WMC - First to Die

Chapter 63

EIGHT THE NEXT MORNING, I was at my desk. There were several ways I could go with this investigation. Hillary Bloom was the most direct, assuming, as Merrill had implied, that she was able to give us a name. It was clear that in a twisted way she was trying to save her family the added pain of having Kathy publicly branded as some kind of pathetic sexual victim, cheating on her husband-to-be right up until their vows. Sooner or later a name would emerge. From her, or from Seattle. Before I did anything else, I called Medved's office and rescheduled the blood treatment I had canceled for five o'clock today. After a brief wait, the receptionist said the doctor would see me himself. Maybe it was good news. Truth was, I was feeling a little stronger. Maybe the treatments were begi

Chapter 64

THE THREE OF US leaned against a stone wall in City Hall Park, picking at salad sandwiches we had bought at a nearby grocer's. The murder club meets again. "You were right," I said to Claire. I passed her a copy of the security photo showing Red Beard sneaking into the Cleveland wedding. She stared at it, her eyes focusing intensely. Claire looked up only when the confirmation of her first physical supposition brought out a curious half smile. "I only read whatever that bastard left behind." "Maybe," I said, tossing her a wink. "But I bet Righetti would've missed it." "This is true," she allowed with a satisfied beam. It was a bright, breezy late-June day; the air was fragrant from a crisp Pacific breeze. Office folk worked on their tans; secretaries gabbed in groups. I recounted what I had found in Cleveland. I never mentioned what had taken place by the lake between Chris Raleigh and me. When I finished with Merrill Shortley's shocking revelation, Cindy said, "Maybe you should've stayed out there, Lindsay." I shook my head. "It's not my case. I was only there on a consult. Now I'm ru