“What was Jeff like to work with?” Dan changed lanes.
Amy stared at him. “The police already asked me that at the time. Isn’t it in your notes or report or something?”
“Yes, it is,” Dan confirmed. He looked her in the eye. “But we’re askingnow.”
He didn’t expect to hear anything more than what they already knew, which included Amy stressing that she didn’t really work with Jeff before gushing about what a great guy he was.
But now there was the small matter of sperm to clear up.
“Did you know him well enough to tell us if Jeff was straight, bi, gay?”
That earned him another blink. “I think he was gay or bi. I can’t be sure which. We weren’tthatclose. Maybe if you ask some of his close coworkers?”
Gary closed his notebook. “I think that’ll be all—for now.”
“Well, sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” Amy was on her feet and out the door before Gary had time to fetch a uniformed officer to see her from the building.
Riley chuckled. “Okay, that was fun. She is one nervous lady.”
“She’s also lying through her teeth,” Dan remarked.
Gary snorted. “You picked up on that, did you?”
Dan stood. “Before we interview Jennifer Sullivan, there’s something I’d like to do. Can we go to that restaurant? I want to know more about that night.”
“What makes you think they’ll remember it?” Gary asked. “It was a year ago, remember?”
“I guarantee someone will.” Dan gave him a grim smile. “That’s the MO, isn’t it? These four make sure they stand out, whether it’s a boat trip, a concert…. So here’s my bet. Dinner’s on me for both of you if no one at that restaurant remembers any of them.”
Riley pulled a face. “So that’sanotherbet I’m gonna lose.” He glanced at Dan. “Nice question, by the way, about whetherhe was gay or bi or whatever. So him being with a guy in that apartment isn’t such a mystery now.”
“Except we’re no closer to knowing the identity of our sperm donor,” Gary complained. “Whoever he is, he isn’t in the system.”
Dan huffed. “Of course he isn’t. This is someone who likes keeping to the shadows.”
And if I have to go hunting in the shadows for him, then that’s what I’ll do.
Chapter Forty-Four
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Lucca
IT WASthe kind of restaurant Gary would make a mental note of in order to surprise Dan one evening with a romantic meal for two.
God knows we haven’t had many of those.
Riley had done his research. Lucca opened in 2000 and seemed to be going strong. He’d also called ahead, which was probably why a guy in a suit was heading their way. He had the look of a restaurant manager.
“Is one of you Detective Watson?” There was a trace of an Italian accent, which made Gary even more determined to see if the food was as good as the enticing aromas that wafted through the kitchen door.
“Fabrizio Tupi?” Gary read aloud from his notes. “I’m Detective Mitchell.” He did the other introductions. “We’d like to talk to any of your servers who were working here January of last year.”
Mr. Tupi stroked his chin. “Let me see. We have a lot of staff who come and go, but there are two who’ve been with us since we opened.” He raised his voice. “Angelo?Viene qui.”
Angelo appeared to be in his late forties, with a shock of black hair. “Is there a problem?”