Florida Heat

  “You mean like bird smuggling?”

  “It’s just a thought. I mean wasn’t that what he was sent to jail for in the first place?”

  Kate nodded. “If I remember correctly his claim was that he’d been set up. But he never would give names. Seemed to think it was our job to prove he was innocent.”

  “And?”

  “And all the evidence led to him. They found smuggled birds in his house and packages addressed to him contained more birds.”

  “They mailed live birds in packages?” Jo said horrified.

  “Yeah, it was pretty disgusting. Little things packaged in kid’s socks. Most were dead by the time we finally opened the boxes.”

  “That’s just wrong,” Jo stood up and took her plate to the sink. “If he had anything to do with that why is he out?”

  “First offense. His lawyer pleaded it down to criminal mischief so he only got 12 months in jail and not prison.”

  “He kills innocent birds and only does 12 months? That’s not right.”

  “Right or not, that’s what the law says.” Kate stood and took her plate to the sink and then began to wrap the leftover pizza. “So you really think he’s back in business?”

  “I don’t know,” Jo said rubbing her arm. “If I’d just gotten out of jail you’d best believe I’d be steering clear of the people who set me up, if that was what really happened. But the first thing he does is kill Rodriguez. This doesn’t make sense.”

  “It does if he really was set up and Rodriguez was the one who framed him.”

  “So he gets out and kills Rodriguez then wants to step into his shoes?”

  “Could be. There’s a lot of money in bird smuggling.”

  “I don’t know, maybe it’s just all mixed up in my head like you said.”

  “Give yourself a break, Jo, let it rest for a few days. I’ll do some digging and if anything turns up, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks, I’m just starting to wonder what’s real and what’s in my imagination that’s causing the weird dreams.”

  “What’s causing the weird dreams is probably your pain medication.”

  Jo stood and swayed slightly. “I can’t believe this but I’m tired again. I’m going to go to bed.”

  “Can you lie down yet?” Kate asked with concern.

  “No, damn it. Until my shoulder is better, I think I’m stuck with the recliner.” She started out of the kitchen. “It’s got to be the pills,” she said wearily.

  Kate watched Jo’s unsteady gate. “No, it’s probably from being shot,” she said quietly. By the time she had straightened the kitchen and went to into the living room, Jo was already sound asleep in the chair.

  Pain pulled Jo out of sleep again. Disgusted, she started to get up then saw two pills sitting in a dish on the end table beside her. Kate had even left a full glass of water. Jo snatched up the pills and drank half the glass. Knowing it would be a while before the meds kicked in she looked around. The clock said just after two. The house was quiet and Blitz snored softly beside her chair. Bella had sat up when Jo reached for the pills and now looked puzzled. “It’s okay,” Jo stroked the dog’s head and scratched behind her ears. “I’ll be back to normal soon. Meanwhile, let’s see if any of the pictures from today are worth keeping.”

  She eased out of the chair and quietly made her way to the kitchen. Bella followed and plopped down under the table with a doggie sigh. Jo flipped open her laptop then plugged in the memory stick from her camera. As she’d feared, most of her pictures were either out of focus, or completely off center. “Look, I have a great one of my feet,” she said to Bella. “And here’s a good one of the parking lot,” but the dog pretended complete indifference. Jo looked more closely at the picture. She hadn’t remembered there being any people in the park when she was there. Yet a black van was parked at the far end of the parking lot, and a van usually indicated a family with kids or someone with dogs.

  Deciding none of her pictures were worth transferring, Jo decided to check out Rhonda’s page and see the shots of their vacation. She chuckled at the one of Rhonda’s husband holding a baby alligator. The expression on his face was clearly, “How did I get talked into this?’ Clicking through scenery and group shots of folks she didn’t know, Jo paused when she saw a shot of herself sitting with Tony and Isaac at the table at AL'S. She hadn’t realized Rhonda had taken a picture. Then there was the one she’d taken of Rhonda and her husband. But the last shot in the series made her stop and look again. Rhonda was standing in the parking lot next to her car as her husband took the picture. But it was the truck in the background that grabbed Jo’s attention.

  She clicked on the picture to enlarge it. Was that the truck Brett had tossed her into? She could just make out the shadows of two men standing on its far side. Was that Brett and had he been talking to someone? And, looking more closely, Jo felt a shiver run down her spine when she saw the same black van she’d just seen in her own pictures. Coincidence, she wondered? “I don’t believe in them,” she confirmed out loud.

  * * *

  Julie hadn’t minded when Sylvia called her in a panic. Could she come in after school even though it wasn’t her scheduled day to work? Yes, yes, yes, she thought. When she arrived at the pet store Sylvia was behind the counter and holding her jaw.

  “Toothache,” she said, “I’ve got to get to the dentist. You are such a lifesaver.”

  “I’m happy to help,” Julie smiled. “Is there anything special you want me to do?”

  Sylvia grabbed her purse from under the counter. “I’ve checked in some boxes in the back, you can start shelving them. And if you finish before I get back, just check the aisles and straighten things. I shouldn’t be more than two hours.”

  “It’s okay,” Julie reassured her. “I know how to run the register now and you said Monday nights were usually not that busy. I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re just a lifesaver,” Sylvia said again and with a wave was out the door.

  Julie looked around the store with delight. I’d better get busy, she thought. It hadn’t taken her long to finish shelving the stock Sylvia had indicated. She checked each of the aisles and tidied anything that looked out of place, then she started wandering around.

  The kittens were always fun to play with and she was ready to take one out of its cage when the phone rang. Being closer to the back of the store, Julie rushed to the office to answer it. After giving the store hours to the caller, she hung up and looked around. Maybe she should check the stockroom and see if anything in there needed to be cleaned. If she left the doors open she’d hear the phone and the door chime if someone came in.

  She shoved boxes of extra inventory into their proper places on the stockroom shelves and swept the floor. Satisfied that she’d done all she could, Julie stood and looked at the door Sylvia had said not to bother with. The more she looked the more the forbidden door started to beckon. It wouldn’t hurt just to peek inside, she thought. A quick peek, that’s all she’d do, she wouldn’t even go in. But the door was locked.

  She stood for a moment undecided. Should she just forget it? Or was the key on the key ring that Sylvia kept under the front counter? Deciding it wouldn’t hurt just to take a look, Julie walked quickly to the front of the store and retrieved the key ring. Her third try fit and the lock clicked. When she opened the door and turned on the light she couldn’t believe what she saw.

  Two large birdcages sat at the far end of the small room where two beautifully, colored parrots stared back at her. The air was musty and carried a dank smell. Julie propped the door open and walked in. No wonder the room stank. These cages were in serious need of cleaning. Sylvia was so meticulous about the cages in the store, Julie couldn’t understand why she’d let these get into such a state. Carefully she walked closer.

  “Hey, you guys,” she cooed softly. “How are you?”

  The larger of the two birds responded by letting go a stream of green urine that splashed at the bottom of the cage. r />
  “Oh gross,” Julie stepped back. “You guys need to have these cages cleaned.” She started to turn to get the necessary supplies then stopped. Sylvia had specifically told her not to go into this room. Would she be angry if she came back and found that at the first opportunity she’d gone against a direct instruction? Julie looked at the two birds who looked miserably back at her.

  “I can’t, guys.” The smaller bird gave a chirp and ruffled its feathers as if to say, “Hey lady do something here.”“I know you need your cages cleaned,” Julie said, but I can’t take the chance that Sylvia would fire me. I love it here.” She stepped closer again. “But I can get you fresh water. She wouldn’t notice that,” and carefully she reached into the first cage and removed the filthy water container. She scooted to the sink in the stockroom and washed it. Then filling it with fresh water, she replaced it in the cage. She repeated the process in the second cage then reluctantly stood and watched the birds. They were bigger than the ones they usually sold, she noticed. And she wondered if that was why Sylvia had them in a separate room. Slowly she backed out of the room.

  “Don’t worry, guys,” she said to the parrots. “Sylvia will be back soon and I know she’ll have your cages cleaned in no time.” Reluctantly Julie turned off the lights and closed and relocked the door. Then she sniffed, did the air in the hallway now carry that dank odor from the room? Not wanting to take any chances that Sylvia might notice, she hurried for the room freshening spray they used. When she was satisfied that everything smelled normal, Julie closed the stockroom door. She walked the aisles again looking for anything that needed her attention but found nothing. The puppies were sleeping and even the kittens had curled up for a nap.

  With a sigh, Julie took Sylvia’s place behind the counter and flipped open her notebook. She might as well get started on her homework since there weren’t any customers. And with the shop’s phone in easy reach, Julie started to read as she waited for Sylvia to return.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hey, Kate,” Mitch called as she walked in to the bullpen. “Captain was looking for you. Said to stop by his office when you’re finished with the interview. And Phelps and his attorney are in Room One.”

  “Captain give any indication as to what he needed?” she asked. Looking down she missed Mitch’s grin as he winked at Stevens.

  “Couldn’t say. He’s probably steamed ‘cause you’re late.”

  Kate frowned and glanced at her watch. “What are you talking about? I’m not late. It’s not even 9:00 yet.”

  Mitch shrugged his shoulder with a “What do I know?” attitude.

  Kate stowed her purse and picked up her notes. “I’ll be in Interview One if anybody needs me.”

  “Go get ‘em champ,” Mitch called as she walked away.

  “You didn’t tell her about the award,” Stevens said rolling his chair to the aisle so he could enjoy the view of Kate walking down the hall.

  “Nah, let the Chief have the pleasure. I’m just damn glad they are giving her the recognition she deserves.”

  Stevens rolled his chair back to his desk. “Well, she’s one of the best cops I’ve ever worked with, that’s for sure.” And with a satisfied smile he went back to his files.

  Kate walked into the interview room and set her notes on the table. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She gave them a sunny smile. “How is everyone on this beautiful morning?”

  “There’s nothing beautiful about having to come down here again,” Frank Phelps snapped. “What the hell is going on? I already gave you a statement. I don’t have the time for this.”

  “Now, now,” she chided. “As the principal of an elementary school you must know how important it is to set a good example by doing your civic duty.”

  “I’ve already told you everything I know,” he glared. “What’s wrong with you people that you can’t get things straight the first time around? My time is valuable even if yours is not.”

  “Okay, Mr. Phelps, calm down,” the attorney advised. “I’m sure Detective Snow will have this cleared up so you can get back to work. Isn’t that right, Detective?”

  “Why, of course.” Kate’s smile vanished to be replaced with a flat-eyed cop stare. “You haven’t been completely honest with me, Frank, and I don’t like that.”

  “Detective Snow,” the attorney said quickly, “we don’t appreciate your tone or your attitude.”

  “It’s going to get a lot worse unless your client wants to come clean.”

  “That’s it, we’re done here. We came in voluntarily to answer questions but we don’t have to be subjected to this harassment.”

  “Harassment?” Kate all but spat the word. “You haven’t begun to see harassment. And your client didn’t volunteer to come in, so let’s not play games. You want to leave now, go right ahead,” she said pleasantly. “And I’ll let the press know we’ve identified your client as a person of interest in the Daniel Witmore murder case.”

  “What!” Phelps shot out of his chair. “I thought we were here to talk about Diana Harkins. I don’t even know Daniel Witmore.”

  Kate merely smiled and said nothing.

  “Sit down, Mr. Phelps,” his attorney said. “Detective Snow is fishing and she knows it.”

  “Am I fishing, Frank? Does your attorney know that you went to the Witmore’s house that morning?”

  Angry color started at his collar and worked its way up Frank’s cheeks. “I’ve never spoken to Daniel Witmore.”

  “Then you haven’t told your attorney what you and Danny argued about?”

  “Detective Snow.…”

  “I have a witness, counselor, so cut the bullshit.”

  “I need to speak with my client privately.”

  “Certainly,” she smiled. “I’ll just step out for a moment. Oh, and, counselor, be sure to advise your client on the penalties of making false statements to the police.

  Kate found Mitch standing outside the two-way glass with a grin that went from ear to ear. “Did I tell you I love to watch you work?”

  Kate gave him a quizzical glance. “You are in one strange mood today.”

  Mitch rubbed his chin. “It’s just that you come off so sweet and then “Wham!” you hit them right between the eyes. The best part is they never see it coming. Do you really have a witness?”

  “Mmm hmm, the neighbor from directly across the street saw him go into the Witmore’s house.” Kate rocked back and forth on her heels. “She said she could hear the shouting from her front yard, then Phelps stormed off.”

  “And where has she been all this time?”

  Kate turned and gave Mitch a winning smile. “Taking care of a sick mother in South Carolina. Oops, excuse me,” she said, giving a nod toward the interview room’s window. “I believe they want me to come back in.”

  “Detective Snow, my client would like to make a statement,” the attorney said.

  “Ready to deal Frank?” she said sitting down at the table.

  “No, but I’m ready to tell you what happened. I got a call from Mr. Witmore asking me to come to his home.”

  “Ah, so you do know him and you have spoken with him. Didn’t you just tell me moments before you didn’t know the man?”

  “Detective, my client is trying to set the record straight.”

  “Do you mean your client is trying to cover his lies? Okay, Frank by all means, let’s continue.”

  He pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I received a call from Mr. Witmore asking me to come to his home. He said he had something of the utmost importance to share with me.”

  “And you do that often?” Kate asked looking up from her notes. “Go to a parent’s home on a day when school isn’t in session because they call and ask you to?”

  Frank looked away. “He indicated that it would be in my interest to show up.”

  “I see.”

  “When I got there, he told me that he had found information about me, information that I wouldn’t want the parents of my studen
ts to know. Then he asked for money.”

  “Danny Witmore was blackmailing you?”

  “He was trying to,” Frank snapped. “But I didn’t give the son of a bitch a penny.”

  “So instead of paying him what he asked, you poisoned him?”

  “What? No, I did no such thing. I told him that if he tried to do anything like that I’d go to the police then sue him for slander.”

  “And what exactly was he holding over your head, Frank?”

  Frank’s color turned a darker shade of red and he clenched his fists. “He found information on the Internet about some trumped up charges.”

  “Trumped up charges?”

  “When I lived in Georgia my wife and I didn’t always get along. We had a nosey neighbor and anytime someone spoke above a whisper she called the cops.”

  “That doesn’t sound too threatening.”

  “I might have been arrested a few times,” he said finally.

  “Frank,” the attorney said, “you’re not required to give this information.”

  “It’s better than her thinking that I killed that bastard. So I shouted at him, so what? There’s no law against that, and that’s all I did.”

  “Did you know Mr. Witmore was into bodybuilding?” Kate asked.

  “What? How would I know that? I’d never met the man before that morning.”

  “Are you sure?” she pushed. “I mean we have some conflicting statements here. I have everything from ‘I never met the man,’ to ‘I met the man that morning,’ to ‘I only talked with him,’ to ‘I might have shouted at him’. Which is it Frank?”

  “I’d never spoken with him before his phone call. The first time I ever laid eyes on him was when I went to his house. I was there less than five minutes and I left. The end. Nothing else happened.”

  Kate continued her questioning until she was sure that Frank had nothing more to give. Then, thanking him, told them they were free to go.

  When she returned to her desk Mitch looked over. “You let them go? I was sure you were going for an arrest.”

  “So was I,” she said thoughtfully, “but I can’t make it work. Unless I can find proof that Phelps had met Danny Witmore before that morning, there’s no way I can pin the murder on him. I can’t see him carrying around a poisoned sports drink on the chance he might need it. It just doesn’t wash.