Gone Too Far (Devlin & Falco #2) - Debra Webb Page 0,2

Keep the press at bay until an official statement was released.

It wasn’t like they hadn’t done this before. Ten months ago, the first case she and Falco worked together had involved the top echelon of Birmingham society. An ache pierced Kerri’s heart. That case had stolen the life of Amelia, her precious niece . . . it had taken a terrible toll on her family, and she’d been saddled with a new partner she hadn’t liked. She gave her head a small shake. Turned out that new partner was the best thing to happen to her, professionally and personally. He was a great partner and a good friend. She was lucky to have him.

She glanced to the far end of the bar, where Tara McGill waited, her elbows on the counter, her face in her hands. Long blonde hair streamed down her back. The dress was short and tight, the sandals slinky. Kerri imagined all the employees who worked here were attractive and probably female. The older men who frequented the place with its vintage, tony appeal would prefer to be catered to by women.

Kerri settled onto the barstool next to McGill. She looked up, tears blackened by her heavy mascara, and eyeliner stained her cheeks.

“Ms. McGill, I’m Detective Kerri Devlin. I’d like to ask you a few questions about this morning.”

She nodded. “Okay.” More dark tears rolled down her cheeks. “Who would do this?”

“We’re hoping you can help us find that answer.” Kerri reached across the bar and grabbed a couple of napkins for McGill. “How long have you worked for Mr. Kurtz?”

McGill swiped at her cheeks, then dabbed at her nose. “Two years.”

“Do you have some idea about how many people the shop employs?”

McGill considered the question for a moment. “There’s five or six who work part time and two of us who are full time besides Leo.” She drew in a big breath. “I just don’t understand. Everyone loves Leo.”

Obviously, there was at least one person who didn’t. Or maybe it was simply a matter of wrong place, wrong time. Kerri doubted that scenario. This execution had been planned and carried out carefully. “Any trouble with customers or suppliers?”

“Never.” McGill shrugged. “I mean, I’ve only been here for two years, but all the people I’ve encountered say the same thing—Leo is the best. Some have worked with him since he opened the place forty years ago. A lot of the customers have been coming here all that time too. It’s just crazy.”

“No issues with any of the employees, past or present, that you’re aware of?”

“No. Nothing.”

“What about family troubles? Issues with his significant other or current love interest?”

McGill moved her head side to side. “Leo is—was single. His partner died like five years ago, and he never wanted to be with anyone else.” She sighed. “The man was a true romantic. And he didn’t have kids. He always joked that this place was his child.” She made a sound that fell short of being a laugh. “He would say the business just kept growing and never let him down.”

“Best friends?”

McGill summoned a watery smile. “We—those of us who work here—are his friends. And his customers. There’s no one else I know of.”

Which could mean Leo was a loner in his personal life. Or just particularly discreet.

“I realize you’ve probably already done this with Officer Franklin,” Kerri said, “but I need you to take me through your arrival this morning. Tell me everything you remember. Sometimes after such a traumatic event you recall more when you’ve had a chance to regain your composure.”

McGill fiddled with the wad of napkins. “I parked next to Leo’s car at like nine twenty-seven. I know that because when I saw his car, I was surprised that he was here already. So I looked at the time on my dash to make sure I wasn’t late. I didn’t recognize the car parked next to his. The silver Audi, I mean. Leo drives that old four-wheel-drive Bronco. I think it’s about as old as he is . . .” She blinked once, twice, then swallowed hard. “Was.”

“Did you have to unlock the door to come inside?”

McGill shook her head no. “But I didn’t think anything of it since the boss was here. I came inside. Stuck my purse in the locker I use. There’s a whole row of them by the coatrack at the back door.” She paused, reviewing the next moments before speaking again. “The first thing I saw was the two chairs