Searching for Beautiful(118)

“A spray-painted insult doesn’t warrant a CSI investigation, Ms. Meadows,” the officer drawled. “It’s ugly, juvenile, and a call for attention. But not a death threat.”

Arilyn’s lips twisted. “Great. So David has to verbally threaten her with murder for you to do your job? Do you plan to do any work at all or sit back until she’s in real danger?”

Officer Petty practically snarled, lowering his face closer to hers. “Maybe if I didn’t get interrupted constantly by snooping neighbors who believe they have all the answers, I could actually use my time to investigate instead of defend my job.”

“I don’t snoop,” she challenged. “And perhaps we need a different officer here to confirm the investigation is done properly.”

Gen made a squeak. Wolfe didn’t say a word. Devine looked fascinated.

A muscle ticked in Petty’s jaw. “Perhaps you need someone to keep you in line and out of trouble. And since no one else will volunteer for the job, perhaps it’s gonna be me. How about a night in jail for police interference?”

“You wouldn’t dare. First I’ll report you. Then I’ll sue you.”

He gave a mean laugh. “Go ahead. I’ll look forward to it.”

She gasped. “I don’t like you!”

“I don’t like you either.” His voice dropped to a growl. “Now, be a good girl and get out of my way so I can finish up here and get some donuts.”

Arilyn stepped back. And fell silent.

Yep. Round two went to Officer Petty.

The sound of a walker slapped against concrete and the blazing light from her next-door neighbor’s house gave fair warning. The evening was about to get much worse.

Mrs. Blackfire reached them, her beady eyes peering over her thick glasses. She wore house slippers, a hairnet, and a faded pink housedress. She took in the bloodred scrawled word on Gen’s once happy house, the flashing lights, the policemen, and Arilyn’s ghostly half nakedness.

“What’s going on around here?” she snapped out. “This is my neighborhood and I’m a taxpayer. I demand to know who did this.”

“More taxpayers,” Petty muttered under his breath. “Why’d I ever come to Verily?”

“Is this a sex thing?” Mrs. Blackfire asked. “I saw this on 20/20. Is this woman running a brothel?”

Gen’s eyes widened. “No! I’m the victim here and I did nothing wrong. Someone vandalized my property.”

Officer Devine stepped in. “Ma’am, you live next door to Ms. MacKenzie? Did you see or hear anything?”

Mrs. Blackfire snorted. “No, I fell asleep early tonight with the TV on. I woke up when I heard the sirens.”

Devine scribbled something down. “Name, please.”

“Mrs. Joan Blackfire. Who would do such a thing?” Her gaze narrowed on Wolfe. “You! Snake! Do you have any Jet friends who want to cause trouble?”

Gen waited for Wolfe to lose his temper, but his eyes flickered with a touch of amusement. “It’s Wolfe. And no, my friends would never do this. It’s her crazy ex.”

“We don’t know that,” Petty said.

“Maybe if you investigated we’d find out who really did it,” Arilyn said.

Petty smothered a curse. Arilyn glared. Officer Devine cleared his throat. “No evidence of intrusion, so it was kept to the outside. Other than Dr. Riscetti, is there anyone else who would make you suspicious? Girlfriends you fought with? Women after Dr. Riscetti?”

“No,” Gen said. “There are many people at the hospital who were angry with me, but we’ve had no contact for weeks. I haven’t fought with anyone. The only person that makes sense is David.”

Officer Devine nodded and took out a business card. “Here’s a company that can do discreet and quick cleanup for the house. Your insurance should pay for it minus the deductible.”

Her fingers trembled as she took the card. “Thanks. Will you let us know after you speak with him?”

“Yes. We’ll get his whereabouts, delve a bit deeper, and see what we come up with. I’ll also be asking your other neighbors if they saw anyone. Unfortunately, if there’s no witnesses, we may not get the person.”

Arilyn snorted.

Petty glared.

“Thanks for your help,” Wolfe said. “You have our cell phones?”

“We’re set.”

Mrs. Blackfire raised her voice. “Officers, while I have you both here, can you please look at that tree?” Her bony finger stabbed the air toward the large, graceful pine tree bending slightly over. “It’s diseased and ready to fall on my property. I’d like you to advise her to cut it down.”