V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone 22)
June stared at me with the helpless expression of someone watching a movie where she knows the ending isn’t good. Len must have done a number on her like the one he’d done on me. She was tense and I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through to her.
I tried again. “Look, I know Sergeant Priddy was in here yesterday because I saw his car parked out front. Trust me, whatever he’s telling you is bullshit. You know the man’s a turd.”
She licked her lips and then dried the corners with two fingers. “He says there’s a bench warrant out. Pinky’s wanted for questioning and if I don’t turn him in, I’ll be charged with aiding and abetting.”
“There’s no bench warrant,” I scoffed. “What are you talking about? He’s got it in for Pinky because he stole a set of photographs. Don’t ask who he stole ’em from because I don’t know that part. Len Priddy wants them back and came close to choking me to death because he thought I was holding out on him. He’s probably threatened you with worse.”
Her voice was low. “He came to my house this morning before I left for work. He pushed his way in and tore the place apart.”
“Looking for the photographs.”
“Probably,” she said. “I told him I’d call the cops if he didn’t get the hell out. He left and I thought that might be the end of it, but then he stopped again here demanding to search the shop. I’d already talked to my boss and he said not without a warrant, so now Sergeant Priddy’s gone off to get one. Door opened just now, I thought it was him.”
“A warrant based on what? He’s yanking your chain. It’s a fishing expedition, pure and simple. How’s he going to find a judge who’ll sign off on that? He has to show probable cause.”
“He said he was almost sure he’d get an anonymous phone tip.”
“He’s bullshitting.”
“Maybe so, but what if he’s not?”
“I take it Pinky’s here.”
She didn’t nod but she dropped her eyes, conceding the point. “I was thinking once it got dark, I’d put him in the trunk of my car and take him someplace else. What do you suggest?”
I shook my head. “Bad idea. Len’s probably planted someone to keep an eye on you, so it’s better if you stay put.”
“What about you? He says it’s just for tonight.”
“Len’ll be watching me the way he’s watching you. He knows darn well Pinky’s on the premises, so he’ll anticipate any attempt to get him out of here and into a car. Doesn’t matter whose. They’ll make a traffic stop using some excuse and that’ll be the end of it.”
“We have to do something.”
“I’m taking off. The longer I stay, the more it’s going to look like we’re hatching a scheme.”
“You’re leaving me?”
“Briefly. I have an idea and if it works, you’ll see me sooner than you think. Just don’t make a move until I get back.”
“Okay.”
Once I was out of the shop, I proceeded to the corner at a leisurely pace. I was operating on the assumption that anyone watching would note my departure and then be forced to choose whether to follow me or stick with June. I turned right onto the side street, but instead of returning to my car, I continued walking until I reached Chapel. If Len had assigned a vehicle surveillance, the focus would probably be on the Grabber Blue Mustang. As long as that stayed where it was, I thought I might move with some degree of freedom. I crossed Chapel and went up to the next intersection, which put me in the same block as the consignment store.
I went in. The woman at the counter looked up and greeted me warmly, a practice meant to discourage shoplifters, who prefer to go unnoticed. I circled the store, browsing through racks of garments, with a particular eye to coats. The temperatures in Santa Teresa sink into the forties and fifties at night, and while heavy outerwear is uncommon, there’s always a demand for something lightweight. I checked a couple of price tags and felt myself blanch. This was secondhand clothing, which I assumed was synonymous with “cheap.” Not so here. I tried to picture my last credit card statement, wondering if I had the wherewithal to charge the five or six hundred bucks the shop was asking. I’m a stickler for paying off my monthly balance if I charge at all, but I couldn’t remember what my limit was. Had to be close to ten grand. I stopped and thought about the situation. I had good reason to believe the shop was tied to an organized retail-theft ring, which meant the woman who ran the place was a scofflaw. So why was I searching my conscience when she was the cheater? She appeared to my right.