Rocky’s nostrils flared. “No.”
Now for the big question. “What can you tell me about the drug money heist you were involved in a few months ago?”
Rocky seemed genuinely bewildered. “What are you talking about?”
Hank waved the paper. “According to this, you, Werner, and Michael Norton, heisted some money from drug dealers.”
Rocky exploded from the chair. “I don’t know where you got that information, and I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was never involved in anything like that.”
“Relax, Mr. Shaft,” Hank said, waving toward the chair. “Sit down, please.”
Rocky folded his arms, his face reddening. “I don’t have to sit down. This interview is going nowhere, and you’re accusing me of things I had nothing to do with.”
Hank looked up at the angry man and spoke calmly. “I’m not accusing you. I’m asking about allegations others have made.”
“Do I need a lawyer?” Rocky asked, his thick brows in a tight line.
“Not unless you’re guilty of something.”
“The only thing I’m guilty of is trying to find out who killed my brother.” Rocky’s voice became shrill. “I don’t care who killed Norton. Frankly, I’m glad he’s dead, because I think he killed my brother, and you’re wasting my time.” He pointed toward the foyer. “This interview is over. Please leave.”
Hank packed up his briefcase, snapped it shut, and stood. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Shaft. I’ll be in touch with any developments.”
The door slammed behind Hank as he left the house. He wasn’t sure what he’d gotten from this interview, but one thing was certain, Rocky Shaft was a very angry man.
Chapter 33
DAY 4 - Thursday, 8:45 a.m.
ANNIE HAD HOPED a good night’s sleep would clear her mind and allow her to come up with something new, but after bustling Matty off to school and finishing her second cup of coffee, all she could do was sit at her desk and stare at her notes.
Jake wasn’t much help, either. He had wandered around the house like he was lost before heading downstairs for his morning workout. Annie could tell his mind was busy, and when he came into the office and slouched back in a chair, she knew he had drawn a blank.
She asked him anyway, “Come up with anything?”
“Nope.”
Annie sat back. “Usually there’s a clear cut motive—somebody benefits from another’s death, but I’m not seeing anything this time.”
“If it’s about the drug money, and Rocky Shaft is out to get it, he’s going to be careful for a while.”
Annie steepled her fingers, looked at Jake over top, and mused, “I wonder where they’re keeping the money.”
“Could be anywhere. In a locker. Under somebody’s floorboards. Not likely in a bank account.”
“If Rocky Shaft is the killer, he knows.”
“He’s not gonna go near it,” Jake said. “Especially if his accomplices are dead. He knows it’s safe.”
“Perhaps,” Annie said. “But if he’s as greedy as Norton suggested, he might not be able to keep his hands off it.”
“You might be right, but he’d have a hard time spending any of it. They’re watching him too closely.”
“There’s still a possibility of an affair going on between Maria and Rocky Shaft.”
“Sure,” Jake said. “But why kill Norton?”
“Because he found out about it?”
Jake drew his legs in and leaned forward. “So Rocky kills his brother, frames Norton, and then kills Norton too? Doesn’t sound logical. By killing Norton, it leaves an unsolved murder, and puts Rocky in the spotlight.”
Annie blew out a breath and shook her head in frustration. “You’re right. Doesn’t make sense.”
Jake frowned. “Here’s another crazy scenario. Do you think it’s possible we’re looking at two separate and unrelated murders?”
Annie drummed her fingers on the desktop a moment. “I don’t think so. That’s too much of a coincidence.”
“You’re probably right,” Jake said, and slouched back down.
“Don’t feel bad,” Annie said. “You’re not the only one drawing a blank. Even Hank is stumped on this one.”
Jake yawned and said in an offhand manner, “Maybe we should visit the Shaft’s neighbors.”
“Perhaps that’s not such a bad idea.”
“You think so?”
“Do we have anything better to do?”
Jake stood. “I’m game.”
“We’ll take my car,” Annie said. She stood and went to the kitchen, got her handbag and keys, and met Jake at the front door.
A few minutes later, Annie pulled her Escort to the curb in front of the Shaft house. There was an empty lot on one side, a small brick bungalow on the other, separated from the Shaft house by an evergreen hedge.
“That’s our best bet,” Annie said, pointing to the bungalow. She pulled the car ahead thirty feet and stopped.
“What if no one’s home?” Jake asked.
“We’ll soon see. There’s a vehicle parked in the driveway.”
The door opened to Jake’s knock by an elderly man, a cane in one shaky hand, and he looked at Jake over top of a pair of reading glasses. “Yes?”
Jake introduced Annie and himself. “Could we ask you a few questions?”
The old man squinted at Jake, then offered Annie a smile. “Glad to help,” he said. “Sara and I don’t get a lot of visitors.” He stepped back. “Come right on in. Make yourself at home and don’t mind the cat and she won’t mind you.”
Water could be heard running from down the hallway, probably from the kitchen.
“Sara,” the man called in a shaky voice. “We got company.”
The water stopped, and in a moment, a woman appeared in the hallway, wiping her hands on an apron. Her gray hair was worked up into a bun, and a pleasant smile adorned her face as she shuffled toward them. She stopped and beckoned. “Bring them on into the kitchen, Abe. Where’s your manners?”
A jug of orange juice and a generous plate of baked goods were set in front of them almost before the Lincolns could pull back chairs and sit down.
Sara poured the juice and pushed the plate of goodies toward Jake. “Fill up on this, young man. You look like you could hold a few. And there’s plenty more where that came from.”
Jake thanked her and helped himself.
“Ma’am,” Annie began.
“You can call me Sara.” She pointed at the old man. “And this here’s Abe.” She patted Annie’s hand and beamed. “Sorry to interrupt, dear. You go right ahead.”
Annie smiled. The woman reminded her of everyone’s grandmother. “Sara, I don’t know if you’ve heard about Werner Shaft’s death, but we’re looking into it.”
“Dear me, what a dreadful thing that is. Yes, we heard about that. Shocking.” She looked at the old man. “Wouldn’t you say, Abe?”
Abe nodded. “Shocking. Indeed.”
“And how can we help, my dear?” Sara asked.
“Did you know Werner Shaft?”
“Oh, sure. Werner was a fine man. Can’t say as much for his brother.”
“Rocky?” Jake said, popping a chocolate square into his mouth.
“Has a bad temper, I’ll say that. Why he’s always after Abe about one thing or another. Isn’t he, Abe?”
“Sure is.”
“What about Maria? Do she and Rocky get along?”
Sara covered her mouth. “Don’t know as I should gossip ’bout this, but I think them two are up to something.”
“Such as?” Jake asked.
Sara leaned in and lowered her voice. “Well, they’re just too close. Many’s the time when they don’t think anyone’s watching and I see them in the back yard together.”
“When Werner was there?”
“No. No. When he wasn’t there.”
“What did you see?” Jake asked. He took a chug of orange juice.
“Don’t know as I should say,” the old woman said.