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“That seems like a hell of a lot of work,” Yancey said. “Taking everything to Philadelphia.”
“It is,” Cohen agreed. “My boss is concerned-and so am I-about preserving the chain of evidence. We’ve got three jurisdictions here. Philadelphia; Daphne-Baldwin County; and because the truck is in Mobile, Alabama-Mobile County. But I think it’s under control. Legally, the search will be executed by the Mobile police, using the search warrant the Mobile County judge issued. Matt and I-and to cover all the bases, Mutt and Jeff, too-will be there. And if you can send somebody-”
“I think Sergeant Kenny and I can find time to be there,” Yancey interjected.
“Then any of us, or all of us, can testify under oath that Philadelphia police and Daphne police witnessed the search- and had control of the evidence-from the time the Mobile police exercised their search warrant-and put Daniels’s keys in the locks.”
“Kenny and I will be there,” Yancey repeated, and then asked, “How are you going to get him to Philadelphia?”
“That’s yet to be determined,” Washington said. “I have given Sergeant Payne a list of other people from whom he and Detective D’Amata should take statements, which should keep them gainfully occupied for the next day or two. Detective Lassiter and I have reservations for a flight leaving Mobile at one-fifteen tomorrow afternoon. That may or may not provide time for me to speak with Detective D’Amata…”
“I’m going back tomorrow?” Olivia asked.
“At one-fifteen,” Washington said.
She was obviously surprised at the announcement. So was Matt. But when he looked at her, there was no mistaking what the coldly furious glint in her eyes meant.
She thinks I knew all about it. Hell, she thinks I asked Washington to send her home.
“… but inasmuch as Mr. Cohen and Detective D’Amata will have three hours together in a car coming back here, I don’t see that as a problem. Do you, Sergeant Payne?”
“No, sir.”
“In that case, our business having been completed, you may summon a waiter and you and Steve can begin to drink yourselves into oblivion.”
“If that’s all, sir, may I be excused?” Olivia asked.
“Olivia, I hope you understand that was an attempt at humor. We’re going to have a very few drinks, and then dinner.”
“I have a headache, sir.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, thank you. I just don’t feel-”
“I understand,” Washington said, as, ever the gentleman, he rose to his feet. “I’m sure you’ll feel better by morning.”
“Would you like me to take you to the motel, Olivia?” Matt asked.
“I’ll get a cab, thank you just the same.”
“I don’t know if they have cabs,” Matt said.
And really hope they don’t.
“We have the next best thing,” Chief Yancey said. “Kenny?”
Kenny spoke to the microphone pinned to his shirt.
“Barbara-Anne, send whichever car is closest to the Grand Hotel to give Detective Lassiter a ride to her motel. She’ll be outside the front door.”
“Thank you very much,” Detective Lassiter said.
They watched her walk out of the Bird Cage Lounge.
“Didn’t want to ride with you, huh?” Mickey O’Hara asked. “Is that what they call ‘a lover’s quarrel’?”
“Go to hell, Mickey,” Matt snapped.
