Irish Car Bomb by Steven Henry

Author:Steven Henry [Henry, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, crime, police, procedural, bomber, K9, dogs
Publisher: Clickworks Press
Published: 2018-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

When Erin buzzed the O'Connell apartment and identified herself, Cynthia paused so long that Erin thought she might have to head back to the precinct for that search warrant. But then the lobby door clicked open.

Cynthia met her at the door to the apartment, but stood in the doorway, leaving Erin and Rolf in the hall. “Detective,” she said, “I really am quite busy at present, and I cannot imagine what you have to say that was not covered at our last encounter.”

“Ma'am, I just have a few questions about the case,” Erin replied. “If I could come in for a few moments?”

“Must you bring that horrid animal with you?”

Rolf stared up at the woman with cool contempt.

“Ma'am, he's a well-trained police dog,” Erin said. “He didn't damage anything the last time he was here. He'll be right beside me the whole time.”

Cynthia sighed. “Very well, if you must,” she said, stepping to one side.

Erin was surprised to see how much the apartment had changed. At least half the clutter had been removed, and most of the rest stood in open packing boxes. “Are you in the process of moving, Mrs. O'Connell?” she asked.

“No indeed,” Cynthia said. “I am simply divesting myself of unwanted encumbrances.”

Erin blinked. “I see.”

“These useless bric-a-brac belonged to William,” Cynthia explained. “They have neither sentimental nor aesthetic value. However, they have some monetary worth, and shall serve to defray the expenses brought upon me by his passing.”

“Fair enough,” Erin said.

“Now that we have sufficient room, I can offer you a seat,” Cynthia said. “Please.”

“Rolf, sitz,” Erin commanded as she sat at one end of the living-room couch. Rolf took up his place beside the arm of the couch.

“Now then,” Cynthia said, seating herself on a straight-backed hardwood chair and clasping her hands in her lap. “What were your questions?”

“I understand there were some economic difficulties you and William were experiencing,” Erin said. “And I know there was a small life-insurance policy for William.”

Cynthia bristled. “If you are suggesting that I had anything to do with his death—” she began indignantly.

“No, ma'am,” Erin said. “I wanted to know whether there was a similar policy for you.”

Cynthia stopped short. She cocked her head at Erin, very much like an inquisitive bird. “Why ever would you ask such a thing?”

Erin thought of what Carlyle had said. “Bombs aren't particular about who they kill,” she said. “I need to know whether anyone would benefit economically from the death of either William... or you.”

“There is a policy in my name,” Cynthia said. “But I still don't see—“

“Ma'am, you had a meeting of your garden club on the morning of the bombing,” Erin said. “Did your husband need the car for anything before that meeting?”

“No.”

“Then why was he in the garage?”

“You would have to ask him,” Cynthia said sharply. “He certainly did not bother to inform me of all his movements.”

“Ma'am, who are the beneficiaries of your life insurance?”

“My sister, and William, of course.”

“And what is the value of the policy?”

“Three hundred thousand dollars.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.