"A Ferrari," I said, my lips twitching as I held back a smile.
"Perhaps something a little less flashy?"
"Then no, I haven't decided."
"As soon as these cases are solved, we’ll go shopping for a new car." Solomon kissed me and I watched him walk out of the diner. Then I observed several other patrons watching him walk across the parking lot to the sidewalk. One of them loudly sighed. With a roll of my eyes, I followed my husband outside.
In the car, I dialed the number Austen gave me for Zach Gallo. Since he was Sophie Takahashi's only relative, I wanted to talk to him about his sister and get a feel for the kind of man he was. Austen's suspicions still puzzled me. I couldn't quite work out how someone with a supposedly hidden past could also have a very visible brother. Surely anyone who changed their identity or intended to hide something about their past wouldn't appear to have anyone? It was far more likely that someone in hiding would create a story about a family who died or abandoned them; people that could never be traced or contacted. I needed to corroborate their identities as a primary measure, and then get Zach's take on his sister's accident, gleaning whatever I could about his personality. Austen gave me the impression Sophie wasn't as close to Zach as she once was, and I wanted to know if Zach agreed with that assessment. If something was driving a wedge between them, could that same something be the source of Sophie's attack?
Zach didn't answer my call and a generic voice invited me to leave a message. Instead, I disconnected.
A dozen ideas whipped through my mind as I drove to the police station, each more fanciful than the last. Did Sophie have a secret gambling addiction and owe money to the wrong people? Had she witnessed a terrible crime only to be silenced? Was she having an affair and her lover tried to kill her when she wouldn't leave Austen for him? Was her attack a message to Austen from a disgruntled employee at one of his businesses? By the time I parked near the police department, the only thing I knew was: I had to keep an open mind and explore all avenues.
I picked up a visitor's badge from the desk sergeant and headed to Garrett's office, a route that usually took me a long time. I was almost certain to bump into several serving family members. This time took even longer since they'd all heard about the bank robbery and that I was present. By the time I reached Garrett, I was ready to get a coffee, sit down and let him tell me everything.
"I’ve got nothing for you," said Garrett when I stepped through the doorway. A stack of paperwork covered a large portion of his desk and he paused his typing on the computer.
"You don't even know why I'm here," I said.
"The bank robbery."
"Okay, so you do know but you don't know what I'm going to ask."
"It's not my case."
"Why the hell not?" I sighed as I dropped into the chair opposite his desk.
"Make yourself at home," grumbled Garrett, reluctantly giving me his attention as he rested his forearms on his desk and leaned forwards.
"Thanks. Can I have a coffee, please? I just ran into three of our uncles and seven cousins."
"Hah," said Garrett. "I got grilled by seventeen relatives, but thankfully, I outrank them all, so they only get thirty seconds before they have to leave me alone."
"It's nice they're so concerned about me."
"Mostly surprised you didn't get shot."
"So little faith." Garrett grunted and I decided not to question his apparent agreement with them. "How's Officer Andersen doing?" I asked.
"Fine. He was released from the hospital last night. It was a clean shot so he got a complete check-up and stitches but required no surgery. He's home now resting. The chief will probably award him a medal for bravery."
"Seriously?"
"And a promotion too, no doubt."
"He shouldn't have taken them on. He was pretty reckless."
"I agree, given how outgunned he was and all, but he still emerged a hero. You might get a nice handshake from the chief for admirably performing emergency aid."
"I'd like a set of new clothes. It's tough getting blood stains out."
"You should ask Solomon for a clothes budget."
"I would but I suspect he'll have strict limitations on what I can buy. It'll all be practical garments in dark shades. I'm not a dark shade person! I'm sunny!" I pointed to my pink pants.
"Have you thought about having two wardrobes, one for work clothes and the other for non-work clothes?"
"No, that never occurred to me."
"Maybe you should consider it."
"Solomon hired me because I don't look like a PI. If I start dressing like one, I'll never solve any cases. People will suspect me instantly and clam up."
"I don't think your fashion choices are the sole reason Solomon hired you."
"He liked my brain too."
"The fact he ultimately married you had absolutely nothing to do with what he was thinking when he hired you."
"Glad we both agree on that," I replied. "Now about the bank robbery..."
"Jord caught it."
"Caught what?"
"The bank case. It's his. You need to bug him for all the info."
I gaped. "That's not how this works. I always bug you!"
Garrett grinned. "Not today, sis'."
"I'm surprised Jord didn't interview me again. How careless. I better run through my statement with him, just to double check he has everything he needs."
"Ten bucks says he already knows you're in the building and expects you to turn up in his office any minute."
"I tried to come in stealthily. It's not my fault we're related to so many cops."
"Have you ever tried wearing a disguise?"
I stuck my tongue out. "Some help you are," I said, rising to my feet. "Where is Jord's office?"
"You don't know?"
"I've never bugged him at work before."
"Go back to the staircase, hang a right, walk directly to the end and you'll see the bullpen. If he's not there, he's probably out in the field."
I brightened. "He has a lead already?"
"You'll need to ask him that."
I got up and adjusted my sleeves. "Hey, did Maddox tell you what he was doing at the bank?"
"No. Weird that he and Farid showed up. I don't know who called them."
"You didn't?" I also wondered who called them when Maddox claimed to be in the area.
"Nope. The bank manager didn't seem to think anything was stolen but even if it were, I can't imagine why the Feds included it in their purview."
"Huh," I said, thinking about Charlie Sampson's entirely different story back at the agency. "I'll see you at Mom and Dad's?"
"Sure thing."
"Before I go, does the name Austen Takahashi mean anything to you? Or Sophie Takahashi?"
"Can't say I ever heard of either one."
We waved as I left and I followed Garrett's directions, reaching Jord's shared office only a couple of minutes later. The room was stuffy and busy with several old desks spaced equidistantly. The windows were hidden behind partially open metal blinds, with one set barely clinging to its attachments. There was a dead potted plant on the window sill amid a pile of folders. A radio played softly. Aside from Jord, there were two other men and three women occupying the office, each clad in off-the-rack suits and the kind of comfortable footwear I doubted I'd ever feel comfortable wearing in public.