Tires screeched and ground into the cement.
My heart was in my throat. The truck had stopped inches from me.
I took as deep a breath as I could, with Galigani on top of me.
I tried again to push him off me. I could see boots approaching. Two pairs.
The men in the boots rolled Galigani off me. I gasped for air. One gave Galigani CPR. The other bent over me. I tried to get up. He restrained my shoulders with his hands.
“Lie still, ma’am,” he said, hovering over me. His breath smelled like mint. His brown eyes searched my face.
“I’m fine.”
“Even so, just give me a minute.” He wrapped his fingers under my head and gave me a gentle head massage. “Just looking for any abnormalities.”
“I’ve often thought my head should be examined for abnormalities.”
He smiled. “From the fall. You don’t seem to have any.”
I refrained from telling him where I’d landed, lest he want to check my ass for any abnormalities. He helped me to my feet. I glanced over at Galigani. No blood. His shirt was soaked through with sweat. What could have happened?
Another car approached.
A police cruiser.
Inspector McNearny lurched out of the car and approached the firefighter who’d been helping me. They discussed something in hushed tones. The other firefighter continued to give Galigani CPR.
I stepped forward to see how Galigani was progressing and hell, I’ll admit it, to try and eavesdrop on McNearny. My foot kicked something on the ground.
Galigani’s notebook!
Without taking my eyes off McNearny, I quickly scooped it up and slipped it into my back pocket.
After a moment, McNearny broke away and approached me.
“What a coincidence,” I said in my best sarcastic tone.
“No coincidence, Mrs. Connolly. I already told you I don’t believe in those. I requested the dispatch office alert me regarding any calls from your residence, especially after your 9-1-1 fiasco the other night. You remember, your husband broke into his own house.”
Jerk.
“How nice. I feel much safer now.” I smiled my best smart-ass smile.
He indicated the abandoned broom, which now lay near the front tires of Galigani’s Honda. “What happened? Did you sweep him to death?”
“I found his car parked here. He was slumped over the steering wheel. The broom was to assist me with the rescue attempt.”
McNearny glared at me. “How?”
“I thought I might have to break a window to get him out of the car.”
“Do you know him? Is he your friend, too?”
I bit my lip. I felt a lie bubbling up. What good would it do? When had I become a liar anyway?
“He’s a PI. His name’s Galigani.”
“He’s my friend,” McNearny said, his eyes settling onto mine. The animosity between us seemed to dissipate.
An ambulance arrived. The firefighters put Galigani onto a stretcher.
“Is he alive?” I asked.
“Barely,” one paramedic responded.
We watched the ambulance screech off, sirens screaming.
“Former cop,” McNearny said. “He was my first partner when I joined the force fourteen years ago. I need to follow them to the hospital. Try and stay out of trouble.”
As soon as Mom left, I lay down on the couch and snuggled Laurie, her little breaths warming my arm. I rubbed her tummy and she made a soft “ah” sound.
My thoughts drifted to Galigani. Was this an attempt at murder? Would he survive? I felt chilled and scared. I double-checked the locks on the doors and windows and returned to my position on the couch, bringing along a throw blanket.
Then I picked up his notebook and devoured it.
• Brad Avery, recovered pier 23 on Sept 19. Body decomposed, coroner puts date of death on or around June 15. Cause of death, bullet wound to the head. 9mm Luger. Survived by G. Avery (mother), S. Avery (ex-wife), and M. Avery (wife).
• Last seen by M. Avery June 15. On the record, reported fight with B. Avery, due to extramarital affair. Unable to locate party who’d been having an affair with B. Avery.
• G. Connolly bags recovered on Sept 19 at pier 23. Last known address—1482 Rivera (March 9), evicted by Sheriff for wielding chainsaw at property owner Roger Connolly. Unable to locate G. Connolly. Connection to B. Avery?
• M. Avery found dead on October 3, by K. Connolly (high school friend). Appears to have alibi for June 15. No apparent motive.
• M. Avery survived by KelliAnn Dupree (half sister) last known address—1878 Haight Street, Apt 304. Cause of death, overdose of diazepam in combination with alcohol. Suicide?
• Interview scheduled October 8: Kiku Ajari 1:00 pm.
Tucked in the back of his notebook was a list of possible gun manufacturers that matched the rifling on the 9mm luger bullet recovered. I examined the list. The only manufacturers I had heard of were Berretta and Smith and Wesson. I’d need to ask Jim about it. Growing up with a father from Montana who’d introduced Jim to hunting, he understood more about guns than I did.