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Chapter 80

I couldn’t believehow clearly I could see both women through the main window of the Dunkin’ Donuts. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could see the animated expression of Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg. If they weren’t arguing, it was a deep, earnest discussion.

All I needed was for them to talk long enough to finish their coffees and leave the cups on the table. I still hadn’t worked out exactly how I’d recover the right cups if they threw them in the trash. Sometimes you have to improvise.

Surveillance is a tough gig. It tends to be more of a narcotics activity. Following people around. Trying to catch them in the tiny window when they actually commit a crime.

There’s not too much surveillance when you work homicide. Narcotics cops at the NYPD call it “the unparallel universe,” because they are always amazed at how no one ever notices surveillance teams. While half a dozen cops might be focusing on one criminal as he sits at a café, everyone around that criminal has no idea about the surveillance. I used to think it was because people are not particularly observant. Now I prefer to think of it as the cops doing surveillance are particularly effective.

By most standards, this was not much of a surveillance. Clearly, seeing two women talking in a nearly empty Dunkin’ Donuts is not that big of a challenge. I leaned back in the front seat of the Prius and made a few notes about the time and place. If I did recover DNA and it proved useful, I’d have to be able to explain exactly when and where I had retrieved the sample.

I watched the subtle signs of their discussion. It seemed that Rhea was doing most of the talking. She was also more upset than Ms. Banks. Rhea scooted her chair a little closer during the discussion.

I took a quick look around the rest of the Dunkin’ Donuts. There were two bored baristas, absently wiping down the counter to fill time. Another couple who had been sitting a table away were just throwing their trash in the garbage can on their way out the front door.

That left two other people in the Dunkin’ Donuts. I wouldn’t be going inside until after my two suspects left, but I still wanted to know who or what might be waiting for me. It never paid to be surprised while working on an investigation.

It looked like the conversation was wrapping up. I pulled my seat back to a completely upright position. Both the women were standing now, and Ms. Banks kept shaking her head.

I watched with interest as Ms. Banks took a sip of her coffee, then turned on her heel and marched out of the Dunkin’ Donuts. Unfortunately, she took her coffee with her.

I sat in my little car and watched in complete disappointment as Beth Banks raced away in her BMW.

I looked back toward the Dunkin’ Donuts just as Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg was opening the front door. Dammit, I could be distracted too easily. My eyes darted back to the table that she had been sitting at with her sister-in-law. Her cup was still sitting on the table in front of the chair she’d used.

I started to grin. Completing part of the task was better than not completing any of it. I’d have to resume my surveillance of Beth Banks later.

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