“My name can open doors.”
“And shut them. I want the element of surprise on my side.”
He shook his head and sipped his coffee. “Well, don’t go alone.”
“I plan to take Detective Ryan with me. We’re working the case jointly.”
“Good.”
“And you?” she asked. “How are you planning to get your father to admit to all his skeletons?”
“I don’t know yet.”
She didn’t have a good feeling about the path the investigation was taking. “Be careful. I don’t like that the murders are so brutal.” She paused in thought. “There’s a problem with our suspect—the killer, I mean. He’s not working with Kaminski the way he should be.”
“What?”
“The murders are vicious and attract attention. When has August Kaminski ever wanted to be front and center in the newspapers? The home invasions invited police involvement and an FBI probe. Kaminski can’t be happy about that.”
“You’re right. So we think it’s two separate entities for these crimes? A murderer and a thief?”
Jane looked at him. “How did you learn about Rook? I need to know who told you.”
She didn’t think he’d answer as he stared down at his hands on the table. Then he glanced up. “Let me hold on to that for a little bit longer. I promise I’ll tell you when I can.”
“You can trust me, Matthew. I could have told Lionel Gambol about how I heard about Rook. I didn’t.”
“Lionel’s on this? Makes sense. He works around the agencies and sometimes through us. But he’s not one of us.”
“What is he, exactly?”
“I have no idea. But he sets my father’s teeth on edge. I like him for that alone.” Matthew chuckled, but his mirth had no substance. “I’m going to do more digging. Carefully,” he promised. “You do the same.”
“I will. Trust me. I’ve already been lectured by Lionel and my uncle.”
“Ah. Good.” Matthew stared into Jane’s eyes. “So when are we having that second dinner?”
She smiled. “You beat me to it. I was hoping we could discuss what we learn. How about Friday night?”
“That sounds like a date.” He reached out to stroke her hand thentook her fingers in his. After a gentle squeeze, he stood. “I need to get back. But Jane, promise you’ll be careful.”
She stood as well. “Careful is my middle name.”
“Liar. I still have gray hair from the Red Ribbon Killer case.”
“Well, look at it this way. I’m here. He’s not. And pretty soon, the same is going to be said for August Kaminski.”
“Your lips to God’s ears.”
Though not a religious person, Jane agreed. “Amen to that. Now I’m going to leave you and head back to the office. With any luck, I can reach the Hartes today.”
Unfortunately, the soonest she could meet with them was tomorrow. But at least she’d connected with Detective Ryan, who agreed to meet her there in the morning.
Jane spent the rest of the evening looking over the files Diego had amassed on the Hartes.
And boy, did she owe him big when she saw him again.
She texted Matthew, but when he didn’t respond, she decided not to bother him.
