Chapter 29
As much as Marty wanted to get as far from Emma’s place as humanly possible, curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped behind Ronan and Billy to see what had caught Ronan’s attention.
To his surprise, a Palm Springs police car and several county sheriff’s vehicles were in the process of parking in front of the house.
Their presence had to have something to do with Emma’s trip to the police department. What in God’s name had she gotten herself mixed up in?
“Wait here,” Billy said and headed for the door.
Whatever was going on, Marty didn’t want to get caught up in it, so he hurried outside after Billy.
Four sheriff’s deputies were gathered around the two men who’d been in the PSPD sedan, one of whom was in uniform and the other was in a suit.
Again, Marty couldn’t help but stop within earshot as Billy reached the group.
“Detective Sanchez, nice to see you again,” Billy said. “Is there something I can help you with?”
The suited cop stepped away from his colleagues. “Mr. Barnett. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I came with Ronan to take care of Emma’s dog.”
“I see. Mr. Davis is inside?”
“He is.”
Sanchez glanced past Billy to Marty. “And who is this?”
Marty blanched.
Billy turned to follow his gaze. “That is Marty.”
“Do you have a last name, Marty?” Sanchez asked.
“Um, Lundstrom,” Marty said.
“Are you a friend of Dr. Perez’s?” Sanchez said.
“Coworker,” Marty said, then added, “I’m the one who brought her dog home.”
“I see.”
“I take it this isn’t a social call,” Billy said.
“Unfortunately, no,” Sanchez said, sounding regretful. “We’re here to execute a search warrant for Dr. Perez’s residence.”
“You’re a little out of your jurisdiction, aren’t you?”
That drew a smile from the detective. “That’s why my friends from the sheriff’s department are here.”
“Excuse me,” Marty said. “I’m late for a meeting. Is it all right if I leave?”
“Did you take anything from the house?” the detective asked.
Marty shook his head. “Nothing.”
Sanchez studied him for a moment. “I assume we can reach you at RRE if we have any questions?”
“What kind of questions?”
“Any questions.”
“Of course. And if I’m not there, they’ll know where to find me.”
“Then have a nice day, Mr. Lundstrom.”
—
Billy watched Marty’s car speed out of the driveway. A few seconds later, the motorcyclist Billy had seen earlier followed.
So Popov’s man was here because of Marty. Interesting.
“There’s something off about that guy,” Sanchez said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Billy said.
“I really hate to do this, but we should probably get started.”
“May I see the search warrant first?” Billy asked.
Sanchez pulled out the warrant and handed it to him.
Billy had seen many legal documents in his life, including more than a few search warrants. He noticed several irregularities, including that the requisitioning officer was Warner Wilson, not Sanchez or his partner.
“This is rather broad, wouldn’t you say?” Billy asked.
Again, the detective looked uncomfortable. “It’s what’s been signed off on.”
“I take it this Judge”—Billy looked at the warrant again—“Fredricks is a friend of your boss.”
The detective’s silence was answer enough.
Billy pulled out his phone. “You don’t mind if I take a picture, do you?”
“Honestly, I wish you would.”
Billy did so, then said, “I realize you are only doing your job, Detective, but I think we both know this warrant is unwarranted.”
Sanchez snorted a laugh, then got himself back under control. “I have no comment on that.”
“None necessary. I am wondering, though, if you could take a bit more time talking to your team before starting.”
“You have something up your sleeve?”
“Detective, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sanchez smiled, then looked up at the sky. “It’s such a nice day that I see no reason to rush inside.”
While Sanchez returned to talk to his law enforcement buddies, Billy texted the picture of the warrant to Herb, with a quick description of what was going on.
Herb texted back moments later.
Hang tight.
—
“You know what I don’t understand?” Warner Wilson said.
For the last fifteen minutes, he’d been asking Emma questions she could tell were designed to make her admit to killing Katy. Unfortunately for him, since she hadn’t done it, that wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m sure there are many things you don’t,” she said.
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. There are many things I don’t understand, either. Like why you think I killed Katy.”
“If you didn’t do it, I would think you’d feel more compassion about your friend’s death.”
“She wasn’t my friend.”
“But you did know her.”
“Barely.”
“Right. Because she was your boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.”
“Wrong.”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know she and Ronan Davis used to date.”
“Of course, I know that. Your mistake is in thinking Ronan is my boyfriend.”
He took a moment to regroup, then said, “Why did you throw her into the pool on Saturday night?”
“How many times do I have to tell you I did not throw her in the pool? She threw me. There were dozens of witnesses. Ask them.”
“Don’t worry, I—”
Before Wilson could finish, Jensen stuck his head in the room. “Captain, could you step out for a moment?”
“I’m in the middle of an interview,” Wilson barked, annoyed.
“I understand, but—”
“This interview is over,” Herb Fisher said as he pushed past the detective and entered the room.
“Who the hell are you?” Wilson asked as he shot to his feet.
“I’m Dr. Perez’s attorney.”
“Why would she need an attorney if she’s not guilty?”
“To protect her from overambitious persons, such as yourself.” Herb pulled two business cards out of his pocket and handed one to Wilson and the other to Emma.
“This says you work in New York,” Wilson said.
“I do work in New York.”
“This is California.”
“A state in which I am licensed to practice.”
Wilson turned to Emma. “Is this…person really your attorney?”
Emma looked at Herb.
“Billy Barnett sent me. I believe he’s friends with your friend Ronan.”
“Yes,” she said. “He’s my attorney.”
“Jensen!” Wilson barked at the door.
When Jensen stepped in, Wilson shoved Herb’s business card at him.
“Find out if this guy’s legit!”
Jensen grimaced uncomfortably. “He is.”
“What?”
“The desk sergeant already checked.”
“Has my client been read her rights?” Herb asked.
Wilson glared at him. “She’s not under arrest.”
“Then we’re leaving. Let’s go, Emma. I’m sure there are places you’d rather be.”
She stood and followed Herb toward the door.
Before they stepped out, Herb stopped and looked back at Wilson. “By the way, I talked to Judge Fredricks about the illegal search warrant you obtained.”
“Illegal?” Wilson said, his face turning red.
“Come now, Captain Wilson. We both know the grounds you used to justify it were flimsy at best. Once I laid everything out, the judge agreed, and as we speak the officers on the scene are being informed that the warrant has been canceled.” He started to leave, then paused again and added, “Oh, and the judge would like you to call him.”
That said, he and Emma departed.