“A selective kind of PI,” Evie said thoughtfully, intrigued. “So either business was good,” she guessed, “or he lived thin as far as personal needs went, so he could be choosy about which clients to take on.”
“From what I’ve seen so far, I’d say he was making ends meet, but it wasn’t luxury,” David replied. “He was living skinny in order to stay with the cases he wanted to work. I’m also not seeing what I would call work with the shadier sides of Chicago business—the business owner paying protection money to a crime family, a store dealing with a gang problem so as not to get their front windows smashed. Most PIs are doing some type of ‘social counseling,’ the ‘back off’ message delivery, the ex-husband or boyfriend ignoring a restraining order. But my guy was avoiding that type of job.”
As Evie listened, she realized David was revealing a rather extensive working knowledge of the PI business. She also noticed his handful of pretzels had become a neat stack as he idly flipped them into order in his hand while he talked. She was going to find the next weeks fascinating and had to force her attention back to the case itself, rather than profile the cop working it.
“My PI was the type who preferred to hang back,” David continued, gesturing again with a pretzel toward the board. “He liked to observe, take photos, ferret out the secret. Based on the numerous photos on those laptops, this guy can blend in at hotels, at bars—social, comfortable in crowds. He’s street-smart, can think on his feet. But that may have cost him his life, if he was too confident in his ability to handle himself in difficult situations.”
David glanced over. “You look into the secrets people are keeping, you’re going to find drugs, gambling, an affair, or a pretty elaborate fraud—the guy with two wives, a Ponzi scheme, embezzlement. I’m going to guess Saul followed someone, taking photos, got spotted himself, and paid for the error with his life—photograph a drug buy, get yourself shot. I’m inclined to think this case is going to come down to something that simple. He was doing a job that can be deadly. And for him, it was.”
Evie studied the names on the board, not expecting to recognize anyone, just counting for a total. “Getting killed because of work, given the breadth of his clients, is going to make for an interesting exploration.”
“The number of cases he was working at the time of his death is manageable. That’s where I’ll start digging first. If the answer isn’t found in those, I’ll then look at the closed cases. Maybe someone wanted payback.”
“You sound pleased,” Evie mentioned.
David smiled. “I am. I’m starting to understand this guy. I’ve now scanned enough files to know what he was doing in his job, and it’s the job where he poured his time. That’s a good chunk of work sorted out in just the first day.” David reached for a bottle of water. “That’s my case so far. How did your campus visit go?”
“Useful.” Evie filled him in on her impressions of the college and the apartment building where Jenna had lived.
He nodded as she finished. “You’re leaning toward a local crime, everything at the root of your case residing within blocks of each other.”
“I am. Her world is contained. I think he entered it and chose her. Whether he was choosing a type—a pretty college student who was vulnerable, reachable—or choosing the person Jenna, I’m not sure yet.”
“You’ll find him.”
Evie appreciated his certainty. “I will. Though I’m not yet sure it’s a him. I’m thinking her, as that possibility is probably not something well-explored yet. It’s there somewhere, the thread I need to find and tug.” She pushed back her chair. “Italian, you said? I’ve got a few things I want to gather up to take back to the hotel, but then I’m ready for dinner. Don’t forget, I’d like to hear the story of you and Maggie.”
He laughed. “Okay, give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to head out. We’ll find some good food and then I’ll tell you an interesting story.”
Four
David suggested an Italian restaurant near the office complex, and Evie followed his SUV in her car. The crowded parking lot suggested the locals approved of the food and the prices. David requested a table to the side of the room so they would have some privacy, near enough to the kitchen they weren’t going to get a close neighbor until the restaurant was full. Evie settled into the booth with a grateful smile, and the two scanned the menus.
David lifted his water glass. “To what will become a very long day.”