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"That could mean they just didn't like each other." Jacob clinched another shrimp.
"You are as bad as Daniel. I know there are sensible explanations for stuff, but I also know what I pick up on when it comes to mannerisms and facial expressions. I'm telling you, Jacob, he was more than ready to get rid of me."
I looked at the man across from me. "I know these things."
"Okay, Laila, I believe you. Maybe Frank Duvall's death had something to do with the investor. Are the cops looking at him?"
"I’m not sure how far along they are at this point.” I told Jacob about the stash of cash in Frank's closet. "That has to be kept between you and me. I think Jared and Frank were into something serious together and somehow Frank was paid off. I just don't know how or why."
"At this point, you need to let the cops do their job. It all sounds too dangerous for you to get too deep in it all. After what you told me about the attack on you, I'm surprised you weren't badly hurt."
I knew Jacob was in his protective mode and I let it go. We cleaned up the remains of the Chinese dinner.
"And did you tell anyone you were going down to that seedy part of town?"
"I didn't expect to be attacked or I would have. I'll do that if I go back."
Jacob muttered something under his breath. I didn't ask him to repeat it. Instead, I put on a fresh pot of coffee. We both reached for our coats when Thor demanded to go out and play.
"That dog knows how to work you, Laila," said Jacob.
"Me?" I said, "What about you? He knows all he has to do is look at you and you throw him a treat."
Thor was just happy to have two of his best buddies play with him in the snow. Jacob and I were ready for a hot cup of coffee. When we came back inside, we filled our cups. My doorbell rang. Jacob offered to see who it was. I came up behind Jacob and didn't see anyone there.
"Who was that?" I asked.
"I don't know. He took one look at me and ran."
I looked out the door into the snowy night. No one was in sight. I saw Jacob's SUV parked to the right of my car in the shadows. Whoever came to the door must have thought I was alone. "What did he look like?" I asked.
"He was tall and had a stocking cap. What little I could see, his hair was dark. I should have turned the porch light on before I opened the door. Laila, when I leave, I want you to make sure your double locks are on. I'm sure it was just someone who got the wrong place."
I didn't say it, but I was sure whoever it was had come to the right place. Several people came to mind as a choice of who had been at my door.
Chapter Twenty One
The next morning when I entered West River Bank, I walked right past Sharon toward Jared's office. I felt her eyes on me until I turned the corner to the investor's office. His door was halfway open and I saw him at his computer. I tapped lightly on the door. His facial expressions were those of rippling thin lines when he saw who it was. I didn't wait for him to invite me in. I had to get this over with before I weakened.
"Hello again, Jared," I said. "Don't worry. I won't take up too much of your time."
He swiveled around to face me directly. He didn't invite me to sit down and I remained standing. This wasn't going to be a long meeting.
"What do you want from me this time?" he said.
"I want you to tell me again that you had no idea Frank was an investor with you at this bank. In other words, you lied to me when I was here before."
"I don't owe you any private information about past or present clients."
"Just a heads up for you, Jared. It's either me or the cops. Either way you'll have to give up information when it comes to Frank Duvall."
Suddenly my legs weakened and I grasped the back of the empty chair in front of me. There was that scent again.
"Okay, so he did invest some money here. What does that have to do with anything?" Jared's mouth stayed in a thin line.
I didn't trust myself longer. "That's all I wanted to know. Thank you." I turned to go. I had to see Chief Hayes right away. I would be lucky to stay upright all the way to my car. Jared Freedman smelled like my attacker. It was the same strong odor that was left that day at the Post Office, too. I didn't wait to ask him if he was the one who appeared at my door the night before.
By the time I got to the precinct, my legs had stopped shaking. I took several deeps breaths and walked in. Chief Hayes came in from an opposite door. He shook snow off his coat and stomped his feet on the doormat.
