She opened the center console for sunglasses. Saw the plastic sack resting there and had to laugh. Gabriel had tucked in a bag of sweet-tarts. She picked up a roll, opened it, ate the first one. He was good at subtleties. Subtle, yes, but clear in its message. She rather liked that about him.
She wasn’t a banker’s wife—probably same for the wife of a sheriff—she mulled over as she drove. But it was a worthwhile debate to decide if she could be. She found some music and turned up the volume, not so high it would bother the dogs. She’d return home, go to work in the morning at her State Police job, and when asked, say it had been an interesting vacation. It certainly wasn’t one she was likely to forget.
SIXTEEN
Evie Blackwell
Evie spotted Ann easily enough. She simply looked for a woman willing to stand in a parking lot on a winter day. Not that Ann looked cold—she was dressed in a black cashmere coat, gloves, plus earmuffs in a soft, white rabbit fur. Nor would many stand near a crime scene, not be put off by the fluttering police tape, the cops coming and going.
“Evie, thanks for making the time,” Ann said as Evie walked over.
“You make it easy for me, Ann, showing up right where I’m working for the day.”
“There’s a good place that does gyros over on MacArthur Avenue. Ride with me, we’ll order to go, and take a walk on the bike path.”
“You want to take a walk on December twenty-two when there’s six inches of snow on the ground,” Evie felt compelled to ask, “not to mention a wind freezing whatever it can touch?”
“It will wake us up, and only one direction of the walk will we feel the wind.”
Evie laughed at that image. “Sure, why not?” It would be a couple of hours before the medical examiner would hand the crime scene back to her. She had time. She tossed her backpack on the backseat of Ann’s airport rental, slid into the passenger seat, glad for the warmth.
“Your current case—serious trouble?” Ann asked as she swung out of the lot.
“A lawyer committed suicide—at first glance, at least. State got the case because he once sued the current police chief, and no one in that office was going to touch this investigation.”
“Smart of them.”
They stopped to get their lunch to go and then found the bike path easily enough. Ann parked at a nearby church’s lot, and they pulled up their collars and walked across the footbridge connecting with an asphalt path that followed a former railroad line. They had walked here before in the distant past. The wind wasn’t bad with the trees on either side, but the smooth snow was more like ten inches. Both were wearing boots—as functional as they were fashionable—and the snow wasn’t that much of a problem. Evie appreciated the stillness, and the lunch was as good as advertised. She kept it mostly wrapped in the foil to keep it warm, and they ate as they walked. She’d forgotten how nice it was to share a meal with a good friend, especially one that wasn’t rushed.
“I came to ask you something,” Ann said.
Evie nodded. “Ask me what?”
“I’ll get to that in a minute. But first . . . you haven’t heard from Gabriel recently, have you?”
“No. Didn’t expect to.”
“And you haven’t thought about calling him?”
Evie gave Ann a curious glance. “No, should I have? Something going on I haven’t heard about?”
“Nothing in particular. Grace’s parents—ballistics were a match to a handgun Kevin Arnett once owned, so that case has officially closed. The Thane brothers triggered a slide along that entire bluff to make the area safer before the land was sold and reburied the car, hopefully for good.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
“Yeah,” Ann said. “Grace appreciated the flowers you sent for her parents’ funeral, and the gift you sent for Angel—it was a thoughtful gesture, Evie.”
“It seemed appropriate.” The plastic horses had been hers as a child, and she remembered what it had been like opening that Christmas gift box and finding her wish list fulfilled. She’d kept them neatly boxed in her spare room for a child she still didn’t have. It was time to pass them on so that another could enjoy them.
“Grace is doing well,” Ann added. “She’s enjoying planning for Christmas. Baking up a storm. Her tears have passed, for the most part. I wanted to mention that because you saw so many of them over those two weeks.”
“She arranged her daughter’s vacation,” Evie said, “returned to Carin with all its terrible memories, and then gave herself two weeks where she could safely cry because that’s what she needed to do. You think I didn’t see that, Ann? That planning on Grace’s part to handle a personal crisis well? She’s got guts, that friend of yours.”
“Thanks for noticing. May I tell her that observation?”
Evie nodded.
“Josh is going to take them skating, build a snowman with Angel, generally find reasons for Grace to let him into her life this winter. His work gets busy come March and April, but he’s got some time now, and he’s planning to use it well. When you next come to Chicago, Josh would like to meet up with you, take you to dinner with Grace and Angel. I think he figures having Grace comfortable with a few cops would be a good thing. I can wave him off, though, if you prefer not to get that invitation.”
“No, it’s fine, Ann. I’d like to be more than passing acquaintances with Grace and her daughter.”
“She will appreciate that. I do too.”
“Sure. Will and Karen are doing okay?”
“I haven’t heard anything since we were there, but I expect so. Tom Lander got himself a summons to appear in tax court, so that saga continues. He started hiding money from his creditors and underreporting his income when his businesses began to fail—someone good in finance happened to notice that fact.”
“Paul’s pretty good with numbers,” Evie noted with a knowing grin.
“Super geeky grunt work, but he’s willing to dive in when it’s for a good cause,” Ann said with an answering smile.
Evie finished her lunch, tucked the foil in the bag. “I appreciate the updates, Ann. But that isn’t why you came to find me. What’s on your mind?”
“A formal invitation for the task force is coming from the governor-elect unless you want to decline it. A two-year deal, you keep the same title and desk you have now, time-share between your current boss and Sharon Noble, keep your hands on some current cases while primarily working cold cases with the task force.”
Evie had thought about the differences of her day job and what those two weeks in Carin had been like. The depths a cold case would require that a current one didn’t often need. “I’m excited about the challenge, Ann. I want in.”
“He’ll call you.”
“The governor-elect will call me,” Evie repeated with a smile. “Have to admit—that statement’s got a ‘wow factor’ to it.”
Ann laughed. “Been there. The first time the vice-president called me from DC, it took my breath away.” Ann neatly folded up the napkins and foil wrapper of her lunch, pocketed it. “All right. That was just the preliminaries. I’m retiring in a more formal way, Evie. And over the next couple of years I’ll be passing what has been falling on me over to you.”
“Ann . . .” Evie stopped to look at her friend.
“You’re ready for it.”
Evie felt her heart stutter. “Not particularly. What I know you do is already way deeper than I want to even think about, let alone what you haven’t told me.”
Ann simply smiled. “Flying lessons are your Christmas gift from Paul and me. And you’ll get comfortable with the governor calling you. I’ll open the door gradually to what is going on, Evie. But you’re made for more than you’ve considered for yourself, both personally and professionally. When the governor asks you to call him Jeffery, do so. Or stay with ‘sir’ if it’s impossible to make that step. But I think you’ll get there.”
“Okay.” Evie felt like the earth had just shifted under her, tried to find
her sense of balance. “Why me, Ann?”
“I see a lot of myself in you. The personal questions you keep wrestling with as much as the work. God has a good path in mind for you, Evie. There’s a rich life ahead of you, and it’s got so many facets. Work, certainly. But I’m also certain He has a rich personal life in mind for you too. Don’t be afraid of that. Wary about taking a wrong step, sure, and patience is a good thing. But don’t be scared of where He leads.
“I want you to enjoy the task force work, learn to fly, and begin to figure out how to take a deep breath and let important people lean on your expertise. They’re going to start doing so. The governor is likely in office for eight years. I predict over the next three years, his wife will become someone you’ll think of as a friend, his daughter will call you by name and not be surprised to find you at the breakfast table. The governor will hand you hard things to do because he’ll learn to trust what you tell him. When those days come, say yes, do your best work, and let the outcome go where it will.”
“Can I ask you something?” Evie asked.
“Sure.”
“You do that for people now, solve problems?”
Ann thought about it. “I have a friend gifted at solving problems. Like you’re gifted at being a detective, she can look at a situation and see what needs to happen. I think I mostly sort out how to help, as a friend. Sometimes it’s what I can do, sometimes it’s the resources I can bring to bear, but most of the time it’s knowing who I can ask for a favor.
“The calls I get are often a situation that requires discretion, occasionally secrecy, and probably has a security concern. That’s the circle of influence I walk in—my own and Paul’s. I don’t regret laying down the badge, not being the one dispatch will call to a scene. There’s still interesting work that needs to be done. But I can tell it’s shifting again, what God has in mind for me. I’m retiring in a more complete way and making sure people are there to deal with matters—passing the mantle, so to speak. You’re one of those people—not the only one, but an important one. If you’re married, single, retired, still on the job, the surface can look like many things, and it’s not going to be an issue, Evie. I want you to see the role, try it on for size. That’s part of the next few years if you want it.” Ann gave her a long, considering look. “You’ll take the flying lessons, think about it for a year?”
“I can do that, but I can’t imagine stepping into the role you fill.”
“You’ll adapt. He’s a nice guy, the governor. Adorable daughter. Great wife. His sister Shannon is a stitch, likes jokes like you do. We’re having a late holiday party on the twenty-ninth, Paul and I, seven o’clock at our place, and they’ll be there. Come with Rob if you wish, if he can get free for the evening. Matthew Dane will be there too if the weather cooperates. A few other people as well. Dress is jeans and some kind of holiday-decorated sweater, or dress slacks and a jacket if you’re not comfortable going casual.”
“A few other people would be who?”
“Mostly cops, or those who spend their lives around them. If a third of the guests aren’t children and dogs, I haven’t thrown a good party.”
Evie appreciated the image. “Thank you. I’m delighted to be invited.”
They turned back the way they had come. Ann offered a cherry candy from her pocket, and Evie unwrapped it with a thanks.
“I want to mention one other thing,” Ann said, “compliments of Paul.”
“Oh?”
“He said it’s the first time Gabriel had ever asked him for a read on a woman, that first day when he called to ask about you.”
“Did he now?” Evie asked, intrigued.
“Rob will grow on me,” Ann said, “if you like him enough to stick with him. I’ll figure out what you see in him and start to appreciate him more. But for what it’s worth, I think there’s somebody who’s a better fit for you, Evie. I think you know that.”
“I’m aware. You’ve been tactful, but not silent on the subject. I’m not sheriff’s wife material either, Ann.”
“Maybe not. But I would suggest you insert a maybe in your statement.”
“I’m aware of the fact that I’m waiting. I’m single because that’s the step I’m on. But it’s not the step I’ll stay on. I’m aware of that too.” Evie glanced over. “Gabriel Thane is not a small county sheriff, no matter what his job title says. Just as you’re not a retired cop. He just happens to inhabit that space for now, and he’s comfortable there. It’s where God has placed him. I like that about him. Gabriel’s got excellence in mind for the job he does now, and he’s not pushing out the walls of it on the assumption a bigger turf is more important.”
“He’s ambitious in the right ways,” Ann agreed. “It’s why Paul likes him.”
Evie got it. She nodded, glanced at her friend. “Flying lessons, huh?”
Ann smiled. “Wait till you learn how to take off on a runway packed with snow. It’s not something you do every day, but in the right situation where it’s necessary, those are some good skills to have in your tool kit. Flying at night around a storm is another one.”
“Okay, I vote for summer flying lessons . . . in something that flies about the speed of a bicycle,” Evie replied.
Ann laughed. “You’ll love it, Evie.”
“It’s a really nice gift. The truth is, I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
“I know you have, hence the offer. It’s time.”
Evie nodded and repeated, “It’s time.” They were back in sight of the car and warmth. “I’ve got a lawyer who needs an official ruling of suicide or murder. That’s my afternoon.”
“I’m picking up a state congressman, flying him to Chicago so he can apologize to his daughter for forgetting her birthday.”
“Ouch.”
“The divorce was messy, but he honestly didn’t intend to hurt his daughter. He’s beginning to realize why his life ran so smoothly before, and it wasn’t because of his staff. He had an organized wife who loved him.”
“Playing matchmaker, Ann?”
“I’m all for people admitting they made a mistake. A second marriage to his ex-wife would probably go better than the first attempt. I like them both, so I don’t mind playing Cupid.”
Evie laughed at the way Ann described it. “Yeah. I can see why you’d spend an afternoon doing that favor.”
Ann drove back to the crime scene and parked past the police tape. Evie got out, picked up her backpack. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll call you about the party.”
“No need. Show up with a guest if you’re free, no big deal if you’re late or alone. You have other plans that night, I’ll invite you to the next one.”
“Okay. Thanks again, Ann.” Evie ducked under the tape, headed back to work. She felt a bit like she’d been walloped with a fastball. Evie glanced up toward heaven for a brief moment. She’d never been so grateful for a day job and a case to work as she was right now. This was something she was comfortable concentrating on for the next several hours. She’d think about Ann’s visit and its implications later tonight. She knocked snow off her boots and stepped into the building. “Where are we, Bill?”
The officer pointed to the service elevator. “Body’s on its way down. Think he had help, Lieutenant?”
“I’m going to find out.” Based on what she’d learned so far, she figured it was a coin toss, suicide or murder. That would tip in the next few hours because she was good at the job.
A fat cardboard tube with a red bow on top sat on her desk. Evie walked over to check the attached card while she unbuttoned her coat. The gift hadn’t been there when she left yesterday evening for the shooting range. The parking lot had been mostly cars she recognized when she eventually left for home. Ann, she guessed, as she had been in town the day before and liked to arrange things like this.
She picked up the card. Merry Christmas, Evie. She recognized Gabriel’s handwriting even before she saw the initials GT. She removed the bow and lifted the rather heavy tube. A
map of some sort? No, the tube was too short for that. She reached inside and felt metal, flexible but strong, and eased the coil out.
Precision-cut metal letters in Calibri font. I am not a wo . . . She didn’t need to see more and laughed out loud. I am not a woman of small ambitions. He’d remembered the stencil she suggested for her office, had the sign made for her. She glanced at the wall over the window and thought it would be perfect there. She unrolled the gift and saw it hooked with wire loops at the top and either end. A small plastic bag with picture nails had been taped to the first letter. Oh yeah, he does thoughtful, all right.
She opened the top left drawer of her desk, pulled out a blank stationery card embossed with her name at the top. Gabriel, you hit a home run with your Christmas gift. Thank you. Evie. She slipped the card in its matching envelope, found his work address in her files, and put the card in her outgoing mail. She hadn’t gotten him anything but wasn’t going to sweat it. When she saw something that reminded her of him, she’d buy him a gift.
This was turning out to be a very nice end to the year.
January arrived and stomped on her cheerful mood. Normally, Evie didn’t mind working weekends, but right now half the support staff were still vacationing somewhere warm and she didn’t get paid enough for the reality of working crime scenes in the cold and blowing snow. She’d pulled a body out of the semi-frozen Illinois River today and still smelled like it, even after washing her hair twice in the locker room shower and changing clothes down to the new tennis shoes she wore. It seemed like the odor had invaded her skin, or at least her nose, and Evie was tempted to find some Vicks ointment to combat it. She did pull a rarely used bottle of perfume from her desk drawer and sprayed it more liberally than she otherwise might. She’d have to ID the man before she could figure out how he ended up in the river. But at least this one still had his hands—the last body pulled from the river didn’t.
A new folder had landed in her inbox. Lab results on the dead lawyer, sent to her from the medical examiner. The official cause of death was determined to be suicide, yet Evie found it odd the lawyer had overdosed on his cousin’s prescription rather than his wife’s. A good defense lawyer with an ego to match didn’t go the suicide route easily. She wanted a solid reason for his taking the pills, one that made some sense to her before she closed the case. She could imagine a suicide note: Blackmail drove me to kill myself . . . She’d find more time to analyze the case before she moved it off her desk.