Page 7 of Witness To Murder
“I hope you will contact me if you recall anything else I might need to know.”
She followed him to the door, the urge to shake him and somehow make him understand that she was innocent in this a pulsing urge in her body.
Lambert hesitated at the door. “Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?”
She thought of the car. “Yes.” She moistened her lips. “There’s been a black sedan across the street since last night. There’s a man—I think it’s a man—inside. I feel like he might be watching me” She shrugged. “I can’t help wondering if perhaps I’m in danger.”
Concern or something like it materialized in his expression. “Show me the car you mean.”
She led the way back to the window and surveyed the street. Frustration sagged her shoulders. The car was gone. “I guess he left.”
“Perhaps it was one of ours,” he suggested. “We had someone keeping an eye on your apartment the first eight or so hours after you left the restaurant, but not since. It’s not impossible there was a miscommunication on the time frame. Still, if you notice anything that makes you feel threatened, call me.” He hesitated. “You make a good point about the wife maybe hiring someone to get rid of her husband.”
Hope dared to sprout. “Yes,” she said with a nod. “It happens in the movies all the time.”
“Maybe she hired you to play the part of witness to his murder.”
Her jaw dropped, but any potential rebuttal flew out of her head.
With that blatant accusation, he walked away. This time when he reached the door, he opened it and left, calling out agood dayover his shoulder.
She hurried across the room, locked the door and sagged against it. She was in serious trouble here. Somehow she hadbelieved this would sort itself out, but that wasn’t happening. At this point, she would be a real fool not to recognize it was only getting worse. What she needed was an attorney. No, Leah decided… What she needed was someone who could help her figure this out. Maybe even help her find the person responsible for this nightmare.
A private investigator. A good one. A really, really good one.
The Colby Agency, 2:00 p.m.
“MS. GERARD.”
Leah jerked to attention. She’d been a million miles away. “Yes.” She stood and produced a smile for the young woman who had called her name. Blond hair, blue eyes, very well put together. Professional pale blue suit.
“I’m Jamie Colby.” She extended her hand.
Leah shook her hand, then suffered a fleeting doubt considering how very young the woman appeared to be. Maybe she was an assistant? “Thank you for making time to see me.” Leah was so, so grateful to be able to get an appointment today—even if only with an assistant.
“Of course.” Jamie gestured to the corridor beyond the lobby. “Walk with me to my office, and we’ll figure this out.”
Leah strode alongside the other woman as she led the way down a carpeted corridor flanked by doors on either side. The decor was surprisingly elegant—more so than Leah had expected, even though the agency was listed as the top in the business. Somehow the idea of a PI always made her think of shabby offices on the seedy side of town. This was a seriously upscale area and a prestigious building.
Jamie’s office was spacious and filled with light. A large window looked out over the street. Maybe not an assistant. Therealization that her last name was Colby struck Leah just then. Probably…definitely not an assistant.
After the offer of refreshments, they settled at a small conference table on one side of the well-appointed room.
“You mentioned the Douglas case,” Jamie said, kicking off the meeting. “I reached out to my contact at Chicago PD and learned that Detective Anthony Lambert has that one. He has a very good reputation and will go to great lengths to solve the matter.”
Leah nodded. “I read about him on the internet. The trouble is, he’s so focused on me it feels like he isn’t looking at anyone else.”
“You are listed as a person of interest,” Jamie agreed. “But that’s not unusual. Oftentimes an investigation will include a good many persons of interest, and that list will get whittled down as the investigator moves forward, gathering information and evidence.” She smiled reassuringly. “It’s not personal, just part of the process. So, why don’t you walk me through how you’re involved?”
Leah didn’t hesitate. She launched into the unnerving story, taking care not to leave out a single detail. If this agency was going to help her, she had to ensure they knew everything. It certainly sounded as if they had all the right contacts. Just further proof of the caliber of investigators on staff. In light of Lambert’s visit that morning, Leah went ahead and shared the details about Chris Painter. Though her distant past couldn’t possibly have anything to do with this case, Lambert seemed to think otherwise or wanted to give that impression. She was here for help. No one could help her without all the necessary details—even the ugly ones that seemed irrelevant.
“I appreciate your thoroughness,” Jamie said. “Based on the situation as we know it at this time, I feel that investigator Owen Walker would be an excellent fit for your case. I’ve spoken withhim at length, so he’s aware of the situation. I’d like to introduce you and let the two of you talk, if you’re ready to move forward.”
Leah nodded. “Yes, please.”
She had been informed of the retainer fee and costs during her initial call. As much as Leah hated to part with any of her savings, she had a feeling this was necessary to her survival of whatever was coming. If she’d had any doubts, seeing that black sedan parked outside her building again when she left for this appointment had sealed her decision.
Jamie used the phone on her desk to summon the investigator. Half a minute later the door opened, and he joined the meeting.
