Booby Trap (20 page)

It was obvious to
me that the Blond Bomber was after Jane Sharp in one way or another. Maybe it was Brian Eddy trying to get payback for his wife’s indiscretions, or maybe it was someone else with an axe to grind, such as one of her many jilted lovers, but there was no way now not to miss the connection between Jane and the victims. Before, the Blond Bomber was going after women with long blond hair. Now, he had targeted a woman with bobbed light red hair. If this was a coincidence, I’m a size 2 and my stepmother is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

It was seven thirty on Friday morning. After listening to me rant and rave last night on the phone about hair color and serial killer theories, Dev said he’d come by our house early in the morning. I told him I’d have coffee and a hot breakfast waiting for him. I was finally getting to cook a meal.

“You’ve been investigating Dr. Brian Eddy all this time?” Dev asked in a semi-cranky voice.

“Yes, sort of.” I looked to Greg for support. He was feeding Wainwright and gave me a look of encouragement. “Mostly, Greg and I have talked to a few of the victims’ families. I was trying to find a link, or more accurately to
not
find a link, between Dr. Eddy and the victims. That’s what we were doing when I stumbled upon Gordon Harper’s connection to Laurie Luke’s murder.”

I pulled an egg, spinach, and sausage casserole out of the oven and placed it on a trivet on the table. Earlier, I had walked down to the bakery and bought some fresh cinnamon bread. Pops was there. As soon as he saw me, he started mumbling again about the van. I bought him a coffee and another egg and cheese breakfast sandwich.

Dev gripped his coffee mug while I dished up eggs for all of us. “Odelia, you have to end this right now. You too, Greg.” He sighed. “I used to just worry about Odelia. Now the two of you are running around pretending you’re Nick and Nora Charles. It’s got to stop.”

Dropping the serving spoon with a clunk, I sat my butt down in my chair and stared at Dev. “What do you mean it’s got to stop? Dev, because of us you know who killed Laurie Luke. And what about the connection between Jane Sharp and the Blond Bomber victims? You didn’t know about that until we told you.”

Dev turned in his chair to look me square in the eye. “The Laurie Luke murder may get turned over to the feds. Except for a minor role, I’m off it. And you two need to stay out of it.”

“The feds? But why?” Greg asked.

Dev shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth. He chewed before answering. “Smuggling is a federal offense. Since Laurie Luke’s murder may be entangled in those activities, they may start calling the shots, or at least try to.”

“You’re not involved at all?”

He shook his head. “Only as called upon.”

Greg took a drink of orange juice and stared at me over the rim of his glass. I could tell he was churning information around in his head. Finally, he asked, “What about Kirk Thomas and Gordon Harper? Have they brought them in yet?”

Dev took a few more bites of eggs. He shook his head. “Kirk has disappeared.”

“Wasn’t he supposed to leave for Africa today?” I pushed eggs around my plate, unable to eat.

“According to Lisa, yes, but there’s no indication that he’s left the country, at least not yet. He had reservations for a red-eye flight that he never made. The feds have alerted all the airlines and Customs to be on the lookout for him.”

Greg also started eating and passed the cinnamon bread to Dev. “Great breakfast, Odelia,” Dev said as he took two slices of bread.

The men stuffed their faces as if it was just a normal, casual brunch. I’m convinced that no matter what their ages or occupations, nothing comes between a man and his stomach.

My eggs forgotten, I cleared my tight throat with a gulp of coffee. “And Harper? What about him?”

“Without Thomas, we have nothing to directly connect him to Laurie’s murder and the smuggling.”

“But I heard them talking. I saw and heard Harper threaten Kirk and Lisa.”

Dev wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back in his chair. “I know, Odelia, and that information was very helpful. The feds have been watching Gordon Harper for a long time—another reason why we’re taking a step back—but he’s slippery, and they have never been able to grab him and keep him. When they nab him this time, it will be with evidence that will nail his coffin shut. Kirk Thomas is the key. They need to find him and get him to spill his guts.” Dev took a big swallow of coffee. “From the way you described his emotional state when you last saw him, it shouldn’t take much to get him to cave once he’s found.”

It flashed across my mind that Kirk might be dead. “And if they don’t find Kirk?”

“The feds will handle it as they see fit, Odelia. They may just continue to watch Harper, waiting for a slip-up that will bring him down.” Dev paused and once more looked me straight in the eye. “You need to butt out.” He turned to Greg. “Both of you.”

“And Lisa?” Under the table, my left foot was tapping the floor tile in annoyance. I steadied it before the noise became obvious.

“Lisa is to stay where she is for the time being. I told the feds that I have her in a safe house, and they were cool with that. Kami and I will remain the contacts with regard to her.”

I let out a laugh that sounded more like a snort. “Who’d ever have thought that Compton would be considered a safe haven?” Then another thought occurred to me. “What if they don’t find Kirk and can’t nail Harper? What about Lisa then? How long is she supposed to hide out?”

“I talked to Lisa late last night. She’s antsy to get home and get on with her life, especially now that she realizes she didn’t have anything to do with her sister’s murder. I really drilled home to her that she’s in danger. She’s gotten a leave from work and is willing to stay put for a few more days. If nothing turns up by then, we’ll have to rethink it.” Another pause. “She also said to thank you for all your help.”

“Can I talk to her?”

“It’s best that you don’t, especially since Harper knows you know her. You may inadvertently lead him to her, one way or another.”

I nodded in understanding, but my lower lip was definitely in pout mode.

Dev chuckled. “Don’t worry about Lisa, she’s fine. Zee’s taking her some clothes today and will spend time with her. She’s well cared for.”

The three of us went back to our meal, eating in silence for a few moments. My eggs were almost cold, but I ate them anyway, taking bites and chewing on autopilot while I thought over the recent turn of events. The federal government was now involved. This was, indeed, way over my stumpy little head.

Greg changed the topic. “Dev, what about Brian Eddy? Do you think he could be the Blond Bomber?”

Dev looked from Greg to me. “Dr. Eddy has a tight alibi for the Amber Jorgensen murder. As for the others, I’m sure the Laguna Beach Police will be happy to learn of the connection between Jane Sharp and the victims. I have no doubt they will look more closely at her husband and at all her past affairs and business associates.”

“Why the Laguna Beach Police?” Greg pushed away his plate and waited for the explanation.

“The Laguna Beach Police have taken the lead from the beginning. The victims were from all over Southern California, but the bodies were found in Laguna Canyon. Three different agencies have jurisdiction over various parts of that area, but the bodies were all dumped in the part of the canyon under the jurisdiction of the Laguna Beach PD. Kami and I were working with them on the Luke murder because she lived in and disappeared from Newport Beach. Several of the detectives down there are buddies of mine. So I will, of course, help out whenever and however they need me.”

As I digested this along with my eggs, Steele crossed my mind. “Mike Steele was one of Jane Sharp’s clients. Will he be questioned? It was four or five years ago.”

“He might be. Depends on how far back they go.”

After both men left for their respective workplaces, I cleared the table, unloaded the dishwasher of clean dishes, and put in the dirty ones. It felt odd to be home alone on a weekday, even if it was a Friday. I made a quick call to the office to let them know I wouldn’t be in and then another to Memorial Hospital to check on Dad. The nurse said he was resting comfortably and that the doctor had already been by to see him. They expected him to go home later in the afternoon. The nurse transferred me to his room. Dad is very hard of hearing, and I hoped he had his hearing aid in so he could pick up the phone and talk to me. I was in luck.

“Hi, honey,” the warm, familiar voice said after realizing who was calling.

“Hi, Dad. How do you feel today?”

“Not bad for an old man who took a tumble.”

“How’s your head and back?”

“Both still ache a bit, but nothing I can’t live with. Doc came by and said they want to take one more test this morning. If all is well, I’ll be home in time to watch Judge Judy.”

“I’ll stop by later, then, and wait until you can go home.”

“Don’t bother, honey. I know you’re busy. JJ can pick me up and cart me home. He’s much closer than you to the hospital.”

“JJ will probably make you walk home, Dad. Or at the very least, charge you for gas.”

There was a pause, and I wondered if Dad had fallen asleep.

“Odelia, I know you dislike Gigi and her kids and have good reason, but you have to understand something.”

I waited, my nose twitching with annoyance.

“They’re not really bad people, honey, just ignorant. It’s how Gigi was raised and how she raised JJ and Dee. True, they’re selfish, but they’re my family. Same as you.” Dad paused, letting what he said sink into my hard head.

“Will you do your old man a favor? Will you try to get along with them better? Take the high road, no matter what happens. They’re not capable of that, but you are. Both you and Greg.”

“I suppose they told you about the fight between JJ and Greg. And I’m sure they claim Greg started it.”

“I know JJ, and I know Greg. I have no doubt who really started it.” He chuckled. “I just wish I’d been there to see it.”

Dad suggested that instead of coming to the hospital, I wait and visit him at home either tomorrow or Sunday. He said a few days would cool things down in the family. He also asked me to bring Wainwright when I visited. My father loved the goofy yellow dog almost as much as he loved Greg and me.

After making the bed and straightening up, I began to think about going into the office. Things seemed to be tied up, or as least tied up enough for the authorities to step in and unravel the players and who did what to whom. But it nagged at me that I still hadn’t finished what I’d set out to do for Lil. I hadn’t proved yet that Brian Eddy was not the Blond Bomber, and it wasn’t clear that he was, either. Dev even admitted this morning that with the obvious ties to Jane Sharp, the Blond Bomber could be almost anyone who’d had contact with her and her business. It didn’t leave her husband out, but forced him to step aside and make room for other possible suspects, like the dozens of men she’d slept with in the past six years, including Mike Steele. Picking up the phone, I called Steele’s direct line.

“Steele here.”

“Hey, it’s me.”

“How’s your dad?”

“Fine, thanks. Just bumps and bruises from the fall and a nasty cut on his head. He’s going home this afternoon.”

“That’s good news. I heard you weren’t coming in today.”

“Actually, I might be in later, especially with Dad doing so well.”

“What, no Murders‘R’Us today?”

Hmmm. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling.” I paused for dramatic effect. “Steele, are you the Blond Bomber?”

“What?” His voice raised and caught in his throat, as if he’d swallowed a fishhook.

“That’s the question the police might be asking you soon—and your friend Stuart.”

“Why in the hell would they ask us that?”

I gave Steele a rundown of what I’d learned about Jane Sharp.

“So the police are going to question all of her past lovers? That could take a long time.”

“More on point, they might be questioning all of her clients in the past several years, and considering the bodies were all dumped just a few miles from where you live, they might start with you.”

“Do you really think that I’m the Blond Bomber?”