan’s class. I sensed all kinds of undercur—”

“The waitress said she’d be right over.” Kevin interrupted, resuming his place.

Max looked at him. “Hey, Kev, what are you going to do while your dad’s teaching?”

“Homework,” Gideon answered for him. “He can listen while he works.”

The waitress came over to refresh their water, then left the bill in front of Gideon.

“That sounds pretty good,” Max said as soon as she’d left.

“I guess. But I wish Daniel had asked someone else to teach his class for him,” Kevin muttered.

Invisible messages passed between Max and Gideon.

“Look at it this way, Kev. Besides the fact that he’s helping out a friend, most kids don’t get to see their parents at work. At least you can hear about some of the things your father has to do on the job. You’ll probably learn a lot, even while you’re working on your science and math. I think you’re lucky.”

“I know. Your dad died when you were seven.”

“Both my parents died. I would’ve given anything to have my father around at your age. Just to be with him while he did his work would have meant a lot.”

Kevin nodded. “I’m sorry they died.”

Gideon could always count on Max, who was sensitive to Kevin’s insecurities and knew how to talk to him.

“So am I, but it was all a long time ago.” After draining his water glass, he glanced at his watch, then at Gideon. “I’ll take that.” He reached for the bill, but Gideon was too fast for him and grabbed it away.

“We invited you, remember? We’re glad you could make it, aren’t we, Kevin?”

“Heck, yeah.”

“Give our love to Gaby.”

Max smiled. “Don’t worry.” After getting to his feet, he said, “I’ll see you at the office in the morning. We’ll continue our conversation.”

Gideon nodded to his friend in silent understanding. Concentrating on his milk shake, Kevin waved as Max walked away.

“Ready to go, Kevin?”

“Hold it. I’m almost finished.”

While he gulped down the rest of his shake, Gideon’s thoughts flew to the night ahead, wondering what it would bring. He could hardly wait to find out.

HEIDI DIDN’T WANT Detective Poletti to think she was being forward by arriving for class early, so she waited until the last minute before walking into the room. Everyone else was already seated.

She was disappointed to discover that their teacher was nowhere in sight. Maybe he’d had a work emergency and Mr. Johnson had opened the door for them.

As she took the only seat left, which was next to the woman named Nancy, she noticed a cute blond boy about the age of her eighth-or ninth-graders seated a few rows behind the semicircle of desks. Obviously one of the students had brought his or her son along.

He had materials and books on his desk, but his attention darted around the room as he eyed the displays.

Nancy, who looked thirtyish, turned her head toward Heidi. “Isn’t this a great class?”

“Fascinating.”

“To be honest,” she whispered, “I’m glad the other teacher couldn’t make it. This guy’s gorgeous, don’t you think?”

“He’s very attractive, I agree.”

“We’ve all been wondering if he’s married. Do you happen to know?” she asked as the subject of their conversation suddenly walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

Tonight he was dressed in tan chinos toned with a dark-brown turtleneck and blazer—almost the color of his hair. He flashed everyone the smile Heidi had found so heart-stopping the last time the class had met.

“Good evening. What a punctual crowd! Before we get started, let me introduce my son, Kevin, who’s seated behind you.”

While everyone else turned around, Heidi lowered her head, fighting not to react to that unexpected revelation.

Nancy now had the answer to her question. So did Heidi.

She drew in a deep breath, acknowledging to herself that it was better to know the truth before any more time went by. With a class full of women who were open in their admiration of him, he’d probably brought his son to make the statement that he was unavailable.

“Because of the nature of my work, he can’t go to the office with his dad.” His comment produced chuckles. “We both thought the next best thing would be for him to sit in on this class so he can learn along with you.

“I let him read all your synopses so he’d understand what we did in class last week. For what it’s worth, Lillian, he thought your mummy story was really cool.”

A hand shot up.

“Yes, Jackie?”

“Lillian’s the only one of us published in book-length fiction. Your son has discerning taste.”

The enthusiastic group agreed with her.

Even from the distance separating them, Heidi could see the way the boy’s eyes lit up.

“Did you hear that, Kevin? You picked a story that’ll probably turn out to be another bestseller.”

“With your help, Detective Poletti, I’m planning on it,” Lillian said in obvious delight.

He flashed the class a quick smile. “In that case, let’s get busy. First, I’m curious to find out how well you did your homework. After that, I’ll return your synopses. We’ll follow up with a five-minute break at eight. Then we’ll hear a mystery scenario from Heidi before I give you your assignment for Friday.”

Embarrassed, Heidi forced herself to look anywhere except at the man who held their class in thrall.

The next hour was illuminating. Just as they were all feeling pleased by his praise of their crime-scene workups, he showed the class why he was the expert.

Standing at the chalkboard, Detective Poletti proceeded to change, embellish and add to their pitiful efforts, explaining all the while. He did it with a speed and clarity that took her breath.

By the time he’d finished, the class sat there in stunned silence. He’d filled two blackboards with onsite procedures they’d never even considered, despite the textbook murder case he’d prepared for them as a guide.

“Don’t bother to copy this down. While I pass back your stories, Kevin’s going to give you a handout of what I put on the board so you can study it at home.” He motioned to his son.

“You’ll notice when you get your synopses that I’ve made a few suggestions for crime-scene procedures. Combined with the handout you’re receiving, you ought to be able to create a credible list that’ll add authenticity to your novels.”

Heidi found herself wishing she had a copy of the crime-scene report that had been written the night of Amy’s murder. Something told her it would pale in comparison to what she could see written on her blackboards. The detail, the number of procedures, the orderly exploration of evidence—she doubted the real crime-scene report was a fraction as thorough as this fictional one. First thing in the morning she intended to phone John Cobb’s office to get what information she could.

Deep in thought, she didn’t realize the boy had already started giving them the handouts. Everyone tried to engage him in conversation. Judging from his answers, he was embarrassed by all the attention. A pretty typical reaction for a boy his age.

“Thank you, Kevin.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You must be proud of your father.”

“I am.”

“Are you going to be a police officer one day?”

“Maybe.”

“Where’d you get your blond hair?”

“My mom.”

“What grade are you in?”

“Eight.”

“Where do you go to school?”

“Oakdale Middle School.”

Heidi listened to the litany of questions that would have driven any of her own students crazy, too. He wasn’t a baby, but they were treating him like one. He showed remarkable poise by answering them, despite his obvious reluctance.

As he drew closer, she darted him a brief glance. He was a cute boy, but she couldn’t really see any resemblance to his attractive father. Sometimes that happened.

Dana, for instance, didn’t look like her parents nearly as much as Amy had. But Amy’s jealousy over Dana’s beauty and popularity had poisoned her soul long before someone had murdered her. That someone wasn’t Dana!

When it came Heidi’s turn, she thanked Kevin for the handout, remembering what he’d said about attending Oakdale Middle School. It was only a few miles from Mesa Junior High. That meant the Poletti family lived in Mission Beach.

None of it mattered of course. The fact that the detective’s residence was close to Heidi’s workplace should mean nothing to her.

Gideon Poletti was a professional. So if she was going to ask for his help, she needed to do it on a professional basis—and forget the way he made her heart pound.

He had a wife and child, for heaven’s sake! For all she knew, there were more children at home.

Disturbed by her preoccupation with him, she opened her notebook and took out her synopsis. As he left the room with his son, she immersed herself in Dana’s case. It was vital she make a compelling presentation. This was her one chance to capture the detective’s interest. Since he might recognize the case, she decided she’d better use real names.