Page 43 of Lucifer's Revenge
“Yes. I brought a copy of her application from the library. Don’t worry, I got permission from the district office to do this. I explained the situation to them, and they said as long as I only had a copy, and used it as comparison, then I should be fine.”
“I don’t understand.”
Lilith flipped open her folder and pointed to the application from when Sally applied to work at the library over five years ago, then pointed to the one Lucius had for his files. “Let’s compare,” she said and they went over line by line. The name was different, but the address was the same.
“Why did she say she had a five year gap in her employment?” Lilith asked at one time, because the only thing missing on both of the applications was Sally’s time at the library.
“She said she took care of her mother before she passed.”
“Wrong, Sally’s mother is alive and well living in Flagstaff, AZ. I called her two days ago. I’m assuming here, but I bet that five year gap is because that’s when she worked at the library.”
“Why would she lie?”
“I have my suspicions. Can I continue?”
“Please do.”
“When I saw Sally here, I had only one thought, she’s never talked to me since the day of our first date, months ago. I never told anyone this, but after the hearing with the unemploymentoffice, she caught up with me outside. She subtly threatened me.”
“How?”
“She said that she didn’t know how, or when, but she would get me back for lying about her losing her job and being unable to collect unemployment. Everything she was going through was my fault, and she would get me back for it.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah, well, I have a customer that comes into the library regularly. Like every three days, like clockwork. I asked him once why he doesn’t get a Kindle and download his books, and he always says why, when he can come to the library and get them for free.”
“That makes sense. Who is this guy?”
“A retired private investigator. I briefly explained what I saw, Ann behind your bar, and gave him her information. He followed her. Before I show you the pictures he took, there’s one more thing I want to point out to you on both applications, to prove that your Ann is my Sally.”
“What’s that?”
“Look at her banking information for direct deposit. Same routing number, same account number. Look at the photo of her license and social security card. Same numbers, same address, same photos.”
Lucius studied the documents and swore. Lilith laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. “These are the photos Richard took. I only know Sally in them, I don’t know the other people.” She flipped them over and instead of looking at them, she studied Lucius as he did. By the third photo, he was on his feet swearing up a blue streak.
“What is it?” Lilith asked in concern.
“This,” he said as he pointed to the photo of another woman entering Sally’s apartment, and at another time, the two womenand one man sat together at a coffee shop. “This is Brenda Smith. I have no clue who the guy is though.”
“Brenda Smith as in the woman that worked for Starr, but asked questions about you?”
“Yes.” He shook his head, and because his new office was bigger than the previous one, he was able to pace. As he paced, Lilith speculated out loud.
“I can understand why Sally slash Ann would want to get back at me, and why Brenda would want to do something to you, but why would Brenda want to come after me? Why would Sally plant herself inyourbusiness to get to you? I don’t understand it.”
“I do,” Luc said as he stopped and looked directly at her. “Brenda wants to date me, she even went so far as to tell the ladies of the club that when I start dating her, then she will be the first lady, and they will be catering to her every whim.”
“That’s not how the club works.”
“I know that, and you know that, but she doesn’t. That day I met her she acted entitled and extremely offended when I told her I was going on a date. That was our first date at the café. I never really saw her after that. She somehow got my schedule and made sure she did what she did behind my back, and while I wasn’t even here.”
“Sneaky.”
“Yes, and underhanded in my book.”
“I know I shouldn’t ask this, but are you mad at me for keeping this from you? Then hiring Richard to get these photos?”
