The Heirloom Murders - Kathleen Ernst [93]
Shit, Chloe thought. Valerie Bing and Simon Sabatola. All Dellyn needed to do was invite Alex Padopolous over for tea and she’d have the trifecta of worrisome people, all in one place.
_____
After talking to Peggy, Roelke drove to AgriFutures. Peggy’s discreet digging had turned up some interesting intel about the behind-the-scenes battle raging at the company. Time to make one last visit.
When he presented himself in the reception area on the 6th floor of the building, Edwin Guest frowned. “Mr. Sabatola is preparing for a presentation he needs to make tomorrow,” the secretary said. “This is quite a bad time.”
Roelke tried to project regret. “I just have one final bit of business I need to take up with Mr. Sabatola. Could you ask him if he could spare me a few minutes?” He carefully phrased his request as a question.
Guest didn’t answer. Roelke didn’t move. After a moment of silent stand-off the secretary sighed loudly and turned away. He knocked on the door to the inner sanctum, slipped inside, and closed it firmly behind him.
Roelke leaned over Guest’s desk. The daily calendar sat open, as it had before. Roelke quickly flipped back a few pages. And one more feeble ray of light shone on the enigma that was Bonnie Sabatola’s last morning.
When Guest emerged from Simon Sabatola’s office, Roelke was pretending to idly admire the man’s African violets. “I’m afraid Mr. Sabatola is too busy to see you today,” Guest said smoothly. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Well, in that case … yes.” Roelke ignored the flash of triumph in Guest’s eyes. “Tell Mr. Sabatola that his wife’s case is officially closed. And give him this.” He held out a brochure labeled Resources for the Bereaved. “Please let him know that if he wants to talk with someone, if he needs to talk with someone, there are several good grief counselors in the area.”
Guest accepted the brochure with a smile that was almost pleasant. “I’ll let him know. Thank you.”
Stupid little shit. He’d just been played like a piano. Roelke gave Guest a somber nod, and headed for the elevator.
_____
After work, Chloe drove to Dellyn’s house. So what if Valerie Bing was helping with the inventory? So what if Dellyn had told her not to come? The work would go faster with three people. Besides, Chloe wanted to keep an eye on Ms. Bing.
When she got there, though, the only vehicle in the driveway was Simon’s luxury car. Shit. Now what? I should march right up there and bang on the door, Chloe thought. For all she knew, Simon Sabatola had arrived with legal papers all ready for Dellyn’s signature. Perhaps Dellyn, right this minute, was signing away the property.
Chloe sat for several minutes, almost quivering with indecision. She wanted badly to go make sure Dellyn was not doing something she might regret. But the truth was … she’d only known Dellyn for a couple of months. And Dellyn had every right to make decisions about her own house.
Finally Chloe put the Pinto in drive, and headed home.
_____
Roxie was wiping down the bar when Roelke walked into her Roost early that evening. He took a stool in front of her and tried unsuccessfully to catch her eye.
“You want a beer?” she asked, busily rubbing an invisible spot.
“No. I want some of your time.”
She slid a quick, sideways glance in his direction. “I’m working here. I’ve gotta tend bar.”
“I want to talk with you.” Roelke was dressed in jeans again, and spoke quietly, but he used his best cop voice. “Can’t Kiki cover the bar for a few minutes?”
Roxie sidled a little farther away.
Roelke moved to a closer stool. “We can talk here, or we can talk at the Elkhorn police station. What’s your choice?”
After an indecisive pause, Roxie called her young waitress over. “Cover me for a few,” she said. Kiki shrugged and sidled behind the bar.
Roxie headed toward a corner table. Roelke followed and settled into a chair across from her. “Kiki looks pretty comfortable behind the bar,” he said. “I’m guessing she’s been there before. Like, maybe last Thursday night?”
“Last