That question triggered Jonah’s first noticeable hesitation. He steepled his fingers in front of his chest. “Yes and no. Yes, because one is always initially startled by that ultimate form of violence. No, because murder was not a surprising end to the kind of life Carl led. And I could easily imagine someone close to him being driven to that extreme.”
“Even someone like Kay?”
“Even someone like Kay.”
“Or someone like yourself?”
Jonah wrapped his answer in an earnest frown. “Or someone like myself.” Then he glanced, not quite surreptitiously, at his watch.
Gurney smiled. “Just a couple more questions.”
“I do have a live webcast scheduled in ten minutes, but go ahead, please.”
“What did you think of Mick Klemper?”
“Who?”
“The chief investigator at Carl’s shooting.”
“Ah. Yes. What did I think of him? I thought he might have a drinking problem.”
“Did he interview you?”
“I wouldn’t call it an interview. He asked a few basic questions at the cemetery that day. He took down my contact information, but he never followed up. He didn’t strike me as particularly thorough … or trustworthy.”
“Would you be surprised if you heard that he was guilty of evidence tampering?”
“I can’t say it would be a shock.” He cocked his head curiously. “Are you saying that he used illegal means to get Kay convicted? Why?”
“Again, that’s confidential within the appeal process at this point. But it does raise an important point. Assuming that Kay didn’t kill Carl, obviously someone else did. Does the fact that the real killer is out there roaming around free worry you?”
“For my own safety? Not at all. Carl and I were on the opposite sides of every business decision, every proposed action of Spalter Realty—as well as every personal matter that ever came up between us. We never had the same friends, the same goals, the same anything. It’s highly unlikely that we’d have the same enemy.”
“One last question.” Gurney paused, more for dramatic effect than because of any indecision. “What would you say if I told you that your mother’s death may not have been accidental?”
“What do you mean?” He blinked, appeared stunned.
“Evidence has come to light that connects her death with Carl’s.”
“What evidence?”
“I can’t go into that. But it seems persuasive. Can you think of any reason that the person who targeted Carl would also have targeted your mother?”
Jonah’s expression was a frozen mix of emotions. The most recognizable one was fear. But was it the fear of the unknown? Or was it fear of the unknown becoming known? He shook his head. “I … I don’t know what to say. Look, I need to know what … I mean, what kind of evidence are you talking about?”
“Right now that’s a confidential part of the appeals case. I’ll see that you’re informed as soon as possible.”
“What you’re saying is … absolutely bizarre.”
“It must seem that way. But if any explanation occurs to you, any scenario that you think might connect the two deaths, please let me know right away.”
The man’s only visible response was a small nod.
Gurney decided on another abrupt change of direction. “What do you think of Carl’s daughter?”
Jonah swallowed, shifted in his chair. “Are you asking me if she could … could have killed her father? And her grandmother too?” He looked lost. “I have no idea. Alyssa is … not a healthy person, but … her father? Her grandmother?”
“Not healthy in what way? Can you be more specific?”
“No. Not now.” He looked at his watch, as if baffled by the data it conveyed. “I really have to go. Really. Sorry.”
“Last question. Who else might have wanted to kill Carl?”
He turned up his palms in a gesture that conveyed frustration with the question. “Anyone. Anyone who got close enough to see the rot behind the smile.”
“Thank you for your help, Jonah. I hope we can speak again. By the way, what’s the topic of your webcast?”
“Sorry, my what?”
“Your webcast.”
“Oh.” He looked sick. “Today’s topic is ‘Our Path to Joy.’ ”
Chapter 47. Still Missing
Gurney used the quarter hour prior to Hardwick’s and Esti’s scheduled arrival at nine o’clock to type and print out three copies of what he’d jotted down the day before on a legal pad—the case’s key points.
Esti was the first to arrive but only by a minute. As she was parking her hot blue Mini Cooper by the asparagus bed, Hardwick’s red GTO was rumbling up past the barn.
She stepped out of the little car, and her T-shirt, cutoff jeans, and relaxed smile all proclaimed a day off from the job. Her caramel skin glowed in the morning sunlight. As she approached the side door, she cast a curious glance at the flat stones marking the rooster’s grave.
Gurney opened the screen door and shook hands with her.
“Hey,” she said, “it’s so gorgeous today, we should stay out here.”
Gurney returned the smile. “That’d be nice. Problem is, I have some videos inside I want you and Jack to see.”
“Just a thought. The sun feels good on my skin.”
Hardwick pulled his car in next to hers, got out, and swung the heavy door shut. Without bothering to acknowledge her or Gurney, he shaded his eyes with his hand and began scanning the surrounding fields and wooded hillsides.
She gave him a sideways glance. “You looking for somebody?”
He didn’t answer, just continued what he was doing.
Gurney followed his gaze until it reached Barrow Hill, realizing then what was on the man’s mind. “That’s the most likely spot,” said Gurney.
Hardwick nodded. “At the top of that narrow trail?”
“It’s actually an overgrown quarry road.”
Hardwick stayed focused on the hill. “Pretty good distance from here. He’d need to be really good. Maybe twelve hundred feet?”
“Maybe a little more. Not too different from Long Falls.”
Esti looked alarmed. “You guys talking about a sniper?”
“A possible location for one,” said Gurney. “There’s a place near the top of that hill that would be my choice if I were targeting someone who lived in this house. Clear view of the side door, clear view of the cars.”
She turned to Hardwick. “Every place you go now, that’s what you’re checking out? Sniper spots?”
“With two rounds in the side of my house, it’s on my mind these days. Areas surrounded by good cover concern me.”
Her eyes widened. “So maybe instead of standing here like sitting ducks, staring at a place we could be shot from, we should go inside, yes?”
Hardwick looked like he was about to make a wiseass comment about her standing/sitting remark, but he just grinned and followed her into the house. After another glance up the hill, Gurney joined them.
He got his laptop and list of issues from the den, and they all settled down at the dining table. “Why don’t we start by getting up-to-date?” suggested Gurney. “You and Esti were going to make some calls. Do we have any new facts?”
Esti went first. “This Greek mob guy, Adonis Angelidis? According to my friend at OCTF, he’s a big deal. Low profile, compared to the Italians and the Russians, but a lot of influence. Works with all the families. It was the same with Gurikos, the guy who got his head nailed. He arranged big hits for big players. Major connections. Very trusted.”