Loving Again(65)

                “If she ID’s him, that puts her in danger until we have him in custody. You have his prints on the kiln and on that glass. Why do you need her?” Sam asked.

                Angel hesitated, as if still not sure he should be letting Sam back in. Finally he said, “There are too many holes in the case.” He ticked them off. “No motive. The only good ID we have is Leo Wilson’s and that puts Matthews in the neighborhood along with anyone who works in the Fred Meyer corporate headquarters and the other neighbors. We can’t ID the Toyota as his. No car is registered in his name.” Angel came out from behind his desk and perched on the edge of it in front of Sam as he continued.

                “He could tell us he left the prints on Kane’s glass and at Bullseye some other time and we couldn’t dispute it. If Amanda St. Claire can place him there at the right time that night, can connect the dots about the car, we’re on more solid ground.”

                “Okay, okay, I get it.” Sam looked up at the ceiling, closed his eyes, shook his head, then looked at his boss. “This isn’t how I wanted back in, L.T.”

                “It’s the best you’re gonna get from me at the moment. I need her cooperation. I have to use you.”

                “Not sure she’ll even talk to me.”

                “Nice to know you’re not any happier about this than I am. But I want this case wrapped up ASAP. Go do it.”

                • • •

                When the doorbell rang, Amanda was sure Danny Hartmann had returned and she answered, ready to give the cop a tongue-lashing.

                But instead of the police detective, standing on her doorstep was the man in the photo Danny had shown her. The man who had stalked her while she shopped.

                The man she’d seen at Bullseye the night two people were murdered.

                She cleared her throat, sure her voice would wobble when she spoke. Finally she said, “Yes, can I help you? Are you lost?”

                “No, Amanda. I’m exactly where I want to be.” Beal Matthews pushed past her into the hallway. “Now, we’re going to go open that safe and get out what you owe me.”

                “What safe? There’s no safe, ” she said. She realized her mistake when she saw the furious look on his face. “That is, there’s nothing in the safe. It all went into my bank account. I told you. My banker will be getting the money tomorrow.”

                “Bitch.” He slapped her across the face. “You’re lying. You stole from Tom, you killed him and got away with it, you’re still trying to cheat me. Show me where the damn safe is or that’s just a taste of what you’re in for.” Twisting her arm behind her, he shoved her toward the kitchen. “We’re going downstairs. That’s where it has to be. But I can’t find it. Move. Now.” He pulled a gun from his pocket. “Or I’ll use this.”

                Chihuly appeared from the kitchen, growling at Matthews, teeth bared.

                “Goddamn dog.” He pointed the gun at Chihuly’s head. “Get rid of him.”

                Amanda tried to move in front of her dog. “Don’t hurt him.”

                “You’re right. He didn’t cheat me out of what I earned. But if you don’t get rid of him, he’ll pay for what you did.”

                “Okay, okay, I’ll put him out if you’ll let me go.” Followed by Matthews, Amanda led her dog by the collar to the back door and pushed him outside.