15th Affair (Women's Murder Club 15)

“The short answer is no. I haven’t seen Alison in years. Thank God.”

He wrapped his fingers around the handle of his cane and dug the tip into the ground, preparing to stand.

I said, “Wait. Mr. Carroll, I’m also trying to locate my husband, Joe Molinari. June thinks they may be working together.” I heard myself saying these awful words out loud. “So if you can give me any kind of lead to their whereabouts…”

“Joe Molinari? Hah. That’s a blast from the past.” John Carroll settled back on the bench. He actually smiled.

“I don’t doubt that Muller knows where Molinari is. Do you have any idea what you’re poking into?”

“I think I do,” I said stiffly. He didn’t notice.

“I worked with Joe in the early nineties,” Carroll was saying. “Bright man. With a future. I was surprised when he switched agencies. But who knows why anyone does anything?

“She was another one. Sonja Dietrich. Alison Muller. Bright as a star. Men fell in love with her, to their long-term detriment. They would do anything for her. Tell her everything. I was in love with her myself.”

I didn’t speak or even clear my throat. I had to hear this story. And Number Six was ready and willing to tell it.

“I was married when I knew Muller. Had a lovely wife. Sadie. Two terrific kids. She made me forget all about them. When I was in so deep with her that I couldn’t see over the edge of my own grave, she went to Central Command and said I couldn’t be trusted.

“Well. In a sense that was true. I’d told her things, and she had recorded our conversations. I couldn’t believe she did that to me. To me.”

The retired CIA operative gazed at the still waters of the Reflecting Pool, lost, no doubt, in memories of Alison Muller. He’d already told me he was a dead end, but I gave it another shot.

“Mr. Carroll. If you were me, where would you look for Muller? Any kind of a lead would help me and the SFPD.”

“The last time I heard from Alison Muller was the night before she ruined my career and my marriage and my belief in myself. All I’ve got for you is the benefit of my experience.

“I believe she actually loved Joe when I knew them. I thought he must be the luckiest man in our galaxy. But here’s the thing. If she’s got her hooks into Joe again, I advise you to call your lawyer and get ready to dissolve your marriage.

“Or hope for the best. See how that works out for you.”

“Thanks. For your time,” I said. If I’d had my gun with me, I might have shot him through the heart.

Just like he’d done to me.

CHAPTER 55

I HAD MY carry-on bag slung over my shoulder and was outside the hotel with a loosely connected group of people who, like me, were waiting for the shuttle bus to the airport.

I was thinking, There’s the evil you know, and then there’s this place.

I couldn’t wait to get home.

A limo pulled up to the bus stop and the window buzzed down. A voice called out to me. A beautifully manicured hand waved through the open window.

“June?”

I walked over to the limo.

“Lindsay, I called and the desk said you’d just checked out. I’m glad I caught you.”

June Freundorfer opened the door, said, “Get in,” and slid along the backseat, making room for me.

“I have to catch the bus,” I said. “My flight…”

“We’ll give you a lift. Virgin America?”

How’d she know?