Page 18 of Hostile Witness
“Well, I don’t mind missing bingo once in a while, but Mabel here, she enjoys it so much I’d hate to see her miss it. All of her girlfriends play, and their husbands, too. What do you think, honey pie? Shall we let this nice officer drive us to bingo?”
“I’d love to go, Arnie, as long as you come with me,” she said, and took a sip of her coffee.
“Okay, it’s settled, then. Let’s get the photos of my bruises done, and we’ll make like a ripe coconut and split.”
Mabel giggled at his less-than-stellar comparison.
Ethan helped Arnie remove his shirt and took photos of the bruises on his chest and back from his encounter with the mysterious policeman. After returning the silver tray to the kitchen, he turned the lights off and locked the door as the Hawkinses made their way to his car.
He pulled over and parked the cruiser at the exact location the colonel said the traffic stop occurred, got out, and walked around looking for tire tracks. Yesterday’s rain had washed the evidence of any imprints into the gutter. He leaned in the driver’s-side window he’d left open. “You’re sure this is where you were stopped?” Ethan inquired.
“Absolutely, Detective. You want me to get out and look with you?”
Aw, please no, it took ten minutes to get you in the car and comfortable.“No, Colonel, that’s okay. I’m going to spend a minute or two and take a look around.” Ethan walked up to the intersection and back again.
What an odd place for a police car to pick off speeders. The department never used this location as a speed trap. It would be silly. The retirement community was only two blocks west, and the neighborhood was among the quietest in the area. The only calls they ever received out here were from elderly people who needed medical attention. According to Chief Carson, there hadn’t even been a fender bender this way in over a year.
Ethan climbed back into the cruiser and headed for the bingo hall.
“He didn’t wear a black armband like you have on. I suppose that’s to honor Lieutenant Plante, right? Lovely woman she was. I only met her once at the VFW hall. She was standing behind the buffet line cutting the prime rib.”
Ethan turned the fan down. “Excuse me, sir? Would you repeat what you just said?”
Arnie fiddled with his hearing aid and raised his voice. “I said Margie was a lovely woman and the officer who stopped us wasn’t wearing a black armband like you have on. That’s another thing he should be reprimanded for when you figure out who he is.”
That’s what I thought you said.No black armband. How could an officer forget to wear his armband? They were standard issue for the next three months in honor of Lieutenant Plante’s lengthy service to the people of New York. The cadets had even put a couple of extra armbands in each cruiser glove box in case an officer left his home. Carson had also made sure there was an extra box of armbands in the locker room. There’d be no excuse for not wearing one. Hell, if someone showed up without it, they’d be busted at roll call.
So then, who was out there stopping the public for traffic violations?
16
Tia scrawled her name on the trust-fund check and slid it across the counter to Casey. “Thank you for everything. You and Mike have worked miracles for Flynn. I’ll take it from here.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to show him around his new home.”
“He’s a wonderful dog, Tia, and it’s been great catching up with you after all these years.” Casey glanced at the check. “Will Detective Kelley be stopping by later to sign this? There’s a spot for him to sign.”
Tia rolled her eyes. It was ridiculous that the lawyer had set up Flynn’s trust fund this way. “I will call Ethan after I leave. He can come over later to sign it.”
Casey giggled. “You didn’t remind him on purpose, huh?”
Tia pasted a nonchalant smile on her face. “You got that right, girl. The less I run into that man, the better for me. But I will call him within the hour so he knows his signature is required.”
Casey nodded. “Got it. No problem. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about Flynn’s care. We’re happy to help.”
Tia mumbled her thanks and turned around as Detective Kelley whooshed through the front door.
“Sorry I’m late, ladies. Just finished a wellness check on one of our senior citizens.” His radio squawked insistently, and he lowered the volume. “Where’s the check I need to sign?” He smiled warmly at them.
Tia shook her head. She should’ve known he wouldn’t forget. From what she’d seen, the man was annoyingly organized.
Casey held up the check and handed it over with a pen. “Here you go, Detective.”
“Please, call me Ethan. We’re just one big happy family around here, aren’t we?” His gaze landed on Tia.
Tia nodded insistently. “I can take it from here. Thanks for taking care of the check.”
A bemused expression flitted across his face. “Of course. We’re in this together.” He bent down and scratched Flynn’s ears. “Are you ready to go for a ride in the cruiser, big guy?”
No freaking way.“He’s riding with me to my house.”