Chapter 8

And that was rule number 1. Everyone lies everyone.Criminals, witnesses, victims, sexy young mothers with cute little girls.

Wives.

"The caller we are wondering about came two nights ago twelve-oh-nine, Phil said "Was it a friend of yours?"

"No"

"Then who was it?"

"Look" she said "I got an obscene phone call late Wednesday night. that's all."

Brian cracked a smile."That's a good story; stick with that."

She glared at him and Phil cut in "The call lasted eighty two seconds, Mrs Jane. That is a long time to listen to an obscene phone call."

Her jaw closed. Brian could almost hear the click of it locking . He glanced at Phil. Ten bucks buddy.

"So what did the caller say?"Phil asked

"He said the normal things an obscene caller would say. I didn't take notes.

He?

Phil frowned "Are you afraid of this man?"

"Of course I'm afraid. I told you it was an obscene phone call. Its creepy."

"Then why didn't you call the police and make a report?" Brian asked

She crossed her arms."Last I heard, being creepy on the phone isn't against the law."

She was right. Reports of obscene  phone calls came into police stations everyday, and were generally blown off by the front line of desk cops before the complaint could consume paper. But Sarra's attitude didn't make any sense. A single mother who received a frightening call in the middle of the night should of been oozing cooperation, She should of been relieved to have a couple heroes knocking on her door.

"How long have you worked for Foster's Phil asked digging mode now.

"Six years.full-time before that part time in the Seattle gallery.

"Seattle" Brian mused.

She crossed her arms. "I haven't been back there in years Brian. I moved here right after I finished my degrees."

"Degrees in what?"

"I have a BA In American History and a Mfa in Art history."

She was almost defiant when she said it, a little jut of her chin and solid eye contact as if daring him to find something  untrue. Good Liars did that-told the truth wherever possible to minimize errors. She was good. And she had fascinating eyes., The kind a man could fall into if he wasn't careful and not even realizing he was drowning. Brown eyes with high slashing brows and thick lashes.Exotic but something else to.

Exhausted. Brian would bet his good hand she hadn't slept much lately.

"Do you travel in your work?" Phil asked.

"I sometimes attend antiques exhibitions usually long weekends at holidays." She paused "Not Seattle"

Brian pointed to her face."So it isn't jet lag that put those bags under your eyes?"

She pulled back "Abby wasn't feeling well was up last night with her. and I wasn't aware that answering the phone in my own home was a crime. Do I need a lawyer?"

Brian's patience slipped its leash she was lying  plain and simple. he moved to the telephone on the counter"Well you just might." Should I call the public defender's office for you? He purposely fumbled with the phone pushing a button. "Oh sorry he said sweetly and Phil cursed his breath.

"You have ...two..new messages. said the machine.

Sarra Panicked."You can't do -"

Brian caught her wrist when she went for the phone. A callers voice spun out." Mrs Jane this is Margret I was checking again on the dolls I sent you. You should receive the first one this morning."

Sarra's pulse galloped beneath Brian's fingers. He loosened his grip fractionally.

"Hey honey it's me Evan they said you picked up the furniture was going too see if you looked it over?"

The ending beeped sounded and he looked over at Sarra "Who was that?"

"Hannah she was checking if I got the dolls she sent-

"The other call?"

"My boss Evan Foster."

"Honey," he said and she gaped at him "He called you honey."

"Evan Foster wasn't in Seattle last night and didn't call me. Leave him alone."

Brian bit back a smile."You are very protective of your friends,"He turned her hand over and eyed the abrasions on her knuckle."Is that how you got those?"

"I;m a kick boxer." she snapped yanking her hand away.It was the first thing she said that actually fit. Tough controlled combative. For a second Brian let his mind wonder envisions of her lean body in spandex, releasing all the tension that seemed to tie her in knots.....

Bad move Brian shook it off."Where is your husband?"

"Excuse me??"

He pointed to the foyer where he had seen a large photo on the wall behind the kitchen door. Sarra in a cream colored dress and a sandy hair man at her side."You are wearing a ring.? Brian said "But he doesn't own this house with you. Where is he Seattle? maybe?"

"Dead"

The answer came as a jolt. but would be easily to verify there was no reason to question it."When?" Brian asked.

"Seven years ago when I was pregnant with Abby. she answered.

"I'm sorry Mrs Jane Phil said "How did it happen?"

Her chin lifted "Adam was flying back to panama city with my family after graduation to look for a house, The plane crashed. My parents, My brother, my husband and two hundred and three other people on board died. "Anything else"?

Whoa that wasn't the type of story Brian expected Love gone bad an affair, a divorce. Not like the tragic loss of someone- everyone- she loved. in the blink of an eye.

"OK," Phil said handing her a card."If you hear from this caller again let me know OK?"

She took it planning to throw it in the trash the min they were gone, no doubt- and Phil went back through the family room. Brian followed  trying to let it go the thought, screw that. He veered to the couch and knelt down  beside Abby."I hope you feel better soon, sweet-"

"Mr. Fuller!"

"I feel fine" Abby said She was confused.

Brian rose, cocking his head to Sarra "amazing how kids bounce back like that isn't it?"

"Hey" Abby said "What happened to your face?"

The question came out of the blue and wasn't from her jokes Brian touched his scar."I had a really big boo boo along time ago. Scary idn't it?"

"No mommy has one, too.It just means you hurt once"

Well there was a perspective he'd never considered pretty insightful 6 year old, but honest, anyway. which was more than the girls mother had managed. A pang of worry thrummed in his chest Abby had no choice about what her mother dragged her into, a child never does.

The thought haunted him as he strode down to the curb, and he punched his right hand on the roof of Phil's car. Spasms shot to his elbow."She is lying." he said forcing himself to flex his fingers.

Phil made his eyes big."You think."

"Dammit she knows him. He murdered a woman and now she is lying for him." His heart was beating a double time."Take her in, man, charge her with accessory. Work her over."

"Sleep Deprivation? water boarding maybe?

"Screw you."

"Obscene phone calls, Brian .That is her story and it fits. Maybe she is really afraid."

"Then why didn't she say so?Jesus Phil You are a police Lieutenant an I'm-he stopped he wasn't anything anymore."If she was scared she would have said so."

"She did"

"Bull shit. The creepy phone call thing was a cover for that asshole and you know it."He slid his hand into his pocket found the ribbon."I have to know Phil whether it was Russel Anthony or not,  that fucker cost me everything."

l looked at him over the roof of the car."I loved her too."

Brian's heart jerked."Not the same."

"No Phil agreed."and god willing I will go my whole life and never know how it feels But you know I can't do surveillance on a woman who is under suspicion of answering her ph-

"Look"

Phil followed Brian's gaze to Sarra's house Through the front windows she could be seen picking up her phone she carried it to the window saw Brian and Phil and dropped the blinds. but you could still see her shadow.and within seconds she hung up.

"That was quick."Brian said.

"Come on Brian we cant spy on the woman like this watching her isn't going to tell us anything.

"Then what is?"

"Looking at Gloria Michaels murder again for one and putting it up against Sarra Maybe we will find enough to get your friends at the bureau to reopen the case.

"Friends?" Brian said and sank in the front seat."oh shit"