The Drowning Pool (33 page)

“I’ll take care of it,” he told her in a tight voice. He took her hand and caressed it, then kissed each fingertip in turn. “Will you trust me to handle the situation? There’s nothing I care about in this world more than you and the kids. I won’t let anything happen to any of you. Do you believe me?”

She nodded her head vigorously.

“Good. I want you to forget this for now.”

“Not so easy. You’re the one in the most danger, aren’t you, Mike?” Her eyes were like searchlights.

“No more than usual. It’s just a lot of cheap macho talk. One of the suspects is a self-important blowhard who overreacts.”

“You think this man’s the killer?”

“Honestly? I just don’t know, but I’m going to find out quick. That’s a promise.”

* * * *

Bert was waiting for him back at headquarters. He hadn’t seen her yet today. She’d been assigned elsewhere in the morning.

“Anything else from April?”

“Couldn’t talk to her much more. She took a short break, but then had to go back to work. She did remember that Page was flirting with Cheryl, or at least he tried to take her hand a few times.”

“Right in front of Bradshaw?”

“She thought that Bradshaw was encouraging it. He, in turn, was paying attention to the other woman at the table who, incidentally, did not look like a bimbo according to April. This lady was class, expensive clothes and jewelry.”

“We have to go after Page, hit him hard and get him talking.” He saw that Nash was in his office. “I’ll let the captain know.”

Bert gave him look of disapproval. “Why tell him anything? It might just get back to Page.”

“In spite of everything, I think he’s a straight cop.”

She rolled her eyes.

Gardner walked directly into the captain’s office, which was unusual since he always knocked first, but he was in a strange mood. Nash viewed him with a cold expression.

“We’ve established a definite connection between Bradshaw and George Page. A witness saw them together.”

“Just how reliable is your witness?”

“Reliable enough.”

“Damn you!” Nash exploded, his face reddening. “Couldn’t you just leave it alone? You’re supposed to be a professional, for Christ sakes.”

“And just how professional am I supposed to feel when Page threatens my family? What if it were yours?”

“Mike, why this super cop routine? That’s not your style. Just lay off Page.”

“If we really are professionals, as you claim, then his money and influence shouldn’t buy him any special treatment or favors from us. I’m not out to get the guy, only to find out the truth. He’s hiding something, and I need to know what it is.”

“So damn determined to make me choose up sides, aren’t you? Well, if Page killed Bradshaw, nail his ass—but make sure you get evidence that’ll hold up in court. I know you’ve been busting your balls on this case. Just do it right.”

Gardner didn’t say anything more to Nash; he extended his hand. Nash pushed it away. “No, just get the hell out of here! I’m jeopardizing my pension, and I’m not happy about it.”

Bert was waiting for him. He explained the gist of the conversation.

“I’ve got no use for people like him.”

“In three years, Nash can retire on a comfortable pension. He could even work at something else if he chooses. He’s not ready for a rocking chair. Plus, he’s got three daughters to support, two of them still in college.”

Bert shook her head, braids turning. “All the more reason not to trust him.”

Soon, they were trying to plan a strategy. Whatever Page was hiding, the lady who had dinner with him, Bradshaw and Cheryl McNeill might be the key. He was pretty certain that woman was Page’s wife. There was only one thing to do: he had to find a way to get into the house and talk with her.

Feverishly, his mind began devising a plan that would get him inside the gates of Page’s self-styled fortress. He and Bert went down to the police garage, looking for the right sort of vehicle. He found one finally in a white panel truck used for surveillance. Gardner checked it out; there were even several pairs of white coveralls inside as well as caps. Perfect. “I’m going to get into Page’s place, but it’ll be undercover. And I don’t want you involved.”

“How come?” Bert was challenging him again. That figured.

“For one thing, they’re likely to recognize you. And the two of us together, for certain they’ll make the connection. Besides, I don’t want you in danger of being thrown off the force. Not when you just started getting used to working here.”

“I’ll make my own decisions,” Bert said.

* * * *

General Exterminators was a company run by an old friend. Gardner had worked with Jim Blodgett in a disadvantaged youth program several years ago, and the two of them came to respect each other. Jim, a large man in his early fifties, had a way with troubled kids, just as Gardner did.

They shook hands, made a little small talk, and then Gardner got down to business.

“I need a favor.” He pointed to the white panel truck he’d signed out of the police garage. “I’m working undercover and need some equipment to make me look like an exterminator.”

“Not a problem.”

Gardner felt both gratitude and relief. Maybe he could pull this off after all.

NINETEEN

Kim saw Mike drive up to the house in a white van. He walked up the driveway carrying coveralls. There was a certain look about him, a faraway expression, as if he were lost in thought.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m making plans.”

“What sort of plans?”

“Hey, who’s the interrogator here?”

She studied him, her eyebrow cocked. “Answering questions with questions again. Very shifty. Come on, Mike, give. I’m part of this. Tell me what’s going on.”

His expression softened. He followed her into the living room. They sat down together, holding hands, and he told her his plan.

She listened thoughtfully. “Even if you disguise yourself as an exterminator, won’t Page recognize you?”

“I did some checking. Page won’t be working from home tomorrow morning. He’ll be at a construction site and then his office.”

“I guess I shouldn’t ask how you found that out?”

“Hey, it’s not just you reference librarians who know how to get information. I got my sources.” He gave her a smug smile.

“Okay, but even if you manage to get in, how do you know that Mrs. Page will be there?”

“It seems she’s reclusive, rarely goes out. So the odds are in my favor.”

Kim was worried. Mike was planning to take a terrible risk. She knew it was all about protecting her and his daughters. She wanted to help make it work.

“You realize you’re endangering your job?”

“Hey, being a cop is a risky business regardless,” he said with a shrug.

“But you’ll be going undercover without authorization. I don’t like it at all.”

He looked at her intently. “Got a better idea?”

“Well, maybe.”

She told him what she was thinking. As she expected, he argued with her.

“You’re nuts. You know that? Practically certifiable.”

“I don’t disagree, but it’s the only thing that might work, because, frankly, I don’t see Mrs. Page just opening up to you. You’re a man and a police officer who’ll be invading her privacy. Anyway, they’ll be watching you work. You’ll never be able to get near her. You need an accomplice. By the way, can you fake it, really look like an exterminator?”

“Sure thing. Blodgett gave me spraying equipment, gloves and goggles. I can make it look real.”

“I’ll call in sick for work again.”

“I’m really sorry about this,” he said.

She could see that he meant it. He needed her help. She was convinced there was no way he could do this alone.

“The girls should be here soon. After I call in, I’ll fix dinner.”

“I’ll help you. But it’s just you and me for supper,” he said. “The camp took the kids on a trip today so they’ll be getting home late.”

“Really?” she said. “Well, then, I guess food can wait.”

“Not hungry?” Mike asked.

“Not so much.” Her voice was husky and she gave him that special look she had when she was aroused. They were definitely in close communication.

He took her into his arms. “Turns out I am starving, but not for food.”

* * * *

The following day, Bert was outside of Page’s gates as they’d arranged. She would stand-by as unobtrusively as possible in their unmarked car. Gardner would signal if she were needed.

Gardner found his palms sweating against the steering wheel. He drove up to the main gate, put on a pair of dark-rimmed eyeglasses and pulled the cap low on his head before honking the horn. The guard he remembered from the last visit came forward.

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Exterminator come to do some work.”

“Nobody told me nothing about an exterminator coming today.” The man eyed him with suspicion and then glanced at the panel truck. He had a dark beard that, although shaved recently, left a coarse blue-black texture along his cheeks and jaw-line; it made him look sinister.

“They must have forgotten. I got my work order right here.” He held up the paper without actually showing it to the man, hoping that his lie sounded believable. Even with all the trouble he’d gone to setting this up, there was no assurance he would be able to get inside. Maybe his plan, born of desperation, had been stupid after all.

“Mr. Page ain’t here right now, buddy.” The man seemed uncertain.

Gardner thought he was buying the story. Gardner felt a sense of relief suffuse his body. “Mr. Page won’t be happy if you send me away. It’ll be some time before I can come back again. This is our busy season.”

“Yeah, well, all right, I guess it’s okay. I mean, they’ll have to clear you at the house anyway. I’ll call ahead and let them know you’re coming.”

Gardner drove through as the guard opened the gate. He called back to Kim, who was concealed from view.

“So far so good. Just stay down back there until I call for you.”

* * * *

Kim nodded her head without saying a word. Her posture was stiff and tense. In her white coveralls with her hair tightly pulled under a cap, she looked like an ordinary worker. Hopefully, she would draw little attention to herself. She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

So far their luck was holding. The huge, white colonial dwelling loomed against the bright, cobalt summer sky. She noticed the large brick fireplaces built on either side of the house and impressive white pillars at the front. The Pages lived well. She wondered what sort of person Mrs. Page was. Well, she would find out soon enough.

* * * *

Gardner left the white van at the front entrance and placed the keys in his side pocket. The spraying equipment and goggles were clutched in either hand for the sake of believability. Then he rang the doorbell and took a long, deep breath. He knew very well that what he had in mind wasn’t going to be easy to accomplish, but he didn’t know anything else that he could do.

The same hulking manservant answered the door, the voice more gruff than before. Gardner pulled the cap well down on his forehead, feeling sweat drip down his armpits.

“We aren’t expecting any exterminator,” the man said with a hard look. “Get lost!”

“Mr. Page knows all about it. He wants the company in to look over the house. It’s overdue for inspection.”

“He ain’t said nothin’ to me.”

“Probably didn’t think it was important enough. ’Course, I could always come back some other time, but by then those little critters could have eaten away your foundation. I see many a house sustain structural damage for want of care. I could probably come back again in a few months though. We’re awfully busy these days because we’re the best in town.”

“Yeah, well you sure talk a lot. Okay, come in. We’ll see.” He eyed Gardner narrowly.

Gardner walked briskly past him into the entry foyer. He looked around for the door that led down to the basement.

“Be right back,” he said. “Have to get some stuff.”

Back at the truck, he signaled Kim. She took some equipment and followed him inside.

“My assistant will be checking things out upstairs while I work in the basement,” he told the big man with an air of authority.

The man followed him down the stairs with a heavy step. Gardner noted the casual shirt and slacks and the jacket that only partly hid his holstered weapon. Gardner decided even if the big man looked like he’d served time at Attica, he was little more than a butler.

Gardner played his part well, inspecting the basement with thoroughness. His every move was watched by the retainer with the aquiline nose resembling an eagle’s beak.

“Hey, I just remembered something. This house was termite-proofed when it was built. What are you up to?”

Gardner’s heart began to palpitate. “Haven’t you ever heard of carpenter ants?” he said. “They’ll chew your foundation through good as any termite. And they can be anywhere in the house.” He hoped the white coveralls he wore lent him an air of authenticity.

“Don’t termite-proofing take care of the ants too?”

“Nope, they’re a hardy breed. Entirely different species of insect. You’ve heard of the killer ants down in South America? Well, these are related. They can eat through anything if they’re not stopped.”

“No kidding?”

“Well, I got to look around, fella. These ants breed awful fast. No telling where they are.”

The sandpaper voice sounded anxious. “Okay, just do what you have to quick.”

“My intention exactly.” He walked around with Lurch following close behind.

* * * *

Kim didn’t waste a second. She hurried up the stairs to the second landing and quickly looked around. Her heart was beating violently. It crossed her mind that she was now guilty of criminal trespass. It wasn’t only Mike who could lose his job. And they might both be thrown in jail. She recalled horror stories of what happened to people in prisons and shuddered involuntarily. What was she doing? She prided herself on being a sensible person. This was totally insane! And yet she kept on going.