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“Thank you, Del.” He disconnected, then looked at his team. “Anything else?”
Lewis nodded. “I spent the morning contacting guys who’ve hooked up with Dalmont. I managed to interview three of them, and I took statements.”
Gary smiled. “Judging by that grin, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you found something.”
“Oh yeah. A couple of them told me something very illuminating.”
The door opened, and an officer entered. “There’s a visitor for you. Says he’s Robin Fields’s ex. He also says it’s important. I put him in Interview Room One.”
“I’ll be right there.” When the officer withdrew, Gary grabbed a notepad from the table. “Two things. Log everything you’ve got so far. And can one of you call Dalmont and invite him to come talk to us? Make sure he knows he’s free to leave when we’re done. We don’t want to rattle him. Just tell him we want him to make a statement for our records.”
“I’m on it.” Riley’s eyes sparkled. “It’ll be a pleasure.”
Gary left them and headed for the interview room. It was the most casual of the rooms, usually used with witnesses and relatives. He opened the door, and a tall good-looking man lifted himself out of his chair.
Gary held out his hand. “Detective Mitchell. You wanted to see me?”
The man nodded. “My name is Simon Westfall. Robin Fields and I were in a relationship for ten years. I’m here to ask how your investigations are progressing. Are you any closer to catching his killer?”
Gary gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit.” He waited until Mr. Westfall had done so before taking a seat. “You must understand, I can’t divulge information about an ongoing case.”
“Then is there any help I can giveyouthat would bring you closer to catching him?”
Gary studied him. Simon Westfall was maybe in his late forties, early fifties. He wore his almost-white hair cropped close to his head, and there was a distinguished air about him. “Can I ask a personal question? Why did your relationship with Mr. Fields end?”
Mr. Westfall sighed. “Three years ago, he had a late midlife crisis. In other words, his head was turned by a newer model.”
“Quinn Dalmont?”
He nodded. “He was twenty-nine to Robin’s forty-six years. He was pretty, lithe, and he swept Robin off his feet. Robin said Quinn made him feel young again.” He swallowed. “Why do some men want to live forever?”
“Was it an amicable parting?”
“Yes. We stayed friends, for which I’m grateful.” A faint smile creased his features. “Ten years is a long time in gay years. Too long to simply break completely with each other. We’d meet for dinner occasionally, and we’d go to the theater and to concerts, something that wasn’t to Quinn’s taste.” He straightened. “But enough about my successor. I’m here because of something I read in the newspapers.” He paused. “Robin’s death has been linked—in the media, at any rate—to the spate of murders of gay men.”
Gary didn’t comment.
“Some mention was made of… drugs found at the scene. Now I have no idea how accurate this information is, but I had to see you.” He set his jaw. “Robin would never,nevertake drugs.”
“Forgive me for another personal question, but I have to ask it. What about during sex?”
Mr. Westfall shook his head. “Never. He abhorred the use of drugs of any description. It was all I could do to get him to take Tylenol for pain relief.”
“Maybe he changed during the last three years,” Gary suggested.
Another vehement shake of his head. “No. His horror of drugs was rooted deep in his past. I’m not going to divulge his family history, but I can assure you, there is no way on this earth he’d participate in drug use. If you did find such substances in the apartment, the killer brought them with him.” His voice was firm, but the pain in Mr. Westfall’s eyes was all too apparent.
“Thank you for coming in to clarify that. Was there anything else?”
“No, that was all.” Mr. Westfall rose with grace. “And now I’ll let you get back to finding Robin’s murderer.”
Gary shook his hand. “We will, I can assure you of that.” He met Mr. Westfall’s gaze. “And youhavehelped.” He’d provided another piece of the puzzle.
It could also prove to be another nail in Dalmont’s coffin.
“THANK YOUagain for coming in to make a statement.” Gary glanced at the neatly written document Dalmont had signed.
Dalmont waved his hand. “It was no problem. I hope and pray you’re getting somewhere with your investigations.”
