Page 148 - Labelle Gramercy, Detective

Airtight

trusted completely for the past twelve months. Now it’s your turn.
Did you or did you not tell the detective about your relationship with
Laurel? I can’t imagine Lt. Gramercy being any easier on you than on
the rest of us. Or did you charm her into forgetting her business?”
Toro was about as angry as I’d ever seen him. “I resent that,
Waldo. Labelle is a very pleasant woman, very easy to talk to. Sure,
we talked about personal things, but it’s none of your business. You
got that?”
Labelle! I wondered who had charmed whom. But Toro never had
problems establishing intimacy with any member of the opposite sex.
He was so transparent; that policewoman must played him like a
violin. But now he clammed up tight. His behavior had been
questioned by another man, and his response was to put up a very
convincing front as a tough guy who shouldn’t be messed with. And
that ended the discussion. Nothing Waldo could do, other than start
a fight he couldn’t win, one with fists instead of words.
The room was heavy with stale air, the coffee-maker providing the
only sound. At last the door opened and Lt. Gramercy came in. No
one dared look her in the eye.
“All right,” she said briskly, as if we were a fresh load of tourists
on a bus. “My preliminary investigation is complete. Your statements
will be transcribed, and you will be asked to sign them tomorrow
morning. Please make yourselves available for further questioning at
that time.”
“You mean—you mean we can all go?” Blanche was incredulous.
“Just like that?”
The detective nodded. “We have a van outside to transport you to
your homes—or to a hotel, if you prefer.” She looked just as fresh as
she had half a day earlier. Of course, there wasn’t that much about
her to spoil. The team members visibly relaxed. One by one they
stood up and cautiously edged toward the door. Ray was the last one
to leave.
“But what about Laurel? Didn’t you find out how she died?”
“Tomorrow, Mr. Hope.”
He grimaced and left. I could imagine the five of them going out
into real darkness for the first time in a year. It would be wonderful,
like the first taste of scotch after a long day at the office. They’d soon
forget about being left in the dark about Laurel. I couldn’t.

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