Page 68 of Last Date
They are in a relationship, after all.
I needed to remember that. Whatever Merrick was up to with me, he apparently was still seeing Peter. I didn’t want to read too much into this lunch.
When Merrick’s phone rang, he grimaced. “Sorry.” He gave an apologetic smile as he answered it. “Captain Dawson speaking.” He listened for a few moments, and then he widened his eyes. “Seriously?”
I watched him, straining to hear what the person on the other end was saying but failing miserably.
“I’ll be right there.” He hung up and grabbed his wallet out of his back pocket.
“Did something happen?” I asked.
He nodded. “Guess who just got caught stealing morphine at the Golden Sunrise Nursing Home?” He slid out of the booth, tossing down sixty dollars for a lunch that probably totaled thirty at most.
“Who?” I asked, following him clumsily from the booth.
He glanced around and said softly, “Bob Tiegerman.”
Chapter Eleven
I assumed Merrick would drop me off at my business, but for whatever reason, he didn’t. He brought me with him to the station. I suppose I could have suggested he take me back to work, but I was dying of curiosity, so I didn’t make a peep.
When we arrived at the station, Merrick met with the uniformed officer who’d made the arrest and the director of Golden Sunrise Nursing Home, Rachel Holsten, in the hallway.
“He came in to get signatures for that petition against the Ascot apartment project,” Ms. Holsten said. “I didn’t see any harm in letting him gather signatures. He comes in all the time trying to drum up support for his causes. But this time, one of my nurses saw him take two separate patients’ morphine capsules. He just grabbed the cups when he thought no one was looking and dumped the pills into his pocket.”
Merrick nodded and addressed his officer, “And you found the pills in his pocket?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ms. Holsten sighed. “Of course, he tried to say it was just an accident, but how do morphine pills just accidently end up in your sweater vest pocket?”
The elevator down the hall dinged, and a harassed-looking Detective Bergen emerged. He headed straight for Merrick, and when he noticed me, he scowled. Thankfully, he didn’t address me, and I certainly ignored him.
Merrick glanced at him distractedly. “You heard the news?”
“Yes.” Detective Bergen sounded breathless. “Is this the same Bob guy who was at the marina when Allister was poisoned?”
“Yes,” Merrick said.
Rubbing his hands together, Detective Bergen crowed, “Then we have our killer?”
“Now, slow down.” Merrick’s tone was patient. “We don’t know that yet.”
“But it’s gotta be him, right? I mean, he was right there the night of the murder.” Detective Bergen laughed. “This is a stroke of good luck. This is the break I’ve been hoping for.”
Ms. Holsten widened her eyes. “You think Bob was the person who—” She looked horrified. “No, surely that can’t be true.”
Detective Bergen gave her an impatient glance. “Who are you?”
“Ms. Holsten is the director at the Golden Sunrise Nursing Home,” Merrick said.
“That’s right.” Ms. Holsten nodded. “I’ve known Bob a long time. I realize he’s got himself into hot water stealing that morphine, but I simply find it inconceivable that he would harm Allister Green.”
“What would you know about it? Are you an expert?” Detective Bergen grunted. “Killers come in all shapes and sizes.”
“Butwhywould Bob kill Allister Green?” Ms. Holsten frowned.
“Well, my guess is because he was enraged by Allister ramrodding that apartment complex deal through the city council. He’d already been stalking Allister and harassing him. He probably crept onto that yacht and put the poison in the champagne.”
