“Would you mind if I talk to your wife?”
“Almost ex-wife.” The hurt in his eyes is undeniable. “I don’t give a shit if you talk to her. In fact, I don’t give a shit about anything to do with her anymore.”
I pull some cash from my wallet and toss it on the bar. “This is for his drinks and mine,” I tell the bartender.
“You don’t have to do that, detective,” Mark says.
“I know. I want to.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “Anyway, can I get your home address?”
He rattles it off, and I type it into my notes.
“Thank you, Mr. Rutkowski. Take care.”
29
DETECTIVE PAIGE WALKER
“Can I help you?”
“Mrs. Rutkowski, I’m Detective Paige Walker with the NYPD. May I speak to you for a moment?”
“I don’t understand. Why do you need to speak with me?”
“I need to ask you a few questions about Katherine and Brian Grisham.”
“Come in.” She gestures. “Can I get you some coffee or something?”
“No. I’m good. Thank you.” I sit on the light gray sectional that occupies most of the living room.”
“It just happened, you know,” she blurts out.
“What did?” I ask.
“The affair with Brian. It just happened. It wasn’t planned or anything.”
“I’m not here about that. Do you remember anything out of the ordinary about that night or after the attack on Brian and Katherine?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “There was nothing out of the ordinary.”
“What about Katherine? How was she?”
“She almost died, detective.”
“I’m aware. Did she say anything to you while she was staying here? Anything that you thought was odd or strange?”
“No. Nothing. Are you saying that Katherine killed Brian?”
“No. I’m not saying that at all. There have been some murders back in New York that are identical to what happened here. Break-ins, missing jewelry, and the men were all stabbed twenty-two times.”
“Oh my gosh. That’s horrible. You have no idea who did it?”
“No. Unfortunately, we don’t. That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to find something that could connect the murders.”
“I’m sorry, Detective Walker. I wish I could help, but I can’t.”
“You were the one who helped Katherine pack up her home after the murder, correct?”
“Yes.”
