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“I did not know that,” I said.
“That’s because everyone secretly knows most meetings are a colossal waste of time and can be done from the comfort of your computer screen at home,” Lily chimed in.
“My mother does that,” Sheldon said. “She thinks it’s funny that no one knows she’s not wearing pants.”
I ducked my head to hide my smile. Cops were knocking on every door in the building to see if someone could tell them if they’d heard a shot fired or seen anyone with Steven Machilenski. The forensic techs were combing the room, and Jack was in the parking lot searching for Steven’s car.
“I’m finished with my cursory report and I have all the photographs I need,” I told Lily. “You guys are good to transport him back to the funeral home. As soon as I’m done with Kirby I’ll be in and we can start on the autopsies.”
“Umm…” Sheldon said, raising his hand. “We have a guest coming in this afternoon as well. Edna Dryer. Her daughter said she wants the full package.”
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “I knew Edna. She’s from Bloody Mary. I went to school with her granddaughter. Edna used to run all the bake sales at the Methodist church. She’d always give us a piece of coffee cake when we’d ride by on our bikes. I don’t know how the church made any money.”
“That’s sweet,” Lily said. “She’s not supposed to arrive until sometime after two, so we should be through with Pickering before she arrives.”
I nodded and said, “Sheldon can take point on Edna. I want to get these autopsies out of the way. We’re closing in on the right person. I can feel it. I’m going to head out and see if I can find Jack. I’m interested to see if Kirby knows any of our dead soldiers.”
I trusted Lily and Sheldon to get the body back to the funeral home, so I exited the hallway as fast as I could, my only focus to draw in fresh air and escape the stifling heat.
I met Jack on the way down the stairs.
“You’re in a hurry,” he said, turning around to follow me back down.
“I’ve had my fill of overheated corpse,” I said. “I notice you didn’t come back upstairs.”
“To give myself credit,” he said, smiling, “I was on my way back up to get you.”
“You should’ve taken Doug’s bet,” I told him, letting the cold air slap against my face. “I haven’t gotten a spot on me. I’m only a little wilted.”
“And as long as Kirby doesn’t get too close he won’t smell either one of us,” Jack said, making me wince.
“Well, hopefully it’ll be a short meeting,” I said.
“We found Steven’s car, but there was no weapon inside,” Jack said. “We did find a few loose rounds in his back seat. And guess what he drives?”
“A white sedan?” I guessed.
“Bingo.”
We got into the Tahoe, and I rolled down the window, still in need of fresh air. And maybe enough to air us both out.
“I also heard back from Cole,” Jack said. “Denaro told him the two thousand dollars were scholarships to help Kristina Hendricks and Eddie Lische with anything extra they needed for school or housing that the GI Bill didn’t cover. Martinez said that checked out with what Hendricks and Lische told him too.”
“So maybe Denaro isn’t involved,” I said thoughtfully.
The Big Over Easy was in the middle of King George Proper, not far from the university. Kirby had been right when he said it looked like one of those extreme outdoorsman stores. It was two stories of dark timber, river rock, and glass, and it was a popular hangout for kids from the college.
“Why am I nervous?” I asked.
“Maybe because he’s a horrible man who traffics young girls?”
“It’s weird,” I said. “I feel like I’m on a job interview. Maybe it’s the clothes.”
“And we’re only five minutes late.”
“Thirty-seven percent of all meetings start late,” I said, parroting Sheldon.
“Very helpful statistics for this situation,” Jack said. “Come on.”
