Call Me! (33 page)

“Which was a lie.”

“Yes. On the chance the police might check, Gray called Ben and asked him to confirm his alibi.”

“Why would Ben do that?”

“He knew Gray was having an affair, but didn’t know it was Patty until Gray explained why his car was parked near the scene. Gray said if Ben didn’t corroborate his story, Patty would have to, and he’d lose his job and tenure. Of course, Ben would have loved to call Dean Fitzgerald and say, ‘Thanks for firing me. By the way, your wife’s sleeping with Gray Halloran!’”

But he didn’t,” I say.

This is the favor Ben told me about.

As if reading my mind, Carter says, “Ben agreed to provide the alibi, but as luck would have it, the cops never followed up. Still, Gray owed him a favor, because he got to keep his job.”

“So when Ben needed someone to break the news about my identity, he chose Gray, because he owed Ben a favor.”

“That’s right. Of course Ben thought Gray slept with Patty that night. He had no reason to believe Gray killed Jaqui Moreland.”

“So Ben had Gray play the role of his old roommate, and created a story that made it plausible how Roy could discover my true identity.”

“Exactly. Gray had been trying to talk me into dating him. When he told me Ben offered him eight thousand dollars to reveal your identity, I told him he was missing out on the big money. Nude photos of you would be worth a million dollars after your story broke. So we started dating, and I pretended to enjoy it.”

Sophie says, “You’re quite the whore, aren’t you!”

Sal says, “Tell her about Ben.”

Carter says, “Gray killed your husband.”

“
What?
”

“Gray heard the cold case guys were about to get involved. He still had the panties and photograph, so he decided to kill Ben and frame him for Jaqui’s murder.”

“How could you possibly know all this?”

Carter shrugs. “I’m the one who planted the evidence in your house.”

I COME OUT of my chair so fast no one can react. But Sal pulls my hands off Carter’s throat before any real damage is inflicted.

“You’re a—whatcha call—spitfire!” he says. “But you need to calm down.”

“I don’t
have
to calm down! This bitch framed my husband for murder!”

“Be grateful you’re hearing the truth. I came very close to never letting you know these things. Now sit down.”

Sophie moves her chair closer, puts her hand in mine. I take a few deep breaths and say, “What do you mean Gray killed Ben? How?”

“Ricin poison.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Ricin poison is extracted from castor beans. A lethal dose in humans is the size of a single grain of salt. Gray had access to Riverton’s laboratory, and knew what he was doing. When Gray and I went to your house to meet Ben, he put the ricin in Ben’s coffee.”

“When?”

“The day before Gray broke the news to the tabloids.”

“Where was I?”

“How do I know? The gym? Your office? You tell me.”

“Ben lived several days after that.”

“Ricin takes two to four days to kill, depending on how old or healthy you are. The symptoms show up as a flu bug, or severe cold, and keep getting worse until the heart gives out.”

I feel Sophie squeeze my hand. I also feel the tears spill from my eyes.

“What kind of monster
are
you? How could you
do
that to Ben?”

“I didn’t know Ben, so I felt no loyalty there. And you pulled a gun on me at the hotel, so I felt no loyalty to you. At the time I didn’t know you erased the photos, so I was simply protecting my investment. I agreed to walk around the house and plant the evidence while Gray and Ben talked.”

“How did you get all those items in our house?”

“I had a large tote bag. Ben never paid any attention to it.”

Sophie says, “Why admit all this now?”

Carter looks at Sal.

Sal says, “Roy poisoned Carter, same way he poisoned Ben.”

Carter says, “I was lucky. He left me for dead in a hotel room, but the maid ignored the Do Not Disturb sign.”

Sal chuckles. “She was determined to put a mint on the pillow.”

I’m in no mood to chuckle. Neither is Sophie. She says, “I hope you suffered. How could you date a man who raped and killed a child?”

Carter shrugs. “I thought there might be money in it.”

“I’ve got a better question,” I say. “How did you get Ben’s fingerprints on that disgusting photograph?”

“I didn’t. The police or FBI did that.”

“That settles it. I’m going on national TV to demand a formal investigation.”

“There’s no evidence,” Sal says.

“We’ve got Carter’s testimony and my alibi for Ben.”

“After today, there’ll be no evidence Carter ever existed.”

Sophie says, “What’s going on here, Uncle Sal?”

“The truth? Gray got whacked.”

“Why?”

“When Carter got poisoned, she contacted me through—whatcha call—intermediaries. I don’t—whatcha call—condone child rape or murder. That can’t go unpunished in my city. When I learned who did this terrible thing, I put the word out, and someone snuffed Halloran.”

“So that’s that?” I say.

“There’s not much point in stirring up old bones.”

“There is if the world thinks your husband’s a child killer.”

“That’s your word against the cops. And they’ve got the evidence.”

“I’ll demand a formal investigation into the search conducted at my house when they found Ben’s body. I’m a private investigator. I’ll make it my life’s mission to clear Ben’s name. Plus, I’ve got the national media on my side. You can bet I’ll find out who planted Ben’s fingerprints on Jaqui’s photograph!”

Sal says, “Let it go, Dani.”

Sophie says, “She’s not going to let it go. And I won’t, either.”

“Aw, shit,” Sal says.

He sighs.

Then says, “Fine. Tell your story to the media. Let them conduct a—whatcha call—internal investigation.”

“You think it won’t work.”

“I know it won’t.”

“Why?”

“The cops will never admit one of theirs planted evidence. Carter’s getting a new face, new identity, and fingerprints. You could bump into her on the street next year, you’ll never recognize her.”

“What are you talking about?”

Sophie says, “The government. Uncle Sal got her a deal. The question is why?” She looks at her uncle. “Let me guess: Homeland Security? Fighting terrorism?”

He ignores her and looks at me. “I don’t blame you for wanting to clear Ben’s name. I like that about you.”

I frown.

“I’m serious. I like you. I’m welcoming you to the family.”

“It’s not like we’re married,” Sophie says.

“But it’s a good family, yes?” Sal says.

“It’s a good family,” Sophie agrees.

To me he says, “You’re angry now. I get that. If I knew you were hiding out with my niece before Gray got whacked, I would’ve helped you clear your husband’s sacred name.”

I deepen my frown.

Sal says, “You’re a spitfire. I like that. I know you’re—whatcha call—annoyed with me at the moment, but I’m a good friend to have.”

He produces a card with a phone number on it. No name, just a phone number. He pushes it across the desk to me.

“Someone bothers you? Call this number,
capisci?
”

“Thanks, Uncle Sal,” Sophie says, on my behalf.

“Okay, then,” Sal says. He stands. “So we’re all on the same page about this?”

“Not really,” I say.

“Why not?”

“I can’t believe you’re going to let this happen! Carter admitted her involvement, but you’re going to let her
walk
? She could probably get immunity for her testimony.”

Sal says, “Two problems with that. First, Halloran’s dead. Second, Carter’s deal has been made.”

“But she could clear Ben’s name. Think of his son.”

Sal frowns. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. I made things worse.”

I stand and say, “You’re refusing to help me?”

He looks at Sophie. “She’s relentless!”

Sophie stands. “You should like that about her.”

“I like
everything
about her. But she doesn’t like
me
.”

“I’d love to be friends with you and your family,” I say. “But if you won’t help me clear Ben’s name, I don’t see how that’s possible.”

Sal shrugs. “I can’t help you, but I won’t stand in your way. How’s that?”

“Not good enough.”

I turn to leave.

Sophie hugs him goodbye. Then she and I exit the social club, climb in the limo, and I collapse on her shoulder and start crying.

“Things will work out, Dani. We’ll clear Ben’s name.”

“I know
that
,” I say. “I’m crying about us.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to lose your friendship. And that breaks my heart.”

I reach in my purse, pull out my cell phone, click a button, and hold it up so she can hear Sal say, “I can’t help you, but I won’t stand in your way. How’s that?”

“You recorded our conversation?”

“I did. Everything’s on tape. I’m sorry, Sofe, but I owe it to Ben.”

“You’re aware this tape could send Sal to prison?”

“Please tell me he’s got some judges in his pocket and the best legal representation money can buy.”

“Of course he does. But don’t you even care how this will make me look to my family?”

“He should’ve searched us. I can’t believe a crime boss would let us walk into his private office without searching us! I simply took advantage of his oversight.”

“It wasn’t an oversight, Dani. He trusts me. You took advantage of that trust.”

“Like I said, I knew this would come between us. And that breaks my heart.”

I put the phone back in my purse. Then it dawns on me the limo is still parked in front of Sal’s club.

“Why aren’t we moving?” I ask.

Sophie smiles.

“You know I love you,” she says.

“I hope so.”

“Well, I have a confession to make.”