ENTANGLED PURSUITS (MEN OF ACTION Book 1) Page 9

  It shouldn’t matter to her who Drew was sleeping with. She wasn’t there to rekindle an affair but to do a job. But then she remembered Joy’s words...

  “I told you they were nice,” Drew said, intruding in on her thoughts. “I was lucky to get a job here.”

  She glanced over at him as they continued walking toward the police cruiser. “Anyone know you were once in prison?”

  “Yes. But they also know I was exonerated, which would typically wipe the slate clean. That wasn’t the case with me because of my extensive juvenile-delinquent record. But they don’t know that part. They also don’t know my connections to help get me on the force. I never mentioned it to anyone. Not even Norm.”

  Yet he had mentioned them to her, Toni thought. “I won’t say anything, Drew,” she said, opening the car door and getting inside.

  He didn’t respond as he snapped his own seatbelt and started the ignition. It was only then that he smoothly changed the subject by saying, “We’re on our way to visit Johnnie Underwood’s girlfriend, Jamia Roundtree, to confirm his alibi. You’ll soon get your first look at Commodore Lane—where the well-to-do people live.”

  She nodded, remembering their interviews with Jennifer Evans and her two friends yesterday. “I wonder if Ms. Roundtree’s interview will be as interesting as the one yesterday with Jennifer Evans.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it.” Then he asked. “Did you sleep well last night?”

  She glanced over at Drew wondering why he’d asked. She quickly figured he was merely making conversation to pass the time.

  “Yes, thanks. I talked to my grandparents before leaving for work this morning, to assure them I was fine and to let them know how my first day went.”

  “And how are they doing?”

  “They are fine.” He’d always done that, asked about her grandparents although he’d never met them. She had been so determined not to develop a real relationship with him that she’d deliberately not introduced them. Now she realized it had been a mistake.

  Then again, had it? He hadn’t been any more forthcoming with her. He didn’t have any family, but he’d never gone out of his way to introduce her to his friends. At no time had Drew ever indicated he’d wanted more from her than what he was getting.

  He’d been completely satisfied with how their relationship had been going. Besides, had she introduced him to her grandparents, they would have started to wonder if she’d changed her mind about marriage. And she didn’t want that.

  “I got the officers’ report, Toni,” Drew said, breaking into her thoughts. “There were no video cameras in the neighborhood where Maria Tindal lived. And the interviews from the neighbors reveal nothing. Nobody heard anything, even those living on both sides of her. The only thing we do know is that whoever showed up at her place was someone she knew.”

  Toni nodded. “And we still can’t find the murder weapon?”

  “Nope. I’m hoping the ME calls to tell us what kind of knife was used—if it even was a knife.”

  “Has Bobby been the Medical Examiner long?” she asked.

  “About twenty years now. He has a certain way of doing things, and we don’t have a problem letting him. Especially now.”

  She raised a brow and glanced over at him. “Why especially now?”

  “Bobby lost his wife to cancer a few months ago. They’d been childhood sweethearts and had been married over thirty years. He took her death hard and needed some time off to figure things out. He only returned to work a few weeks ago, and we’re all glad to have him back. His replacement was difficult for any of us to work with.”

  Toni knew how important a ME was to a detective during a criminal investigation. Their findings were key and were often the determining factor as to how far to explore for evidence, and in the case of homicides, to provide an accurate analysis of the cause of death.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “We all were. Everybody likes Bobby and we liked his wife, too. They threw the best Christmas parties.”

  It didn’t take Toni long to think back to the last time she’d celebrated Christmas. She’d been sixteen. She had woken up that Christmas morning, hoping she’d gotten the cell phone she had asked for, among other things.

  She had gone into her mother’s bedroom to wake her up. But she hadn’t been able to shake her awake. It had been a Christmas she never got to spend with her mother because Nicole Bellamy had taken her own life.

  “We’re here.”

  Toni snapped out of her reverie and glanced out the window. The houses were huge. Even the condos on the Potomac were stately looking, with pristine yards and driveways. They were stopped at the security gate. This was the first time she’d ever been to a city where you had to go through security to get to a certain section of town. It was as if they wanted to be closed off from everyone, and could afford to have it that way.

  “There are fourteen different subdivisions in this area. No matter what subdivision you live in, it represents money. We have very few calls from this area. They’re law-abiding citizens on an extreme level. This is where your doctors, lawyers, celebrities, and politicians live.”

  “Apparently. I wonder what type of work Jamia Roundtree does.”

  “She’s an interior decorator, but she’s not the one with the money. Her father is. Ever heard of Tatum Roundtree?”

  “The retired football player? The Heisman Trophy nominee from Michigan State whom everyone thought should have gotten the trophy that year?”

  “Yes. He’s her father.”

  “Well, that explains things,” Toni said when Drew pulled into the circular driveway of a house so big, it could only be called a mansion.

  “The good thing is that there are a lot of security cameras around here, as well as the guard at the entrance. We have options if we need to confirm that Underwood stayed all night with Miss Roundtree, the way he claims,” Drew said.

  Toni got out of the car and then waited on the walkway for Drew. He was wearing a shirt, slacks, and jacket since the weather was slightly cool. He always looked neat in his clothes—that was one of the first things she’d noted at that seminar. He had stood out.

  “Is she expecting us?” Toni asked Drew when he came to join her on the walkway. He smelled so good this morning, but then, he always smelled good.

  “No. This isn’t a social call. But I’m sure Johnnie Underwood gave her a heads-up we might drop by.”

  Moments later they were knocking on the door, which was immediately opened by a maid in a starched white uniform. “Yes? May I help you?”

  “We’re here to see Jamia Roundtree.”

  The woman, who looked to be in her late sixties, lifted a brow and asked, “Is she expecting you?”

  “Not sure if she is or not,” Drew said. “But I would appreciate it if you could let her know that Police Detectives Oliver and Logan are here to see her. We can see her here, or we can have our uniformed officers pick her up and take her to police headquarters for us to talk with her there.”

  A smile touched the woman’s lips as if she would give anything to see that happen. She nodded. “Please remain here and I’ll let Miss Roundtree know.” The door was then closed on them.

  Drew glanced over at Toni, smiled and said, “Was it something I said?”

  Before Toni could answer, the door was snatched open and a beautiful woman, who appeared to be a few years younger than Toni, stood there, frowning. “Johnnie said you would call. He didn’t say anything about you showing up here.”

  “Sorry you were misinformed, Miss Roundtree,” Drew said with no remorse in his voice. “But we need to speak with you. We can either do it here or you can be escorted downtown by uniformed officers.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.”

  Evidently something in Drew’s voice warned her not to push him. The woman opened the door wider and stood aside. “Come in. I can spare you a few minutes of my time.”

  Drew gave To
ni a look that was easy to read. Aren’t we lucky? He stepped back for her to enter before him.

  • • •

  “My time is valuable, detectives, so I’ll confirm whatever Johnnie told you. He has no reason to lie.”

  Andrew frowned. What was it with rich people and their lack of manners? Well…some rich people. The Grangers had money, but Sheppard never acted like he thought he was better than anyone else. Far from it.

  “Our time is valuable, as well, Miss Roundtree, and I hope you don’t mind if my partner and I take a seat,” he said, sliding down on the sofa. Toni followed his lead and sat down, also.

  “We ask the questions and you answer. That’s the way it’s done.”

  She narrowed her gaze at him, then snappishly said, “Then, ask your questions.”

  “Where were you around ten two nights ago, Miss Roundtree?” Toni asked.

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “I was here. I went shopping in Arlington and returned around six. Johnnie came over around eight and he stayed with me all night.”

  “This is your permanent residence?” Andrew asked, glancing around. The house was huge. Probably four times the size of his.

  “I lived in a condo for a while, but I was always house-sitting for my parents, so they suggested I move in. They like to travel. They also have a second home in LA. That’s where they are now.”

  “So you and Johnnie were here alone? No household staff?”

  “No. They live elsewhere.” She’d glanced twice at her watch, letting him know that she was tired of their questions and was ready for them to go.

  Andrew ignored her hint. “What time did Johnnie leave the next morning?” Toni asked.

  She frowned. “I don’t know. I was asleep. I guess around eight or so. When I woke up at nine, he was gone.”

  “When did you and Johnnie Underwood begin dating?”

  “The middle part of last summer.”

  Toni studied her for a minute and then said, “Were you aware that he was dating Maria Tindal at the same time?”

  “Yes, and I was dating someone else at the time, too.”

  “You dumped your boyfriend and he dumped Maria so the two of you could be together?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t exactly dump my ex-boyfriend. He knew he was on his way out anyway, so it was no big deal. How Johnnie managed his breakup with Maria was his business. I understand she wasn’t happy about it.”

  What woman would be? Toni thought. “Have you ever met Maria Tindal, Miss Roundtree?”

  “I wouldn’t say we met, but I knew who she was. I’m sure her roommate told you why she and Johnnie broke up. Maria caught us together in a very compromising situation. So, I guess you could say we met then. She wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy about it either.”

  “Why not?”

  “I assumed Johnnie had told her about us. I knew he was still seeing her, but they weren’t sleeping together. I was giving him time to let her down easy.”

  How generous of you, Toni thought sarcastically.

  “Still, it was sad what happened to her,” Jamia added.

  Toni honestly didn’t hear any real sadness in her voice. “Yes, it was.”

  A half hour later, Drew and Toni were back in the car. She glanced over at him. “So, what do you think?”

  He shook his head. “I’m reserving judgment until after we check footage from the security cameras at the entrance of this place. As for Jamia Roundtree, she’s just another privileged woman. She thought nothing of having an affair with Underwood, although he was already involved with Maria Tindal. I can’t help wondering why she’s with Johnnie. She’s obviously the one with the money, thanks to her parents. Underwood has to bring something to the table.”

  At that moment a call from headquarters came through the car phone. Drew placed the call on speakerphone. “Detectives Logan and Oliver.”

  “This is Bobby.”

  “Hi, Bobby, what do you have for us?”

  “Information on the murder weapon. Just as I figured, it was a knife with a thick blade. Similar to one found in a kitchen.”

  “A kitchen knife?” Toni asked in surprise.

  “I would say so. One with a thick handle.”

  “Thanks, Bobby.” Drew ended the call.

  “I wonder if the killer brought their own or used one from Maria Tindal’s kitchen.”

  “I don’t know. But I suggest we revisit the crime scene and find out.”

  ANDREW AND TONI ARRIVED once again at Maria Tindal’s home. Crime scene tape surrounded the structure with huge “Do Not Enter” signs above the door. Getting out of the cruiser, they slid their hands into gloves, then ducked their heads under the tape and headed for the door. Using the official department key, they went inside.

  The smell of death assaulted Andrew’s nostrils. He should have been used to it by now, but he wasn’t. And the fact that he’d met the victim before her life was taken, and had known she was a likable person, rattled him and made him more determined than ever to find her killer.

  Closing the door behind them, he and Toni walked toward the kitchen. “I remember checking the knives in the rack on the counter, and all six were accounted for. But I didn’t pull anything out to check anything further,” Toni said.

  They took their time and drew out the knives, checking each one carefully under Andrew’s cell phone flashlight. Although it was still daylight outside, the lighting in the kitchen left a lot to be desired. Toni was standing close to him, and her closeness was getting to him. He was fighting hard not to let it.

  “Look, Drew.”

  Toni’s words caught his attention. When he stared at the knife they were holding under the light, he saw the same thing she did—a reddish substance was embedded slightly under the handle of the knife. He pulled a plastic evidence bag out of his pocket and slid the knife inside.

  He glanced over at her and smiled. “I think we’ve located the murder weapon.”

  Toni nodded. “That means she was killed with her own knife. But who would take the time to wash the blood off of it, and then put it back in the rack like that?”

  “Makes you wonder what else they did before they left,” Andrew said, glancing around.

  At that moment, the phone on his belt rang. He pressed the talk button. “This is Detective Logan.”

  “This is Joanie in Dispatch. We received a call from Morrow’s Gun Range. They pulled that footage you ordered. It’s ready for pickup.”

  “Thanks, Joanie. Can you please send an officer to the Tindal crime scene? We’ve got a possible murder weapon.” He clicked off the call and looked over at Toni. “Bobby and his team will find out for sure.”

  “What about Byron Nettles?” Toni asked as they left the kitchen and headed for the door. The man was next on their list to interview. He was the one Pamela Larkins had told them had been making a nuisance of himself with Maria Tindal.

  “We’ll pay him a visit after we pick up the footage from the gun range. They have video cameras all around, including the parking lot,” Andrew said, locking the door to the crime scene on their way out. They had also ordered the footage from the security station into the area where Jamia Roundtree lived. He hoped to be able to look at them within twenty-four hours.

  A cruiser pulled up and two officers got out. “We need you to get this to the crime lab,” Andrew said, giving the plastic bag containing the knife to one of the officers.

  After the officers left, Andrew glanced over at Toni. “Do you want to stop and grab something for lunch?”

  Toni shook her head as they walked toward the car. “I’m not hungry. But if you are, we can certainly stop somewhere.”

  He shook his head. “No, I’m fine, too. I just was thinking about you.”

  In fact, he was always thinking about her. Even while in Maria Tindal’s kitchen, going through the knives, he couldn’t help thinking of all the times they’d stood in his kitchen or hers, doing something together—sometimes without a stitch of clothes on. For som
e reason, they’d liked being naked around each other.

  “So, we’re going to the gun range now?”

  “Yes.” He watched her walk around the cruiser to get in the other side and wished he could stop his body from reacting. He also wished he could push his earlier conversation with his associate, Daniel Zinc, from his mind.

  Daniel was a detective in the Special Crimes Unit. He’d seen Toni that morning, and as soon as Andrew stepped off the elevator, Daniel cornered him, asking questions about his new partner.

  Andrew had always thought Daniel was a nice guy. He’d been one of the first who’d befriended him when he became a detective, although they worked in different crime units. Daniel was also someone he would get together with on occasion to watch football or basketball games.

  However, at that moment, he wasn’t liking Daniel a whole hell of a lot. He knew it wasn’t fair and that he had no right. What he’d had with Toni had been close to five years ago. He was certain she had been involved with other men since then, just like he’d been involved with other women. Yet the thought of her getting involved with someone he considered a friend bothered him.

  Once inside the cruiser, he snapped his seatbelt in place, still thinking about Daniel. If he introduced himself to Toni, Drew knew she would like him. Everybody liked Daniel. He was an all-around nice guy. And though Andrew had no right to be bothered by anything Toni did, he knew he would be pissed, just the same.

  He started the ignition and didn’t say anything as he drove toward the expressway that led to the gun range. This was his problem, not hers. And he’d have to deal with it. But how?

  “Is something wrong, Drew?”

  They had stopped at a traffic light and he glanced over at her. He was trying to get used to seeing her hair pulled back in a ponytail. When they’d been together, she’d always dressed to seduce. Her hair would flow around her shoulders and she would wear some of the sexiest outfits; those meant to intentionally fire his blood. And they never failed to do it.

  “What makes you think something is wrong?”