Bouncer (18 page)

Nick swallowed heavily. “That wasn’t in the papers.”

“Even Chief Rollins has some vestige of mercy, though he despises her.”

“And
why
does he hate her so?”

Steven Koh turned his thin face towards Nick. His oriental eyes were much narrower and more darkly shadowed than Nick’s. Nick recognized it took a great deal for this intensely private man to confide in a near stranger.

“It’s because she’s not only smarter than him but also that Rollins knows he did her a gross injustice by not ensuring the culprits were apprehended. Lea was positive that, while the Russian Mob might have been involved in her family’s murder, her father had stumbled upon something so big, so incriminating that he and Lane were rubbed out. Then, to further stifle her investigation, Rollins blacklisted her in this town so she could barely make a living, because she dared speak her mind. I’ve sent some cases her way and would help her more, but her pride is as great as Rollins’ animosity. To add insult to injury, he belittled her femininity and sexuality by suggesting any man who had been or would be interested in her must have a screw loose. Not that he’s any great shakes himself in that department.”

“I see,” whispered Nick guiltily.

“So, do me a favor. Make sure she carries her gun and level with her if you can. Lea needs someone like you to monitor her impulsive nature and tell her the flat truth regarding her rogue methods. And she doesn’t need someone around who doesn’t have her work ethic
.
She’s the most hard-working, down-to-earth person I know. So much so she pisses off any man in his right mind.”

“And you’re not in your right mind, I take it? But what about her boyfriend? Doesn’t he have any impact or influence on her behavior?”

“Boyfriend?
Bernard
? She
told
you about him?”

“Only a little. She’s intensely reserved regarding the subject. Thought she would chew my head off when I dared comment on that cozy photograph of them in her hallway.”

Steven’s head snapped up. “Lea let you in her house?” A strange expression passed over his face, and if Nick hadn’t known better, he’d swear it was awe. Whatever caused his intense reaction, Steven didn’t elaborate.

“She did. It’s kinda nice, but too much like a jungle for my taste. You know Bernard?”

Steven straightened his tools needlessly upon their spotless metal tray and didn’t answer the question directly, saying instead, “I believe everyone has a right to privacy, and regarding Bernard, I have no right to comment one way or another. Just tread softly and keep her away from Rollins. I’ll do what I can on this end to facilitate a quick and successful end to this case.”

“Alright,” said Nick cautiously. Something didn’t add up. Why didn’t Steven Koh just spill the beans and say what needed to be said? He had the uncomfortable feeling that Dr. Koh was protecting Fox. But from whom or what?

Chapter 17

Sunday Evening

Fox fiddled restlessly with the adjustment for the Mustang’s bucket seats. Much too self-conscious, Nick immediately suspected she’d been going through his glove compartment.

“Watch out for the Glock .45. It’s loaded and dangerous,” he scolded, flicking an undisguised rebuke.

“Nice pistol, but I prefer the Glock .40. The large double-stacks on the .45 are just too big for my hand. I need the versatility and comfort of a sub-compact.” She pulled a small pistol out of her oversized handbag. It fit like a glove in her hand, and she held absolutely no feminine remorse about toting so lethal a weapon.

“Should have guessed. Just promise me you’ll leave my firearms alone. You have a permit for that thing, I take it?”

“Of course. I’m by-the-book Fox, you know.”

“Right.” He started the engine.

“While we’re waiting for Steven’s results, why don’t we return to my house and fiddle around with the Internet. I want to find out more about the owner of the Collins house. Have you discovered anything about the Montanari’s?”

“I asked Randy to work on it, but I have to say he’s much better in the field than on the computer.”

“And what about Roger? Have you heard from him?”

“I spoke to Susan this morning. He’s recovering nicely. We need him, Fox, if we’re going to be allowed to solve this case. He has credibility and a working relationship with the chief. Plus, Susan is Steven Koh’s brother.”

“Of course. You can see the family resemblance.”

“He’s worried about you.”

“Steven is always worried about something. That’s why he has all those attractive stress lines in the middle of his forehead.”

“He cares about you and believes this is a serial killer.”

“Oh, fiddlesticks! He just thinks I’m going to meet my father’s fate and will have to unzip me from a black bag.”

“Aren’t you a morbid one. And you’re wrong. This person is one you’d least expect to be a killer.”

“Hmm. Steven’s advice is never to be ignored, and because of that, I’ll research everything I know about trophy collector serial killers tonight. But I’d have to disagree with him. We’re missing something, Thayne, something smack-dab front of our noses.”

Nick glanced at his steel watch.

“Am I keeping you from something?” she asked.

“Just a phone call that is a sight more pleasant than all this skullduggery.”

“A serious girlfriend for once?”

“Nope. And I absolutely refuse to take women seriously; that’s what gets a man in trouble every time. I suspect our poor mayor would echo my sentiments, if only he could.”

Fox seemed uncomfortable with the banter. “You interviewed Luke Cambridge?”

“Yeah, I did. He reached into the console and handed her a small micro-cassette. “I recorded the conversation so you could hear it verbatim and use the F & H to record your findings. Take your time enjoying it. He’s made some interesting points.”

“You saw Philemon?”

“Just for a few minutes. He seems in good spirits. Was reading the Bible with his wife when I arrived. I asked him about the smell coming from the Collins house, and he stated a mild stench has surrounded that house as long as he’s worked there. It’s rarely noticeable, and usually only on hot, breezeless days like we’ve been having recently. Mrs. Simms indicted she’d actually called the city regarding the odor. They speculated it was probably a septic tank too close to the surface or a faulty sewer pipe. I didn’t inform him about the dung pile.”

“And his status?”

“He’s been charged with both murders, and apparently, Mrs. Fisher was called to the station to give a statement. Not sure what turn that’s going to take. Also, met Connie’s cousin on my way out. There certainly wasn’t much of a family resemblance. He’s tall, thin, and balding; rather nondescript, actually. It’s been verified he was in Florida with several other officers all last week. Presidio Boy was planning to have dinner with Connie on Saturday and learned of her death instead. He’s arranging the services for next Friday and will go through her things as soon as the chief releases the premises. Rollins had Officer Steele there bagging up a ton of stuff this afternoon.”

“He’s barking up the wrong tree. Connie was killed because of the company she was keeping. I doubt if it was premeditated. I’ll be sure to buy the
Times
tomorrow for the next update.”

They pulled up in front of her pretty little yard. A couple sparrows dove from her feeder, which hung off a mulberry branch, disturbed by Thayne’s bright red car.

“I’ll meet you inside. I have to place my call,” Nick stated.

Ten minutes passed before Thayne entered the house, an expression suggesting only guilt upon his lean face. Lea suspected he had given his mother his ritualistic Sunday evening call. It prompted her to ask.

“So, why do you hate your dad so much?”

She was seated by her computer in the small neat office. The abruptness of the question and tone startled him. And he’d thought he was getting used to her by now.

“None of your business,” Nick growled.

“Oh, come now, I need to know why you have such volatile moods and have lost yourself in Girard instead of flaunting your wares in San Francisco where they would be much more appreciated. Besides, no one would understand domestic problems better than I.”

She’d powered up the computer and waited patiently as Windows loaded.

“Ah, shit,” he murmured finally. “Knowing you, you probably have a complete dossier on me as well.”

She actually did, but was not about to admit it. Besides, it was filled with way too many holes and speculations.

“My dad is a first rate bastard, and I only found out his true nature about four years ago.” He sank down upon the comfortable window seat and watched her small hands type in a password and wait for Internet access.

“I’m quite familiar with men who are bastards,” she said softly.

He was certain she was.

Her home phone jangled and he politely picked it up and handed it to her. It was Roger Chung.

“Hello, Roger,” she said as sweetly as her gruff voice would allow. Fox listened for a moment before raising a finger at Nick. “Roger needs to have you call Chief Rollins right away. Could you use your cell outside—this is the only line I have.”

“Is he gone?” asked Roger a minute later.

“Yes. How you doing?”

“I feel like some fool doctor’s been messing with my insides, but other than that, I’m just hunky dory.”

Lea gave a hoarse laugh. “So, I guess I have you to thank for Nick Thayne showing up on my doorstep.” It was half-accusation.

“You could do worse.”

“Perhaps. You’re his friend, right?”

Roger gave a short laugh. “If that means I put up with his shit, then yes.”

“What can you tell me about him? He’s like a clam.”

“Look who’s talking. So, what do you want to know?”

“Just two little things. Why does he hate his father and why was he kicked off the force?”

“So, you want to know everything do ya?”

“You bet. Thayne has shared with me sketches relating to our crime scenes. Tell me all you know.”

After a long pause Roger said. “Alright, but I’m warning you Lea. You need him. No matter what his methods, he’s the best there is, and you’ve got to trust him.”

“Prove it.”

“A real doubting Thomas, aren’t ya. Okay. Here’s one story the dailies won’t ever know. Nick was born just outside of Subic Bay in the Philippines. It was the usual story of a seventeen-year-old girl getting involved with a young naval officer. In most Asian countries, half-breed children, especially the offspring of US troops, are particularly scorned by the native populous.”

“That happened in Vietnam and Korea,” stated Lea. “So. the grand protector America isn’t as beloved as George W. would like us to believe?”

“Please don’t get me started on politics,” Roger snorted before continuing. “Thayne’s mother was tiny and had difficulty delivering her oversized half-Caucasian baby. She bled severely after a long labor at a Catholic home for unmarried girls before finally succumbing to infection. The orphanage was run by the Dominican Sisters of Mercy, who immediately took in another blessing America had bestowed upon one of their unfortunate daughters. His mother Constance is buried in a small graveyard behind the orphanage.”

“Does he have a photo of her or anything?” Lea asked.

“Well, kinda. I’ll get to that. Nick remained in the orphanage until age three, when one day, a man and his wife showed up at the orphanage. The childless couple took one look at Nick and started the wheels in motion for adoption.

“Charming even then, I take it. His mother must have been thrilled to finally have a child.”

“Oh, she was, believe it or not.” He chuckled to himself. “Nick was quiet and well-mannered even then. The sisters, you see, were quite generous with the switch when passing on their concept of perfect obedience.”

The Montanari birth records popped up and she pressed the print button. Roger paused his narrative, and she could hear him ingesting some fluids nosily. He wasn’t the type of man who took being laid up well, and she grinned to herself.

“So, what happened between him and his dad?”

“Impatient little broad, aren’t you. I’m getting to that. Martin Thayne is a powerful man, and as you probably know, holds a seat on the State Water Commission.”

Lea understood only too well the power of that particular committee in this water-strained state. “I managed to dig that up.”

“I’m not surprised, you little ferret. From what Nick has told me, it appeared Martin Thayne’s sole goal in life was to please his father. Thus, Martin joined the naval academy, served as an ensign, and married his high school sweetheart at age twenty-two, who of course, is Thayne’s adopted mother.

“After giving back his time to the Navy, Martin took over as top engineer for the California Aqueduct Project and finally ran for office, serving as the Water Commissioner in the Sacramento Valley while Nick was sent off to Stanford. Thayne wanted to be a lawyer, but Martin insisted he pursue engineering or business administration.” He chuckled, and Lea wondered what was so funny.

“Unbeknownst to Martin, Nick, who was always ornery, studied for the law school entrance exam and passed.” He paused significantly.

“And . . . ?” she prompted.

“At law school, he met a young Filipino woman who’d also been adopted by an American family. She’d managed, with the help of the military of all organizations, to locate her natural parents and urged Nick to do the same. So, Nick took some of that Thayne wealth and made a trip to his homeland.” Roger hesitated and Lea heard a small dog barking in the background and the rattle of something falling near the phone.

While she waited for Roger to continue, she began scanning what she’d pulled up on Connie Judson. The thirty-four-year-old woman had been married twice and pursued careers in modeling, retail, and telephone marketing. That was before she’d struck it rich by becoming Thad Fisher’s squeeze. Her cousin, Mark, was her only living relative and Lea felt momentarily sad, knowing few would grieve the voluptuous redhead’s demise.

“Sorry, Lea, that damn dog came in here and broke a plate. Thank God it wasn’t one from Susan’s treasured wedding set. Where was I?”

“Thayne visited his homeland.”

As he returned to his recital, Lea typed in Edith Simms’ name, address, and phone number and hoped that her search engine would discover facts regarding the elderly woman’s family. Roger’s voice took on a strange quality, and Lea realized that what came next was very important if she was to understand Nick Thayne.

“After Thayne traveled to the orphanage, the nuns informed him that his grandmother was still alive and living in Manila. In disbelief, he journeyed to the crowded dirty city to enter a small apartment resembling more a shack than a flat with its dirt-packed floor and swarming flies.

Nick told me that he expected her to reject him outright. After all, he was living evidence of her teenage daughter’s fall from grace. Instead, the old woman welcomed him with open arms and cried her eyes out, hugging Nick and repeating over and over how he was the exact image of his mother, yet resembled his father as well in size and build. Nick discovered his biological father had been a constant guest to her tiny home. He’d made her great promises including the biggest, vowing to wed Constance.

“Grandma Silva was a bit of a legend in her neighborhood, supposedly having the
gift of sight
.” He paused again.

“Oh,” said Lea a cold shiver stiffening her spine.

“Yeah. Well, she indicated she’d always known Nick would be a successful man and began thrusting photos of Constance, his deceased grandfather, and other countless relatives into his hands. And then she handed him one last photo. It was of his father.”

Lea hunched her shoulders in anticipation of what was coming.