Chapter57
WHEN DECKER PULLED UPto the Gardiners’ home, the gate was open, so he pulled through. This time a man answered the door. He was in his forties, tall, broad-shouldered, and good-looking, and dressed in a suit that might have cost more than Decker’s entire wardrobe. No, there was nomightabout it.
“Yes?” said the man.
“I’m here to speak to Mitzi Gardiner.”
“What about?” the man asked suspiciously. “This is a no-solicitation area,” he added warningly. “How did you even get inside the gate?”
“It was open.” Decker took out his creds. “But I’m not selling anything. She’ll know about this. I’ve been by before.”
The man looked puzzled. “Here? You’ve been here?”
“Yes. Are you her husband?”
“I’m Brad Gardiner.”
“Is she in?”
“She’s not up yet. In fact, she’s not feeling well.”
“I can wait.”
“No, that doesn’t work. She…she’s ill.”
“Mr. Gardiner, I can understand that, but the fact is, this is a murder investigation. So time is of the essence.”
“Murder! What the hell are you talking about?”
“It’s okay, Brad.”
Decker looked past Gardiner to see his wife standing there in a bathrobe and slippers. She scowled at Decker. “I can handle this. Why don’t you get to work? You have that meeting.”
“But, Mitzi.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “It’s okay, sweetie, I’ve got this. Trust me.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am very sure.”
After her husband left, Gardiner looked at Decker. “You just won’t leave it alone, will you?”
“I’m just trying to do my job.”
“Isn’t that what all cops say?”
“I don’t know. I’m just one cop.”
She led him back to the conservatory, where they sat down across from each other.
“What?” she said expectantly.
“Some recent developments I thought you might want to be made aware of.”
“Such as?”
“Someone tried to kill Rachel Katz. Took a shot at her through her condo window.”