Snook Wallow by Janet Heijens

Author:Janet Heijens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dudley Court Press
Published: 2020-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Detective Garibaldi and I sat on a bench overlooking Sarasota Bay, our backs to a fountain with three magnificent dolphins flying through a spray of water. The landmark drew a constant parade of dog walkers and tourists. I couldn’t hear anything they were saying over the noise of the fountain. Presumably they couldn’t hear us either which is why I figured Geri picked the spot. As a group of children jumped up and down pointing at something, I turned. A real dolphin appeared in the gray-green water of the bay, his dome-shaped head breaking the surface to suck fresh air through his blow-hole before diving back under.

Geri took a bite out of her hot dog. On our way through the park we stopped at a Tiki Hut to buy lunch. I was skeptical about the choice, but she promised it would be the best hot dog I ever ate. After the first nibble, I agreed.

“Beautiful animals,” Geri said, following my line of sight. “The folks at Mote Marine figure we have six hundred dolphins in this bay. I never tire of seeing them play out there.”

I knew we didn’t come to discuss marine life. “Why did you bring me here, Geri?”

“You have someplace better to be?” Swallowing the last of her hot dog, she tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear before turning toward me. Her eyes were invisible behind the reflective lenses of her black-rimmed sunglasses. “Listen, I’m on your side, remember? Those are my files you’ve been pawing through. I already explained that we can’t discuss this case in my office, so I thought I’d invite you to lunch and ask how it’s going.”

Before leaving the office I turned off the cassette player, leaving the last tape in the machine. My thoughts revolved around Juliana Martinez. I wondered if she called the hotline again in an attempt to connect with someone who spoke Spanish.

“I do have a question about the hotline calls.”

“Shoot.”

“There was a Spanish speaking caller, Juliana Martinez. Does that ring a bell?”

Geri furrowed her brow, glancing at me over the rims of her sunglasses. “No, why?”

“She hung up before the guy who answered could get someone who spoke Spanish. I would like to know if she ever called back.”

“Did you check the list?”

“No, I’ll do that as soon as I get back. But I noticed something else. A lot of callers said they thought the victim was a prostitute who worked the Fish Camp on the weekends.”

“Yeah, and?”

“Those calls were never followed-up.”

Geri popped the last of her French fries into her mouth, washing them down with a swig of soda before answering. “Obviously you haven’t seen the autopsy report yet.”

An image of the first page of the coroner’s report flashed into my mind. A headshot of Jane Doe, eyes closed, painted lips, jet-black hair falling away from her face, ashy-white in death. Rather than take the time to read the entire thing in Dix’s office, I decided to make a copy and add the report to my files for later study at home.

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