Capital Crimes by Jonathan Kellerman Read Free Book Online Page A

no-frills coffee. Of late, Barnes was adding milk to the froufrou level because his stomach rebelled when he drank too much black. Melanie’s was about half a storefront wide, and when the place got crowded, he had to walk through the door sideways.
    Laura Novacente was sitting at what used to be their favorite corner table, her long gray hair tied up in a knot. When he sat down opposite her, she slid the cappuccino in front of him. “Hey there. How’s it going?”
    “You’re looking good. I like that red dress on you. Brings out your coloring.”
    “The tape recorder is going, Smooth-guy.” Laura pointed to a small lump under a napkin.
    Barnes smiled. “It was a compliment. If I get slapped with sexual harassment you’re going to be hearing from my attorney for entrapment.”
    “What entrapment?”
    “The red dress. It brings out your coloring.”
    Laura laughed. “Is your attorney cute?”
    “She’s very cute.”
    They drank coffee for several moments. Laura said, “Time for business: do you have something I can print?”
    “All business?”
    “I don’t waste the paper’s money on flirting.”
    “How about this,” said Barnes. We are ‘still at an initial inquiry stage, exploring all open avenues.’”
    Laura got that I’m-hungry-and-grumpy look. “You can do better, Will.”
    Barnes reached over, uncovered the tape recorder, switched it off, and looked her in the eye. “I’ve got about five minutes before someone realizes I’m not where I’m supposed to be. In short, we got plenty of suspects, but no good ones.”
    “What about her partner, Minette?”
    “What about her?”
    “I heard there was trouble in paradise.”
    “Like what?”
    “Just that. Rumors.”
    “Thanks, I’ll look into it.”
    “C’mon, Willie. I promise I won’t print anything. Just give me an idea of what you’re thinking.”
    “Your promises aren’t worth much, Laura.”
    She showed teeth. “Neither are yours, darling, but let’s not hold it against either one of us.”
    “Okay…” He leaned over the table, so close he could smell her perfume. “We’re working on Minette’s alibi. She claims she was with a friend part of the night, but not the entire night.”
    “Who’s the friend?”
    “She’s not too forthcoming on that. We’re looking into it. Any suggestions?”
    “I hear Minette was in and out of a series of relationships before she settled down with Davida. She’s pissed off a lot of people. She also drinks.”
    Willie nodded.
    “That doesn’t surprise you.”
    “Davida’s mother called Minette a drunk. Think she’s cheating on Davida?”
    “I wouldn’t be surprised.” Laura took a sip of her café mocha. “I gave you something, so how about a little reciprocity?”
    “Davida had lots of enemies in the capital.”
    “And the sky’s blue, so what? Everyone knows the capital runs on bile but how many politicians are mowed down with a twelve-gauge shotgun?”
    “Who told you about the weapon?”
    “Word gets around.” Laura ran a finger across her lips.
    Barnes stared at her.
    She said, “Loose lips at the crime scene—your own people.”
    “Great. Anything else I should know about?”
    “Don’t be sulky, Will, it’s how I make my living. How about giving me something that every other reporter doesn’t have?”
    With her tentacles, maybe she’d learn something and trade it back to him. “We’re investigating some hate mail.”
    “From…”
    “You can use the hate-mail part, but not the name. Agreed?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “I mean it, Laura.”
    “So do I. Who’s the hate-mailer?”
    “Some whack job named Harry Modell, executive director of Families Under God. Ever hear of them?”
    “I have. Modell sent her nasty stuff, huh?”
    “According to Lucille Grayson. The old woman still has the letters. Plus—and you can print this—rumor has it that Ray and Brent Nutterly from the White Tower Radicals are going to be charged with the egging incident. Police have