Hangman (28 page)

“You live alone?”

“Unfortunately I do.”

“So tell me about the next day. Monday, the day you found the body. What time did you wake up?”

“Seven-thirty. That’s when I always get up. I went to another one of Keith’s jobs. The Rosen project on Chloe Lane.”

“What time did you arrive at the Rosen project?”

“About eight-thirty. I was there all morning. Mrs. Rosen was there all morning. She brought me out some coffee. She can tell you I was there.”

“When did you leave the Rosen project to go to the Grossman project?”

“Around twelve-thirty, I left the Rosen project. I stopped off at Ranger’s to eat lunch. That’s a deli. I ate a corned beef sandwich with mustard. That I remember because it’s what I threw up. I can’t eat corned beef anymore and I used to love corned beef. The whole thing is fucked up.”

“How’d you pay for your meal?”

“Like I pay for all of them. In cash.”

“That doesn’t help me.”

“Sorry,” Tinsley mocked. “Didn’t know I would need receipts to get me out of criminal charges.”

“What time did you leave Ranger’s?”

“About one-thirty. I came straight to the Grossman project. It’s about fifteen minutes away. You can clock it yourself.”

“What did you do while you ate your sandwich at Ranger’s?”

“I dunno. I just ate. I mighta caught up on some phone calls. Sometimes I do that.”

“On your cell?”

“How else? I didn’t borrow the landline.”

“Do you have any objections to my going through your cell phone records?”

“Be my guest.”

Decker said, “Better yet, how about handing over your cell?”

Tinsley shrugged. “Fine.” He fished into the pocket of his nylon jacket and gave Decker the cell.

“Give me a couple of minutes with this.” Decker stood up and left, returning to the video room, where Marge and Oliver were still studying Chuck on the monitor. Tinsley had laid his head between his arms on the table and appeared to be going to sleep.

“Check this out, Marge.” Decker handed her the phone. “What do you two think?”

Oliver said, “I’m always suspicious of a guy who tries to nap after being grilled by the police.”

“He said that the card that he gave Adrianna is in his nightstand,” Marge pointed out. “Why don’t we see if we can get him to agree to a search of his place?”

“Good idea.”

“He could be lying. But I don’t think he is. If his story checks out, he wouldn’t have had enough time since he was accounted for from eight-thirty until he called the police.”

“If you believe him,” Oliver said. “Besides, how long does it take for a quick screw?”

“If it was only a quick screw, it wouldn’t take too long,” Marge said. “But if it’s a screw with games that resulted in murder and stringing her up with cable wires on the rafters all the while looking around to make sure that no one’s watching, I’d say it could take a hell of a long time.”

W
HILE MARGE WAS
checking out Tinsley’s phone, Decker went back into the interview room and sat down at the table. “What did you and Adrianna talk about?”

He sighed. “Just stuff. We had a good rappaport.”

“Rapport?”

“Yeah, rapport. I don’t even know what I’m saying.” Tinsley paused. “We talked about a lot of stuff.”

“Can you be more specific?”

Tinsley blew out air. “I talked about my job…how I liked working with my hands and seeing that I’d actually done something at the end of the day.”

Decker nodded.

“She said she really liked her job for the same reason…that she felt she was doing something important.” He attempted to collect his thoughts. “She said her job was real stressful…taking care of sick babies.” Another pause. “Oh…now I remember. She said something about her job being more stressful ’cause she was in the process of getting out of a bad relationship. But she still had to work with the guy.”

“Did she mention the man by name?”

“No…only that he worked where she worked. They didn’t always bump into each other, but it was enough that when they were fighting, it was awkward.”

“I get that,” Decker said.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s comin’ back.” Tinsley was getting excited. “She said she was about to break free. All she needed was an excuse.”

“What did you say to that?”

“I think I said something dumb like…I hope I’m your excuse. She laughed.” He looked pensive. “She had a nice laugh. She was a pretty girl. I had a good time.” He dropped his forehead in his hands. “Seeing her like that…it still makes me sick to think about it.”

The man’s feelings may have been legit, but that didn’t mean he didn’t kill her. “Chuck, you’ve got a couple of choices right now.”

“I don’t like the sound of this.”

“I can either book you for tampering with material evidence and obstruction of justice. Or I won’t do anything just yet, if you agree to cool your heels here in the police station until we can check out your phone and get a timeline for where you were the day of the murder.”

“That’s a choice? Either way I’m here.”

“You’re here but not in jail.”

Tinsley thought about that. “How long do you think this is going to take?”

“It might take the better part of the evening. I can get you some dinner if you’re hungry.” Tinsley’s response was a shrug. “Where did you find the business card that you gave Adrianna?”

“In her pocket.”

“And now it’s in your nightstand drawer?”

“Last time I checked.”

Decker wondered why he didn’t just throw it away. Maybe he kept it as a trophy. “Would you mind if we go inside your apartment to pick up the card? It could have forensic evidence on it.”

“Like my DNA or my fingerprint?”

“You took it, so both are a possibility.”

“Yeah, go get the card. Maybe it’ll help me.”

Decker said, “While we’re in your apartment, do you mind if we look around?”

“For what?”

“I’ll know it when I see it.”

“I have a couple of ounces in my bottom dresser drawer.” He threw up his hands. “I don’t know why I just told you that. I must be in the mood for confession after all these years of being a lapsed Catholic.”

“If a couple of ounces are the worst of it, you’ll be okay. So is it a yes or a no?”

Tinsley reached in his pocket and gave him the keys. “Help yourself. Maybe you can be a pal and do the dishes while you’re there.”

“Maybe not. Is your apartment alarmed?”

“Nah, don’t have all that much to steal. Just a flat screen. But I get the sports package. The Lakers are playing tonight. When you get back, don’t tell me the score. I’ve got it on DVR. I’ll watch it when I get home…whenever the hell that is.”

LIKE ANYTHING CHOREOGRAPHED,
timing was everything. The food arrived ten minutes after Decker went back into the interview room with Tinsley. Everyone pitched in to set things up and all was ready for the Loo just as the interview was drawing to a close. When Decker came out of the room, he was assaulted by a raucous “surprise” by family and coworkers. Totally disoriented, he looked around and saw what everyone had done for his birthday. Rina came up and hugged him. “Happy big one, Lieutenant.”

Decker realized with a gasp that his sons were present. “What are you guys doing here?”

“I’ll go anywhere for the free food.” Jacob hugged him fiercely. “Happy birthday, Dad.”

Sammy was next. “Happy birthday, Dad.” He gave him a bear hug. “Like they say, till a hundred and twenty.”

“So I guess I’m at the halfway mark.” Laughs all around. Decker was still dazed. “Is this all for me?”

“No, it’s for Chuck Tinsley,” Marge said.

“He wants a hamburger, by the way.”

“He’ll have to make do with corned beef on rye.”

“Corned beef makes him sick. Try turkey.”

Another round of laughs. Marge clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Time’s a-ticking and some of us have work to do. Grub is served, so dig in.”

Decker spent the next twenty minutes shaking hands, hugging his family, and accepting congratulations on his upcoming birthday as his coworkers formed a long line to the makeshift buffet. There were platters of roasted chicken, corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, bologna, potato salad, coleslaw, chopped liver, olives and pickles, onions and tomatoes, and baskets of sliced breads—rye and challah.

Decker turned to Rina. “How did you plan this without my knowing?”

“I didn’t plan it. The boys and Cindy did everything. What I can’t understand is how they did it without
my
knowing.”

“You should have seen the look on the ladies’ faces when they saw us,” Sammy said. “Eema was funny, but Hannah was priceless.”

“I did kinda freak when I saw them.” Hannah rested her head on Sammy’s arm.

Decker said, “How’s Rachel, Sam?”

“Studying for finals. She sends her regards.”

“Ilana sends her regards, too,” Jacob said. “She really wanted to come, but she also has finals.”

“Next time,” Decker said. “You’re staying the weekend? Of course you are.”

Jake said, “We even pulled out the trundle because it appears we’ve been supplanted by a younger model.” When Gabe turned red, he added, “Go eat some corned beef, kid. You need some protein.”

“I’m still full from the pizza.”

“Well, then go make me a sandwich. I’m hungry.”

“Excuse me?” Rina said. “Is that how I taught you to talk to guests?”

“He’s not a guest, he’s an interloper.”

“It’s fine.” Gabe smiled shyly. “What kind of sandwich do you want?”

“Pastrami and smoked turkey on rye, mustard, no mayo, and all the sides.”

“Got it.” Gabe turned to brace himself for the onslaught at the buffet.

When he left, Jacob said, “Nice kid. I understand he’s dealing with a couple of issues.”

“Aren’t we all?” Decker threw his arm around his sons. “Thank you, Yonkel. Thank you, Shmueli. I will never forget this day.”

“I love you, old man,” Jacob told him. “Now can I have the car?”

Cindy came up to her father, munching on a drumstick. She kissed his cheek. “Happy birthday, Daddy. You deserve all this and more.”

“I love you, princess.” He kissed her cheek, peeking at her abdomen that had blossomed into a nice bump. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m always famished around this time.”

“When’s the big day?” Jake asked.

Cindy said. “Christmas or New Year’s…something like that.”

Jake laughed. “You don’t know the due date?”

“I wasn’t listening too closely once the test turned up positive.” Cindy mussed up her stepbrother’s hair, then took another bite of chicken. “Wow, this is good. Koby, can you get me another drumstick?”

Koby finished off his turkey on rye and wiped his hands on a napkin. “Not a problem. I’m ready for seconds anyway. Anyone else want something?”

“I’ll take another sandwich,” Sammy said.

“Hannah?” Koby asked.

“Smoked turkey on rye.”

“Rina?”

“Same as Hannah.”

“Lieutenant?”

“I’m okay.”

“But you haven’t eaten anything,” Rina said.

“I’m still trying to figure out how all this happened.”

“You figure it out,” Koby said. “I’ll get the food.”

“There are going to be lots of leftovers,” Rina announced. “You guys will have to take all this food off my hands.”

“Why don’t we eat it for Shabbos so you won’t have to cook,” Sammy said.

“This is like the first time in years that all my family is going to be together,” Rina said. “Do you honestly think I’m going to serve you cold cuts for Shabbos?”

Decker said, “How about if we let the guys and gals who work here take the food home to their families?”

“I think that would be a dandy idea,” Rina said.

“So if the cold cuts are vetoed for dinner, can I put in a vote for rack of lamb?” Jacob said. “Medium rare with green beans and garlic mash?”

Rina rolled her eyes. “Anything else, Yonkel?”

“A nice apple pie never hurt anyone.”

Koby brought Cindy a drumstick, which she polished all off in four bites. “I love you all, but we can’t stay. Both of us have to go back to work.”

“Wait,” Sammy said. “You have to stick around for the cake.”

“A cake?” Decker said. “You’re not actually going to sing me ‘Happy Birthday’?” He turned to Rina for help. “Don’t let them do this.”

“It’s not my decision.”

Decker was getting desperate. “I have to get back to work. I’ve got a possible murder suspect sitting in the interview room wondering what’s going on.”

“Actually, I just checked in on him,” Oliver said. “He’s very happy with his smoked turkey on rye.”

Sammy said, “Go get the cake, Yonkel.”

“You get the cake.”

Marge said, “I’ll get the cake.” She turned to Oliver. “C’mon, Detective, let’s go embarrass the Loo.”

The cake was brought in, looking more like a welding torch than a pastry. There were sixty candles plunged into chocolate icing. Decker braced for the misery as the entire squad room erupted into an off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The only saving grace, in his opinion, was that he was able to blow out all the candles in a single breath.

As Rina was cutting the cake, Decker took Marge aside. “What’s going on with Tinsley’s phone?”

“Well, Chuck did make some calls on that Monday during the time he was supposedly at lunch at Ranger’s. I’ve got someone checking on the towers to see where the calls were bounced from and then we’ll work backward.”

“Is the cell tower for Ranger’s the same cell tower for the Grossman project?”

“I’m checking that out as well.”

“Tinsley gave us permission to get the business card that he took off of Adrianna’s body and also to search his house.”

“Good job, Rabbi. Now I know why you’re in charge.”

“You know, I really need to get started on that. I won’t be able to keep stalling him forever.”

“No, Pete, you need to stay here with your party guests. Oliver and I will go over to Tinsley’s apartment.” Marge held out her hand. “Keys, please?”

“You’re not cutting me a break, are you?”

“To every season, there is a time.” She clamped a hand on Decker’s shoulder. “Loo, this is your time.”

A SEARCH OF
Tinsley’s place revealed the business card in the nightstand, a few ounces of cheap weed, and most important in the detectives’ eyes, a bag of women’s jewelry. Tinsley swore that the baubles belonged to his late mother, but Decker knew that killers often took trophies. He needed to make sure that none of the trinkets belonged
to Adrianna Blanc and that meant calling up Kathy Blanc and asking her if she could identify any of the pieces. Tomorrow was going to be a hellish morning.

Tinsley was run through the local system—no wants or warrants—then his prints were submitted to AFIS. Nothing popped up. He gave a buccal swab for DNA. Decker now faced a dilemma. He could either arrest Tinsley on lesser charges, which would guarantee no further cooperation on his part. Or he could spring him from the station house, thereby keeping the lines of communication open. Decker chose to let him go, keeping Tinsley in the crosshairs, assigning a cruiser to keep watch on the man.

Both Ranger’s (the deli where Tinsley ate) and the Grossman place (the site where he worked) used the same tower for cell phones, so that was a bust. The next best option—and far from optimal—was to go to the eatery and see if anyone could put Tinsley there at twelve-thirty Monday afternoon for lunch.

It was after one in the morning by the time Decker finished the paperwork and made it home. He was still on a high from his party, but it was tempered by the full schedule he knew he had tomorrow. He hoped to get a little bit of solitude before he dropped off to sleep. The house was quiet when he opened the door, lit with a lone living-room lamp. He expected to find Rina reading, but it was Gabe bundled up in blankets.

“What are you doing up so late?”

The boy took off his glasses and put down his book. “It was really cramped with the three of us in the bedroom, so I offered to sleep on the couch.”

“Nice of you, but you’re not sleeping.”

“No, I don’t do that too much these days.”

“How’s your hand?”

“It’ll be fine.” He rubbed his arms. “That was a stroke of luck…hurting my hand. No way I could have gotten an audition with Nicholas Mark. He’s got a waiting list for students that stretches to the moon.”

“You must have impressed him.”

“I don’t know how. I made mistakes. Probably fewer than if I knew he’d been listening.” He drew his knees up to his chin. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” Decker sat down. “What’s up?”

“You know that I did talk to Chris on Tuesday. I was reluctant to tell you everything because I promised him I wouldn’t tell you about the conversation until three days later. He wanted time to get out of L.A.”

Decker paused. “And that’s what he said? He needed time to get out of L.A.?”

“More or less. You probably think he’s gone into hiding. I think he was trying to shake you off so he could find my mom without you bugging him.”

Decker was quiet.