Chapter 34

Thanks to a call from Dino to his LAPD counterpart, an officer was waiting for Stone and him as they walked into the department's Pacific Division Station, and they were immediately escorted to the lead detective's office. A placard on his desk identified him as Kelvin Eldridge.

"Which of you is Bacchetti?" the detective asked.

"He's Commissioner Bacchetti," Stone said.

Eldridge didn't look particularly pleased to be reminded of Dino's rank. "I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. I couldn't give a rat's ass if you're friends with the chief or the damn president, for that matter. We do things by the book here. So, who you know isn't going to get you any special treatment."

"We aren't asking for special treatment," Stone said.

The detective looked at him over the top of his glasses. "And you are?"

"Stone Barrington."

"Mr. Barrington, the fact that you and Commissioner Bacchetti are standing in my office right now says otherwise."

Dino said, "Detective Eldridge, we're not here to cause you any problems. In fact, we're here to help."

"Yeah, I heard our person of interest is a friend of yours."

"Good," Stone said, "that'll save us some time. I'd like to speak with her."

"She's in the interview room, so that's not happening."

"You're saying she's being questioned without a lawyer present?"

"Why? Are you her lawyer?"

"I am."

"Of course you are." He looked past them. "Kwan!"

A female detective named Kwan entered the office. "Yes, sir?"

"Is the Reyes woman still being questioned?"

"No. She asked for her lawyer."

"Did she give you a name?"

"Stone Barrington. I was just about to call him."

Eldridge closed his eyes for a moment. "No need. Detective, meet Stone Barrington."

Kwan looked at Stone, surprised.

"Are you planning on arresting my client, Detective?" Stone asked.

"That'll depend on what we learn when we question her."

"Let me save you the trouble. Even if that conversation happens, you won't be arresting her."

"And you know this why?"

"First, she arrived on the scene a few minutes before the police did. You can talk to her Uber driver to confirm that." Monica had told him as much as she could before the police barged in.

"She could have gone and come back," Eldridge countered.

"Actually, she couldn't have. Before she went to the motel, she was at the Arrington, getting a massage. And before that, she was with the commissioner and me."

"For how long?" Kwan asked.

"With both of us since breakfast. With me since before we both saw Tristan last night, when he was still alive."

"You saw this Tristan guy last night?"

"I saw him, too," Dino said.

"Maybe we should be interviewing you two."

"We'd be happy to oblige, but the conclusion will be the same."

"You'll give sworn statements about all this?" Eldridge asked.

"We will."

Twenty minutes later, Stone was shown into the windowless interview room where Monica had been waiting. She jumped up as he entered and hugged him.

"Oh, thank God!"

"Let's get you out of here."

"I'm free to go?"

"You have a solid alibi. Me."

She kissed him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. But next time, think twice before heading into a situation like that alone."

"You're right, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone, but I was worried that Tristan would disappear again."

They joined Dino in the hallway and soon were ensconced in an Arrington Porsche Cayenne. Now that they were away from the prying eyes and ears of the LAPD, Stone said, "Tell me exactly what happened."

She went through the afternoon' events. "When they brought me to the station, I did exactly what you told me, and said that I wanted to talk to my lawyer."

"You didn't tell them anything?"

"Not a word."

"What about at the scene?"

"I was too shocked to say anything."

"That should have been the first sign you weren't the murderer," Dino said.

"Describe what you found there," Stone said.

"I had to flick on a light because it was so dark. That's when I saw Tristan on the bed. I thought he was asleep, but…" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "When I found Dalton on the bathroom floor, I called you."

"What about wounds? Perhaps from a bullet or a knife?"

She thought for a moment. "Their faces were bruised and had a few cuts. Tristan's nose looked broken. Oh, I remember a large dark spot on Dalton's shirt." She touched the area right below her ribs. "Somewhere around here."

"Was there a lot of blood on the floor?"

"Actually, I don't recall seeing any. But I was pretty freaked out at that point."

"What about on the walls of the bedroom or bathroom?"

"I don't think so."

"If they'd been killed at the motel, there should have been blood all over the place," Dino said.

"You're saying they weren't killed there?"

"I doubt it," Stone said. "I think someone was trying to set you up."

"But why?"

"The same reason anyone gets set up," Dino said. "You're getting in someone's way."

"My investigation."

"Bingo."

"But I'm not any closer to answers than I was a week ago."

"In that time, two potential sources have died. Just because you didn't get the chance to talk to them doesn't mean you're not on the right track."

"I know you're right, but it sure doesn't feel like it. I'm not sure what to do next."

"There is one person we know of who is still alive."

Monica furrowed her brow. "Who?"

"The guy who chased Tristan out of the Roosevelt."

"We don't even know who he is, or where to find him."

"We don't know yet."

"Do you have any reason to believe Dalton and Tristan knew each other?" Dino asked.

"I wouldn't have thought so before today, but that seems likely now."

"Is there someone you trust at Vitale who can search Dalton's office? He may have left a clue, perhaps in his calendar or contacts."

"My friend Patricia. Oh, I almost forgot. She called me earlier. There was another fire at a client's house last night. He owned one of your mother's paintings."

"Was it destroyed?"

"We don't know yet, but I suspect not. The fire got out of control and has already burned several hundred acres. I'm not sure they can even get to the house yet. One thing they do know, the owner of the house died in the fire."

She explained the circumstances.

"Was his car found nearby?" Dino asked.

"No. And I can't imagine he would have tried to outrun the fire without shoes."

"If this was another theft," Stone said, "he could have been home when they broke in. They probably dropped him at a spot they thought would be far enough away from the fire."

Dino nodded. "But then the fire didn't behave like they assumed it would."

"Or the fire department didn't get to it as fast as the thieves expected." Stone looked at Monica. "Has anyone ever looked into who called the fires in?"

"Not that I know of," she said.

"There should be recordings of the calls. If we can compare them, I bet we'll hear the same voice, at least a few of the times."

"If that's true," Monica said, "that would be solid evidence I've been right all along." Her optimism soured. "But I'm not in a position where anyone would just hand over the recordings."

"You may not be, but I know someone who is…" Stone said, then looked at Dino.

"Are you asking me to abuse my powers?" Dino said.

"Not at all. Monica, which city is home to the largest percentage of fine art collectors insured by your company?"

"That's easy. New York."

Stone turned back to Dino. "It's not abuse of power. It's crime prevention."

"It's a marvel to watch a spin doctor such as yourself at work," Dino said.

"I live to serve."