Chapter 39
Iwoke the next morning to an empty bed. Catalina had slipped out during the night.
I’m sure the feds had been keeping tabs on her and knew about our evening. It wouldn’t be long before they got in contact, wanting information.
My phone buzzed the nightstand.
I reached a sleepy hand for it and swiped the screen. “This is Deputy Wild.”
“Is now a bad time?” Sarah Dalton said in a tentative voice. “I can call back later.”
“No, this is good. What’s going on?”
"I don’t want to get anybody in trouble," she said. "But I wasn't with Greg. Not when he said I was. I mean, not until later.”
She had my full attention.
"What time did you meet up with him?"
She hesitated for a moment. "It was sometime between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM."
That was enough time to do the deed.
"So, he asked you to lie for him?"
"Well, not lie. But…”
“You know where he was up until that time?"
Sarah stammered. "He went to Dr. Latham's office.”
My brow lifted with curiosity. She had my attention before, but she really had it now. "Did he say what he was doing there?”
"He just said that he had some things he was trying to work out with his wife regarding the divorce. Division of assets, etc. He wanted to get this over with. So did I.”
“Did those things involve killing her?"
"Well, he didn't admit that to me outright, but the thought has crossed my mind.”
"Do you think Greg is capable of murder?"
"I wouldn't date a man who I thought was a murderer. But now, I'm beginning to question that. I mean, he’s said a few things here and there. I never gave it much thought.”
"What kind of things?”
"You know, just little comments. Like, I wish she was dead. I ought to run her over with my truck. It would be so much easier if she would just drop dead. Those kinds of things."
"What was his demeanor like when you met up with him after he went to the office?"
"I guess he seemed fine. Maybe a little nervous. A little excitable. It's kind of hard to describe. At that time of night, he's usually pretty laid-back, but he seemed on edge, now that I think about it." She sighed. "Maybe he did go up there to kill her."
"You didn't actually see him go to the office, did you?"
"No. Like I said, I met him at the boat.”
"Did he have any bloodstains on his clothing?”
"I don't think so. Not that I saw. But he could have changed clothes.”
I thanked Sarah for the information and told her to meet us at the station to make a full statement. It wouldn't be enough for a warrant, but it did cast a high degree of suspicion.
I pulled myself out of bed, went through my morning routine, then headed down to the main deck and banged on the hatch to JD’s stateroom. Then I remembered he wasn't staying here.
I started fixing breakfast in the galley and called Jack.
At this hour, it went to voicemail.
He called me back about 15 minutes later as I ate breakfast on the sky deck, soaking in the morning rays.
"So, how’d it go last night?"
"Rather well," I replied.
"Did you find out any useful information?"
"I found a lot of useful information. None of which I'm going to divulge."
"That good, huh?"
"That good."
"You're playing with fire, my friend."
"She's a legitimate businesswoman," I said, still trying to convince myself.
"And I’m the King of England.”
"Neither here nor there at the moment. We’ve got other things to focus on." I caught him up to speed.
"Alright. I'm going to whip up a little something to eat, then I'll swing by and pick you up."
I ended the call, then made the call I'd been dreading. I dialed Isabella. "Hey, I've got another favor to ask. I need you to look into Catalina Navarro. Tell me what you find out about her.”
Isabella's fingers danced across the keys. A few minutes later, she said, "She's an interesting one. The one from the jewelry heist, right?"
"Yes."
“Is this a professional inquiry, or a personal one?”
"Maybe a little of both."
"Good Lord, Tyson. What have you gotten yourself into this time?”