Page 32 of Last Date
“Meaning what?” I asked.
“Just that he’d get tired of being used. Sometimes he’d get angry at people for trying to scam him out of money. People treated him like he was nothing but an ATM machine.” She twisted the tissue between her fingers. “He was extremely generous, but he had his limits.”
“Can you think of anyone he turned down recently who might have been angry about that?”
“I think we should wait and let the police ask these kinds of questions,” Captain Roscoe interjected, looking annoyed.
I sighed. “I guess I find it hard to just sit still.”
Selena nodded. “I don’t mind. It’s better than doing nothing.”
“Still,” muttered Captain Roscoe. “These things are best left to the professionals.”
“It doesn’t hurt to talk,” I said. “It’s not like the police told us not to.”
We fell silent for a few moments, and I was frustrated that Selena had apparently decided to clam up. But then she straightened and said, “Allister did have an argument with someone on the phone a few days ago.”
“Really?” I perked up.
Captain Roscoe gave an exasperated sigh.
“Do you know what the argument was about?”
“Not exactly,” she murmured. “The only reason I even overheard his conversation was because we were in his car.” She cleared her throat. “I tried not to listen in to give him privacy, but part of the conversation did stand out.”
“What part?” I asked.
“I don’t know what it was in relation to, but he said… he wasn’t going to simply sit back and be robbed.” She wrinkled her brow. “He said he knew that the item was a fake and he didn’t want it around. Something like that. I might be mixing up the words, but that was the gist of it.”
“Hmmm.” I frowned.
“That could have been about something completely innocuous.” Captain Roscoe waved his hand dismissively. “Knowing Allister, he was bartering with someone over a painting. He loved acquiring unique pieces of art.”
“I don’t know, it seemed more personal,” Selena said softly. “But… whatever it was, he didn’t want it in his house. He flat out said so.”
Shooting her a warning look, Captain Roscoe said, “Selena is upset. She’s probably getting everything jumbled.”
“Maybe.” I didn’t think Selena was just upset. Yes, she was distraught. But she had definitely overheard Allister arguing with someone on the phone. Captain Roscoe was uncomfortable with me digging deeper. Why was that?
Selena’s eyes widened. “You don’t suppose Elon’s kidnappers came back for revenge, do you?”
“No.” Captain Roscoe shook his head. “Why would they go after Allister?”
“True.” Selena nodded.
“Besides,” Captain Roscoe continued, “the FBI are hot on their trail. My guess is they’re probably out of the country by now.”
“Still,” I began, “if it turns out this wasn’t an accidental… death… the police will no doubt examine that angle.” I met Captain Roscoe’s gaze. “And they should too. If Allister’s death was intentional, the proximity of it to Elon’s return is something to think about.”
Selena pressed her fingers to her temple. “This is all too much. I can’t believe this is happening. I just can’t.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“It’s okay. If someone hurt Allister, they’ll be caught. We’ll tell the police everything we know.” Captain Roscoe’s voice was soothing as he put his arm around her. “There’s no need to try and work it out ourselves. We’ll let the experts handle things, right, love?”
She blinked at him and then nodded. “Yes, Father.”
Surprise rolled through me. Selena was his daughter? Now it made sense why she’d been so relaxed about seeking comfort from him and why he was extremely protective of her. She was his flesh and blood, and he wanted her to stay as far away from this investigation as possible. I guess I couldn’t blame him.
The outside door opened, and a thirty-something guy in a rumpled suit stepped into the room. He ran a hand over his wind-ruffled hair, his light eyes scanning us with a detached coolness. “Homicide Detective Bergen.” He flashed his badge so fast, he could have been showing us his gym membership.
