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“He was spending a lot of time with my little sister. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t a creep.”
The detective’s brow rose.
Theo told him about the man she’d seen leave Dan Murdoch’s house just before she’d found his body. Mendes called in a police artist, and they spent the next hour coming up with the portrait of an entirely average man with no scars, moustache, or big nose. She could describe the car but couldn’t even recall seeing a license plate. Mendes was clearly frustrated with her as a witness. “If I didn’t know better, Miss Benton, I’d suspect you didn’t want to help us find your friend’s killer.”
Gus intervened. “Fair go, George. Theo didn’t know he was anything other than a visitor when she saw him… She had no reason to pay any attention to him or memorize the license plate number.”
Detective Mendes called Gus aside then. They argued quietly so that all that Theo and the other officers could hear were strident murmurs. In the end, Mendes came back to the table and told Theo she could go, but that they would be in touch. He advised her not to speak to the press.
“Of course not,” Theo said, startled. It had never occurred to her to speak to the press.
As they walked back to Gus’s truck, she asked him about Mendes.
“I’ve worked with him on a couple of cases. He’s not a bad bloke, Theo. Just diligent. And a bit of a jerk to witnesses, by the looks of today’s interview.”
“I wish I could have been more useful.” Theo frowned. Why couldn’t she remember the man’s face more clearly? She couldn’t even picture him now.
“Some people are not good at faces.”
“But I’m supposed to be a writer. I describe characters all the time…but now, when it’s important, I can’t…”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t try. It may come back to you if you don’t force it.”
Gus took Theo back to the house and helped her find a leash for Horse. “Are they going to let you into Benders with him?” Gus asked.
“There are tables outside, remember? People bring their dogs all the time.”
“Let me show you something.” Gus called Horse to his side. “Danger!”
The hound placed itself in front of Gus, lowered his massive head, and snarled threateningly. Theo stepped back, alarmed. Gus grinned. “It’s okay, Horse. Relax.”
Immediately the snarl was replaced by what Theo had always fancied was a smile. The dog ambled over and licked her.
“Horse used to belong to a client.” Gus knelt to scratch his dog’s flabby jowls. “Poor old mutt wouldn’t know how to bite anyone, but she trained him to look as though he might.”
“Oh. Why did she give him to you?”
“I suppose she didn’t really give him to me. I’m just looking after him for a while.”
“How long is a while?”
Gus shrugged. “Twelve to fourteen.”
Theo clipped the leash to Horse’s collar. “You’d better go to work.”
Gus checked his watch. “Yes, I should.” He grabbed his briefcase and then turned back. “Promise me you’ll head home before it gets late—Horse is afraid of the dark.”
Theo smiled. “You have my word.” She shoved her brother fondly. “Thank you, Gus. For everything. I’m not sure what I would have done without you.”
He shoved her back. “You would have been all right.”
“You’re a liar.”
“That’s pronounced lawyer.” Gus opened the door. “Call me if you need anything.” He met her eye. “Anything. If you start to feel—”
“I’m okay, Gus.” She straightened to show him that she was. “I’m a grown-up now, remember?”
He nodded. “You are. I’m sorry if I still treat you like a kid sometimes, but after—”
