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“Then let’s go.” Goddard started for the door. “Did you see the photos that Mr. Dreyfus’s granddaughter took of his collection? It was amazing. A few of those coins…they must have been priceless to the family. My grandfather did some work in returning old artwork to owners that lost it during the war and he said it was one of the most rewarding things he’d ever done.”
“Your grandfather was a cop?”
“Fourth-generation cop here,” Goddard said, pointing at himself. “My brother’s a cop in Louisiana.”
“That’s where you’re from?”
“Yep. My blood runs blue. Rest assured, Dr. Reeves, my team and I will do our very best to get your friend’s collection back to his family.”
Sam was absurdly touched. “Thank you.”
“So,” Goddard said with a casualness that put Sam on alert. “What’s the deal with you and McKittrick?”
“No deal,” Sam said, trying to smile as he opened the door from Benny’s apartment into the outer corridor.
Goddard laughed. “If I believed you, I’d be asking you how I could get her to go out with me. She’s got a reputation.”
“What kind of reputation?” Sam suddenly felt like shoving Goddard against the wall and shaking him. Which was absurd.
“They call her ‘Detective No,’ ” Goddard said, chuckling. “The look on your face, Doc. I’ll keep my hands to myself. Promise.”
Sam’s scowl intensified. In spite of his best intentions, he might actually like this man. “She’s free to do what she wishes.”
“If you say so.” Goddard pointed to the door directly across from them. “Georgia Shearer.”
“Yes.” Sam gestured to the door on their left, at the tail end of the corridor. “That was Frankie’s apartment. He lived between them.” He knocked on Georgia’s door lightly. “Georgia,” he called. “You awake?”
“Coming.”
The door swung open and Sam had to swallow a gasp. In just a few hours, Georgia had appeared to age years. Her shoulders were hunched, her face weary, her eyes full of…nothing.
Fear took hold of Sam’s heart. “Georgia?”
She waved them in. “I’m okay, Sam. Just tired. Very tired.” She left them to close the door, sinking into her easy chair and closing her eyes. “Who have you brought to see me?”
“My name is Detective Goddard, ma’am. I’m with the robbery division. I’m investigating the theft of Mr. Dreyfus’s coin collection.”
Georgia’s lips trembled before she harshly pursed them. “I hate those coins,” she hissed. “I wish they’d never existed.”
“I can see your point, ma’am,” Goddard said, his tone respectful.
Georgia’s tone was bitter. “I don’t care about the coins. Just…go away. Please.” She turned her face away, her eyes still closed, but a tear trickled down her cheek.
Goddard gave Sam an it’s-your-turn look.
Sam pulled an ottoman close to where Georgia sat and took her hand. “Oh, Georgia. I’m sorry. I should have explained better before we leapt into this. Goddard is working with McKittrick and Robinson. They believe the person who stole the coins probably killed Frankie. So we’re here to find out who knew the coins were in Benny’s apartment.”
Georgia’s eyes flew open, snapping with fury. “You think one of us did this? One of Benny’s friends?”
Sam held on to her hand when she tried to yank it away. “No. Absolutely not. Listen to me. Please. Think about this. If any of the residents or staff found out about the coins and…well, they’re shiny and pretty, y’know? If it was a resident, maybe a relative came to see them. One who’s not so nice. We know a few of those, don’t we?”
She nodded cautiously and had stopped trying to yank her hand away. “Yeah. Get to the point, Sam. I’m not going to live forever.”
Sam winced. “Georgia. Please.”
Her expression softened. “I’m sorry, Sam. That was uncalled for. I’m just so angry. But I shouldn’t take it out on you. Never on you.”
Sam brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. “You are one of my favorite people in the world, Georgia Shearer. I don’t want to think of this world without you in it. So maybe save the biting sarcasm for next week?”
