Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen (4 page)

Chapter 4

As the squad car pulled into the street, Hannah tried to keep the man in sight, but he turned away. When she turned back in her seat, Hannah once more went over what she saw. She determined she would need the details later as she processed the information.

Along the way, the officer
looked over to Hannah, who stared out the window, her nose wiggling. “The questions are just procedure,” he assured.

“
I’m familiar,” Hannah replied.

It did not take long to reach Islands Memorial. Once the car parked, he and Hannah exited the vehicle. With the officer in tow, Hannah made her way inside the hospital. She followed the signs to the emergency room. Along the way, she prayed Elias was still alive
, but she made a vow. Whatever the reason for Elias’ condition, there was no leaving Gresham until she resolved the matter.

Reaching the ER, Hannah saw Janine, Papa Jay, and Gran talking with a nurse.  She approached, she found the nurse to be concluding. As the woman departed, Hannah turned to Janine and her grandparents.  Janine
’s makeup ran down her cheeks and her eyes showed redness from crying.

“
What’s his condition?”

Papa Jay shook his head.
“Not sure yet, they said it will be a while. Might as well take some seats and get comfortable.” He took Janine by the arm, adding, “Much as we can, given.”

The elder Starvling led the young wife over to some chairs in the corner of the emergency room waiting area. Once they settled, Brandon studied everyone.
After a moment, he said, “You know what? I’m feeling the need for some coffee. Can I bring anyone back a cup?”

Hannah let out a breath.
“Yes, thank you.”

Everyone agreed to Brandon
’s offer and Papa Jay agreed to go with him in purchasing the drinks. “Be right back,” the young officer said with a smile. He then headed down a side hall with Papa Jay toward a sign indicating the cafeteria.

Janine opened her purse and retrieved her cell phone.
“I need to call my dad, if y’all don’t mind. He’s here, but was out and about when…” Her words trailed off as she dropped her head and tears ran the length of her face before dropping to the floor. Gran leaned over and wrapped her arms around the woman as she wept. After a few moments, she wiped her tears and gave a forced smile. “Sorry, that ain’t gonna do nobody any good.”

“
It’ll do you good,” Hannah added, taking her new friend’s hand into hers. “You want me to give your dad a call for you?”

Janine indicated no.
“Thanks, but best this come from family.” She dialed as Hannah and Gran excused themselves to down the way. Hannah watched the conversation play out. Reading Janine’s body language, she found tension, some apprehension, and a lot of frustration. She managed to make out “You promised,” before Janine blew out a heavy, fast, puff of air, “
Because I… something, something… them
,” Hannah noted on Janine’s lips. The sleuth started filling in potential words and phrases.
Because I need them. Because I know them. Because I… I… I don’t have a clue
, she admitted to herself. 
Don’t.  I don’t have them!

Hannah stiffened. Her brow furrowed and her
nose made its usual sign.  Gran, seeing this, turned to face her granddaughter. “Out with it. What did she say that has you going all Einstein?”

Glancing down to the elder Starvling before refocusing on Janine, Hannah pondered.
“I think she may have said, ‘I don’t have them.’”

Janine tapped the phone off and closed her eyes for a moment. Hannah and Gran stood by, waiting for the young woman. After some time, she reopened her eyes and waved Hannah and Gran back. After they sat down again, Janine said,
“He’ll be here soon. He was out, but nearby.” Hannah noted the tension in her voice, as did Gran, she assumed, given the concerned look the elder Starvling gave.

“
Something wrong, dear?” Gran asked.

Janine shrugged her shoulders.
“It’s just Dad. He’s on his way. He came along to help guard Elias’ darn truffles, but earlier, he said he needed to step out. He hadn’t made it back and Elias was ready to postpone dinner until he showed up, but I talked him into going on.” She paused and peered at Hannah. “You think maybe this was my fault? If I hadn’t insisted on going out and all…”

“
No,” Hannah interrupted, “it’s not. You did nothing wrong.”

Janine gave an appreciative, yet doubtful smile. Hannah could tell she held onto her guilt.

“Does your father usually work security for Elias?” Hannah asked.

“
He’s never asked him before, but Elias seemed particular this time, more so than usual. Since he retired, Dad’s been working security jobs, being as he is so big and all.”

The last bit of description caught Hannah
’s attention.
Large enough for security,
she contemplated.
How big?
 

“
He used to play ball, you know. Professional. Played for the Birmingham Tornadoes. Linebacker.”

Hannah knew little about football, but Janine
’s words caused Gran’s eyes to widen.

“
Football,” Gran said with some excitement. “Oh, I love football. Lots of big men. Tight uniforms.” She winked at Janine. “Firm butts.”

Janine gave a laugh, which Hannah assumed was her grandmother
’s intent.

“
Well then, you’re gonna love Dad. He’s in his fifties, but still fit as a fiddle. All muscle. No brains,” Janine said before sighing. “That’s the problem. I shouldn’t say anything, but since you’re gonna meet him soon enough, he’ll tell you anyway. Dad’s got a gambling problem.”

“
Oh,” Gran said in a sympathetic voice, “we all have our crosses to bear, I suppose.”

“
Yeah, that’s true. It’s just that Dad’s cross seems to be getting bigger. He can’t stop. He goes to meetings and all, faithfully. Two, sometimes three times a week. But in the past few days…” Janine trailed off and shrugged. “And just now, I could hear something going on in the background. Sounded like a ruckus of some kind. Men doing something. Hooting and hollering. You know, like when what they're betting on is taking place.”

Hannah considered this new information, and the possibility that it presented did not sit well with her. To her mind, it suggested motive. Janine
’s father had a gambling problem. He could have gotten himself into debt with people who did not sit still if not paid on time. Elias’ mushrooms being a black market item represents quite a sum of money. Her father might have seen an opportunity. He might have feigned the need to be somewhere else, only to return when he knew Elias and Janine would be out. The gourmet was a man of incredible discipline and a creature of habit. Dinner would be on a specific timetable. Elias being his son-in-law, he would know this. All he would have to do was wait until the given time. If Elias did return to the room to get something and caught the man in their room, trying to get to the truffles, things may have gone south fast. So fast that the man’s son-in-law fell victim to bad timing and an unplanned response.

“
What’s your father’s name?” Hannah asked, smiling to mask her suspicions.

“
Johnny Wexler.”  

“
The Twister?” Papa Jay remarked.

Hannah looked up as Gran and Janine turned in their seats to see Papa Jay and Officer Brandon approaching
, each holding coffee trays. 

“
Yup, that’s my dad,” Janine said.

Hannah noted that this was the first time since mentioning the man that she seemed proud. 

When they reached where the women sat, they distributed the drinks before sitting. Everyone sipped as Papa Jay recalled seeing Wexler in action.

“
Your daddy, now that is one big fella, let me tell you. I saw him the last year he played, must have been--”

“
1997,” Janine chimed in.

Papa Jay pointed a finger and nodded.
“Yup, last of the bowl games. Tornadoes were up by one. Down to final seconds. Playing the Memphis Fog. They’re on the one, going for broke. Ball snaps and the quarterback drops back, hands the ball to Nixon Sound.” He gestured with every word, acting out every sentence to everyone’s delight. “Runs straight up the middle. Sound is a big guy, mind you, big as your dad, and then it happened.”

Papa Jay paused as everyone sat still, mesmerized by the story. After a second, which seemed an eternity to Hannah, Brandon said,
“What? What?”

“
BOOM!” Papa Jay said, bursting from his seat, gesturing as if a bomb exploded. Gran and Janine jumped back and Brandon almost spilled his coffee. Hannah smiled, but never moved. It was one of Papa Jay’s football stories and she had come to expect this kind of performance.

“
Boom what, you old fool!” Gran exclaimed. “You almost scared the babies out of Janine.”

“
She didn’t jump near as hard as you,” Papa Jay responded with a grin.

“
Well,” Brandon responded, “what happened?”

“
I stopped him, dead in his tracks. Saved the day. Best game of my career.”

Everyone turned to see a large man with a broad grin standing behind Papa Jay. He then walked over to Janine as she stood to greet him. They hugged as he said,
“Hey, baby. I’m so, so, sorry.” Pulling away, Janine nodded.

Hannah sized him up in her usual, quick fashion.
At least 6’5”. Bald. Gray goatee and mustache. Blue eyes. Muscled. Imposing. Warm smile. Slight haunch. Stiffening of the knuckles and knees. Likely due to football injuries.
She filed everything for later consideration.

A round of introductions and a quick recap of what they knew thus far about Elias conditions ensued. 
Wexler settled into a chair beside his daughter. Brandon then jumped in.

“
I don’t mean to interrupt you folks, especially given all this,” Brandon gestured around the room, “but do you guys think you might answer a few questions?” he asked in a hopeful voice.

Hannah agreed
first. He introduced himself again as James Brandon, and that this was his first year on the force. Hannah noticed the care that he took in detail of all the information everyone provided. He also asked all the obvious questions. All provided contact information and as much detail as possible. However, Hannah answered only to the questions the young officer asked. Everything else, she kept to herself.

She
held two reasons for keeping information back. First, she reasoned that this town never saw little more excitement than the occasional drunken brawl. It was probable that the handling of the case that landed in their lap would exceed the expertise of the small town police. The second was that in the few years she attended the festival, rumors circulated about the integrity of the local police. Being a border town, Gresham presented itself as a perfect crossing point. Everything from drugs to illegal foods passed through. Yet, local police records showed a general lack of arrests. Hannah often contemplated how Gresham could remain so clean and perfect. It was almost a northern paradise. She wondered if this was due to local law enforcement turning a blind eye. With all the money that flowed through the town at all times of the year, something was amiss to Hannah’s mind.

Regardless, Hannah felt justified in her reasoning. She was an experienced investigator.
Now, she held a stake in the game. Elias was not a stranger. He was a friend, a good man, a loving husband to his wife, and was soon to be a father.
Assuming he survives
, she noted to herself.  But the one thing Hannah did share with Brandon, as she had done with Bland earlier, was her belief that Elias would not attempt suicide. “He’s got too much to live for,” she insisted for the second time that day. Janine agreed without hesitation. Hannah noted that Wexler remained quiet.
Guilt, perhaps
, she pondered. Brandon never offered alternate possibilities. Instead, he nodded. 

“
Do you or your husband carry a lot of money or valuables?”

A sudden look of shock and recognition ran across Janine
’s face.  She closed her eyes and placed her hand on her belly. “This is a nightmare,” Janine said, rubbing her stomach. “I knew something like this would happen sometime.”

Brandon looked up from his notepad with a quizzical face.

Catching on to the officer’s face, Janine explained, “Because of his diamonds.”

Hannah watched
Wexler during the exchange. He made an ever so slight move, and drew his eyes in a small amount. She made an annotation of it in her ongoing profile.

Brandon leaned forward, pencil in hand, ready to record.
“Diamonds?” he asked, curiosity oozing from his words.

Hannah noted the sudden, extreme interest. While the young officer
before seemed interested, now he appeared down right intrigued.
Is he interested in the case or the diamonds,
she asked herself?