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“Hey, sheriff,” Jackson said. “We’re wrapping up statements. Maybe have a dozen or so left.”
I didn’t know Jackson well. I wasn’t even sure of his first name. He was one of the many cops I saw around the station from time to time, and one that kind of flew under the radar since Jack had never mentioned him working any particular cases. He was a tall, dark-skinned man with the kind of biceps and shoulders that filled out a shirt nicely.
“I’m looking for Bethany Wildes,” Jack said. “She was with the victim. Red dress. You seen her?”
“I know who you’re talking about,” Jackson said, nodding. “Hard not to. My girlfriend and I saw her come in. She took off that coat and I swear half the restaurant dropped their silverware when they saw that red dress. Or what there was of it. Anyway, I haven’t seen her. She’s not on my list. Martinez might have got to her first since she was with the vic.”
“Thanks, I’ll check with him,” Jack said. “You come here often?”
Jackson shrugged and said, “We’ve been a few times. My and Charlotte’s schedules don’t always line up too good. She’s a NICU nurse. Never noticed the girl or the victim before. But this seems to be a decent place. Owner has things under control and doesn’t let anything slip by.”
Jack nodded and Jackson went off to take his next statement.
“Paperwork on all this is going to suck,” I said.
“You can say that again,” Jack said. “Looks like Cole is finishing up.”
“Sheriff,” Cole said when we headed over. “This is Jasmine Taylor. She’s acquainted with the deceased.”
For whatever reason, Cole was using his country boy charm and his drawl was heavier than usual.
Jasmine was a pretty woman—not flashy like the woman in red—but in a classic, understated way. She had a heart-shaped face, the most beautiful caramel skin I’d ever seen, and stunning gray eyes. Her pixie haircut highlighted sharp cheekbones and a slender neck. She wore a black pantsuit that somehow looked sexy and professional. She’d chewed off her red lipstick and her matching nails were tapping impatiently on the table.
“I’ve already told everything I know to the detective here,” she said. “I’d really like to go home now. It’s been an emotional and trying day.”
“Miss Taylor is a junior partner at Mr. Sowers’ firm,” Cole said, sounding like a complete rube.
I almost laughed at the act. She must have gotten on Cole’s last nerve for him to go to these lengths to irritate her.
“Just tell the sheriff everything you told me,” Cole said.
“Why can’t he just read it in your report?” she said, coming to her feet. “I think if you’d like to ask me more questions you can do so at my office. You have my card.”
“Where’s Bethany Wildes?” Jack asked.
“Who?” Jasmine asked coolly.
Jack smiled. “The woman in the red dress your boss was molesting at the table. Her name is Bethany Wildes. But you know that, so let’s move past all of our irritations and just get this done so we can go home.”
She narrowed her eyes at Jack and stared at him thoughtfully for a minute. “I don’t know where she is. It’s only the second time I’ve met her. I think she lives around here somewhere. Within walking distance.”
“Was your boss in the military? Or have any clients that are former military?”
“I wouldn’t know,” she said. “We all have our own caseloads. You’d be better off checking with David’s secretary.”
“You don’t seem overly grieved about your friend’s death,” Jack said.
“Boss,” she corrected. “He always invited several of us to meet here on Fridays. And it wasn’t just a request. David liked to feel important.” She shrugged. “But I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and I’ve learned to do whatever you have to do to keep things running smoothly and the money coming in.”
“What about cocaine?” Jack asked.
“I don’t use drugs,” she said.
“But your boss did,” Jack said. “Probably a thousand-dollar-a-day habit. Where’d he find Bethany Wildes?”
I could tell she was thrown off guard by the change in direction of the questions.
“Who knows,” she said. “Wherever men like David pick up teenagers. He liked them young and goes through them like Kleenex. He would’ve found another in a couple of weeks to replace her. He always did.”
