“I couldn’t quit under any circumstances,” I said.
Dan’s face fell into a deep, dark frown. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t work there anymore.”
“You mean you already quit?” His frown flipped into a mile-wide grin.
“No, I think I was fired.”
“What?… When?… Why?” His eyes were in shock, but his grin was still firmly in place.
“It happened Thursday afternoon,” I said. “Pomeroy had a holy hemorrhage over the fact that I sent Lenny home early on deadline day. He said I was insolent and insubordinate, and he told Mr. Crockett that he and Harrington both wanted me terminated immediately. Since Harrington was involved in the decision, Crockett had no choice but to let me go.”
“I don’t believe it,” Dan said, shaking his head. He wasn’t grinning anymore. “You’re the best damn reporter that magazine ever had, and Harrington’s never shown any concern about your conduct before.”
I finished the piece of bacon and took a sip of coffee. “It’s not my conduct he’s concerned about. It’s his own.”
“His connections with Sabrina and Melody, you mean.”
“Right. I’m sure that’s the real reason Harrington wanted me fired-so I wouldn’t write a story about Melody’s murder for DD and, during my investigation, uncover the truth about his sex life. His marriage probably couldn’t stand the strain of such a scandal. And divorce can be very expensive, you know.”
“Tell me about it,” Dan grunted, referring to his own costly trek through divorce court. (His promiscuous ex-wife had secured a good settlement by seducing the judge.) Wolfing down another yolk-dipped piece of toast and following it with a slug of coffee, Dan asked, “Was Harrington sleeping with Jocelyn, too?”
“Not according to Sabrina. She fixed Brigitte up with him a few times a couple of years ago, but after Melody joined the agency and Harrington started dating her, he wouldn’t settle for anybody else.”
“So you don’t think he’s a suspect?”
“No,” I said, in my firmest tone. “Sam Hogarth killed Jocelyn. I know it. We’ve got to concentrate all our skills and energy on proving his guilt. Anything else would be a waste of time.”
“I wish I was as convinced as you are.”
“You will be-just as soon as you start digging up the evidence.”
“But that will be next to impossible, Paige. Just think about it. This is the Manhattan district attorney we’re talking about! The most powerful prosecutor in the city. He’s rich, smart, politically connected, and very well protected. The commissioner will never put me on Hogarth’s tail. He’ll never put any detective on his tail.”
“No, but he’ll put you on Jocelyn’s murder case once you tell him it’s connected to the Virginia Pratt case. He’ll see right away that you’re a better man for the job than Mudd.” I forked a gooey piece of egg into my mouth and chewed it slowly. “And you don’t have to mention Hogarth to the commissioner at all,” I said when I’d swallowed. “You can investigate him on your own and in secret-the same way you did Corona.”
“Yeah, sure. I can do that. But it won’t make any difference. I still won’t be able to get the goods on Hogarth. He’s as insulated as Frank Costello. Nobody can touch him.” Dan finished off his last egg and the rest of the bacon. “And what proof could I find, anyway? Lipstick on his collar? A smear of chlorine in his clothes? Believe me, everything Hogarth was wearing last night is already at the cleaners. And that St. Christopher medal you’re so proud of? It doesn’t prove a thing. You didn’t actually see Hogarth snitch it from Corona ’s dressing room, and you’re the only person alive who knows it was found at the scene of the crime.
“I’ve got news for you, babe,” he added. “It would be a hell of a lot easier to pin this murder on you than on Hogarth.
“Well, that’s not very comforting!” I said, shuddering.
“No, but it’s the truth,” he gloomily replied.
“But what if Sabrina comes forward and tells the press about Hogarth’s relationship with Jocelyn?” I sputtered. “Wouldn’t that point to the DA’s guilt?”
“Pointing isn’t proving. And besides, didn’t you say that Hogarth and Jocelyn were seeing each other on the sneak? Sabrina didn’t even know about their arrangement until you filled her in. So how could she go to the papers with an undocumented story like that? It’s nothing but hearsay, and no respectable crime reporter would risk his career and reputation-not to mention his all-important relations with the DA’s office!-to print it.
“I hate to say this, Paige,” Dan concluded, “but if Hogarth is the one who killed Jocelyn, there’s a damn good chance he’s going to get away with it.”
I couldn’t finish my breakfast. One more bite would have made me throw up. “But that’s unthinkable!” I cried, jumping up from the table and pacing from one end of the kitchen to the other. “We can’t let it happen, Dan! We can’t just back away and let the bastard go free! There’s got to be something we can do!”
Dan stood up and stepped into the middle of the room, blocking me in my tracks. He grabbed hold of my shoulders and squeezed them hard. “Listen to me very carefully,” he said, staring into my eyes like an ultrastrict father (or husband). “There is nothing you can do. Nothing whatsoever. Do you hear what I’m saying? You are through with this investigation as of now! You’re going to lock yourself in this apartment and stay here until I come back.”
“But when will that be?” I whimpered.
“I don’t know. First, I’m going to the commissioner’s office, to get him to pull Mudd off the case and put me on. At least that way you won’t have to go in for questioning Monday morning. Then I’ll go over to the Barbizon, talk to Jocelyn’s neighbors, check out her apartment and the pool. Since Hogarth gave Melody expensive presents, maybe he gave some to Jocelyn, too. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find something traceable.”
“I saw a mink coat in the changing room at the pool. It was lying on a bench with the rest of her clothes.”
“Mudd probably took that into evidence last night. I’ll look into it.”
I groaned, twisted my shoulders out of Dan’s grasp, and started pacing again. “God, Dan! I can’t just sit here like a chunk of cheese! I’ll go out of my mind. I’ve got to do something! Isn’t there some way I can help?”
“The best way you can help is by staying home and staying safe,” he insisted, rolling his sleeves down, buttoning his collar, and tightening his tie. He walked into the living room, took his leather shoulder holster off the back of the chair, and buckled it on. “You can call Sabrina,” he said, throwing me a bone. “Tell her about Corona ’s arrest and Jocelyn’s murder; see if she’s heard anything.” He put on his suit jacket and anchored his hat at a sexy angle on his head.
I was too tired and muddle-headed to protest. “Okay,” I said, heaving a loud sigh of defeat. “Be careful… and don’t forget your coat.” I opened the closet and took out his trench coat. Then I walked over to the door and held the garment open while Dan shoved his arms into the sleeves.
Adjusting the coat around his shoulders and turning to face me, he said, “Hey, babe, I could get used to this-you slaving over breakfast and then sending me off to work like a good little wife.” He gave me a big wink to make sure I knew he was kidding.
“The engagement’s off,” I bluffed. “Find yourself another cook and coat-check girl. I’ve got better things to do with my-”
I was going to say time, but he didn’t give me enough time. He threw his arms around me, pulled me tight to his chest, and gave me a kiss so deep and long and hard I knew I’d feel its effects forever.