Last to Die (42 page)

Chapter
Sixty Jack kept the telephone conversation short. Theo had laid out his findings quickly, and Jack was eager to put the question to Sally's ex-husband: Could Javier - the man who became her bodyguard - have been her stalker, the man who murdered their daughter?

Miguel sat on the edge of the couch, staring pensively into the steeple he'd formed at the bridge of his nose with his index fingers. Jack watched his expression tighten, his face grow redder.

Are you okay? asked Jack.

I can't believe it, he said in a low, angry voice.

It's still just a theory for now. But we know Sally was being stalked. We know that someone was probably videotaping her from the attic over her bedroom. And now we find a stash of videotapes in her bodyguard's closet.

Miguel didn't answer. He seemed to be taking it all in.

Jack continued, It fits with the message you got on your answering machine this morning, too.

How do you mean?

He was her bodyguard. Her protector in life. The guy who left that message seems to be playing the same role. Protecting her, avenging her death.

Should we call the cops?

Not yet. Theo wants to probe a little more, see if he can get Javier to cough up the tape with Sally's name on it. We haven't found it yet, but -

And you never will, he said.

Why do you say that?

What idiot would be stupid enough to keep that tape around this long, after all that's happened?

You'd be surprised. It's like collecting trophies for some of these guys. They keep jewelry from their victims, snippets of hair, clothing, all sorts of things that a rational person would burn at the first opportunity. But that's why I say we should let Theo press him a little more. You call the cops, I guarantee that tape will disappear.

He shook his head slowly and said, How could she hire that creep as her bodyguard?

She was fooled. She never saw her stalker. So when he came applying for a job as her bodyguard years later, she didn't have any reason to make the connection.

He looked down, gnawing his lower lip. I don't believe that for a minute. No way Sally was fooled.

Well, if she wasn't fooled, then that would mean she knowingly hired the man who

Miguel's eyes were smoldering. Now you get it, don't you? Can you imagine being so cock crazy that you cover up for the guy who murdered your own daughter?

Jack took a half-step back. That's a pretty big leap you're making. You're saying she had a thing for her stalker?

I didn't say he started out as her stalker. He became her stalker. It's like I thought all along. The guy started stalking her after she dumped him or cooled off the relationship or something like that. I knew that bitch was seeing someone. I always knew it.

Jack paused, perplexed by his response. Wait a minute. The first time you and I talked, you told me the same thing you told the police in their investigation into your daughter's murder. You said that Sally never told you or anyone else that she was being stalked until after the murder.

Yeah, so?

That seems inconsistent with what you just said - that you knew Sally was seeing someone. That you always knew it.

Miguel narrowed his eyes, seeming to resent the way Jack was picking apart his words. You fucking lawyers, always trying to twist things.

I'm just trying to reconcile your own statements, that's all.

All I meant was, you know - when I said that I knew she was having an affair, I didn't realize she was a cheater until after our daughter was murdered, after Sally claimed that she was being stalked.

No, that's what you said the last time we talked. What you just said was different. You said you always knew it.

What do you want from me, Swyteck? You like playing these little word games? Yeah, I said always. Ever since our daughter was found dead and Sally came up with this stalker story, I always had my doubts. That's always. I didn't mean from the beginning of the fucking world.

Jack thought for a second, figured maybe he had pressed too hard. Okay, gotcha.

I had my doubts, all right? I always had my doubts as to whether she was speaking the truth when she said she didn't know who her stalker was. The prosecutor had the same doubts after she failed the polygraph.

Okay, I got it.

Maybe I should remind you that I was the one who passed the polygraph when the cops asked me three different ways if I murdered my daughter, stabbed my daughter, or hurt my daughter in any way.

Jack let his gaze linger. Miguel was starting to sound like the many clients he'd visited in prison, the ones who proclaimed their innocence a little too forcefully.

Miguel said, I'd love to sit and talk all day, but I got some things I gotta do.

Sure, said Jack. Thanks for your time.

You bet.

Miguel walked him through the living room, through the enclosed front porch that Miguel had converted into an office area. Jack didn't stare, but he quietly took it all in as they headed for the door. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, but his gut was suddenly telling him to learn as much about Miguel as he possibly could, right down to the paint color on the walls and the type of computer he owned.

Miguel opened the door, and Jack stepped out. Call me if there's anything I can do for you.

I will, said Miguel.

The door closed, and as Jack started down the sidewalk, he had the distinct impression that he wouldn't be hearing from Miguel. Not anytime soon.

Chapter
Sixty-One Javier was sitting in the TV room when Theo returned to the kitchen. Theo walked around the bar stools, pulled up a chair, and straddled it, his arms resting atop the backrest. Javier was no small man, but Theo still dwarfed him, not with size but attitude.

So, how's our friend Kelsey? asked Theo.

The goofy grin slid off Javier's face. You know her?

Know her? I'm the one who told her to give you a call.

You? Well, hey - thanks.

Don't thank me, moron. You didn't think that was real, did you?

Were you listening to us?

Hell no. I scripted it. It was Kelsey's job to drag you off to fantasy land, so I'd have time to look around your bedroom.

His mouth fell open, but the words were a few seconds behind. You went in my room?

Theo shot him a look that would have sent most men running. If there's one thing I hate more than a guy who threatens a single mother, it's a guy who threatens her kid. So, where is it, lover boy? Where'd you hide the revolver with the polished nickel finish? The one you shoved in Kelsey's face.

Javier looked as if he were about to explode. He started to rise, then stopped.

Sit the fuck down, said Theo as he took aim with the borrowed pistol.

Hey, that's mine.

Didn't anyone ever tell you? Guns make really shitty pets. Turn on you in a minute.

Be careful, all right? That thing's loaded.

I know. I can tell from the weight. It was a nice way to let Javier know he was no stranger to guns with a magazine full of ammunition.

Javier settled back into the couch, his eyes darting nervously from the stern expression on Theo's face to the black hole at the end of the barrel.

Theo said, I think I will have that drink you offered earlier. Not beer, though.

Javier pointed with a nod toward the liquor cabinet. Help yourself.

Theo rose and walked to the cabinet, keeping one eye and the gun trained on Javier at all times. Let's see what you got here, he said as he sorted through the variety of bottles. Scotch. Rum. Bourbon - if you can call this bourbon. My grandma used better liquor than this to make bourbon balls at Christmas.

Beggars can't be choosers.

He nodded, smiling on one side of his mouth only. Sit tight, friend. I'll teach you a thing or two about begging.

Javier sank a few inches into the couch.

Theo checked the labels on a few more bottles, then selected one. Here we go. One-fifty-proof vodka. Now that's what I call a drink. One for you, lover boy?

No, thanks.

Theo walked toward him, unscrewed the cap, and shoved the gun into Javier's cheek. I'd really like you to have a drink.

Whatever you say.

Theo poured the vodka onto Javier's head, emptying almost the entire two-liter bottle until Javier and the couch were soaked.

Say when, said Theo.

Javier was silent. Theo stopped the shower with about an ounce remaining in the bottle. Then he went back to his chair and poured the remaining vodka into a little puddle on the cocktail table in front of him. He pulled a cigarette lighter from his pocket and said, You can always tell the good stuff. True one-fifty vodka should burn with a nice blue flame.

Javier went rigid. Theo put the lighter to the spilled vodka, then gave it a flick. It burst into a blue flame that danced atop the cocktail table. Javier jerked back against the sofa, getting as far away as he could. Theo let it burn for about a minute, watching Javier sweat through his vodka-soaked pores. Then he slapped the table with the palm of his hand and extinguished the flame with a loud crack that nearly made Javier jump from his seat.

He aimed the gun at Javier's left eye and asked, You a smart guy, Javier?

What?

You got a brain in your head? I just want to know.

People say I'm pretty smart, yeah.

Good. Because there's something I want you to figure out for me. You think you can do that?

He shrugged, saying nothing.

I asked you a question, said Theo, his voice gaining force. Can you do that for me?

Sure, said Javier, his voice quaking. Whatever you want.

Let's say I start your house on fire.

Man, please -

Shut up! his voice boomed. You let me finish, and don't interrupt. Got it?

Javier nodded.

Theo softened his tone, but it only seemed to put Javier even more on edge. Let's say I start your house on fire. And let's also say you're in it.

Javier was struggling to show no reaction, his left eye twitching. Theo said, This is just hypothetical, okay, lover boy? Now, once the fire's out, people are gonna say things like, Hey, you hear Javier's house burned down?' And then some guy will say back, Yeah, I hear he burned up with it.' Theo scratched his head and said, I just don't get that, do you?

Javier looked confused. Get what?

Listen to what I'm saying, numb nuts. Your house burns down, but you burn up. What the hell's with that? Do the fires burn in different directions? Do the flames somehow magically meet in the middle? And if they do, at what point do you start burning down and the house start burning up?

Theo flicked his lighter, let the flame spike into the air. The look of fear on Javier's face was instantaneous, as if he was suddenly aware of how flammable he was, soaked with one-hundred-fifty-proof vodka.

Watch that lighter, okay? said Javier. Please, don't burn me.

Don't worry. I won't let you burn long. Maybe thirty seconds, tops, before I have to put a bullet in your head. Neighbors and what not. Can't have you running around the living room screaming like a wild banshee. Flaming, no less. His lips curled into a sinister smile. Flaming wild banshee. I like that. Great name for a drink. One-fifty vodka and maybe a sliced jalapeA+-o pepper. I'm a fucking genius, don't you think?

Sure, man. Whatever you say. Just put the lighter away, okay?

Theo sat back, his smile fading. Theo had a disarming smile, and it came naturally. But he could look as bad as Tatum if he put his mind to it, and at that moment he was doing his very best to be exactly like his older brother. Tell me how you picked the name Alan Sirap, jerk-off.

Who?

The phony name you passed along to Sally Fenning over the Internet.

I swear to God, I don't know what you're talking about.

Really? Then why'd you videotape her?

What videotape?

I saw your little library, all those tapes in your closet. Didn't see one for Sally, but I'm sure we'll find it here some -

That's not -

Shut up! Theo shouted. What did I say about interrupting me?

I'm sorry, okay? But -

Don't give me no lip, asshole. I'll bet you weren't even her bodyguard. You probably didn't even work for her, did you? What were you, her self-appointed bodyguard? Bodyguard is a nice way of saying you were her stalker?

Javier was turning ash white.

Theo flicked his cigarette lighter, then adjusted the flame upward until it was shooting a six-inch tongue of fire. Show me your tape of Sally.

There is no -

I'll turn you to toast, man.

I'm telling you, there is no tape.

Don't lie to me!

I'm not lying! Please, don't burn me, man. Just don't burn me!

Theo extinguished the lighter, then ripped the Pauline tape from inside his coat and threw it at him. Play it. Let's see your work.