Part 17 (2/2)
”Yippee.” Betty cheered.
”How can you tell?” MacAvoy asked.
I sighed. ”Experience.”
Sure enough, the minute Malone finished his interview he made his way toward our group. As we watched him draw closer, I wondered if I was the only one who felt anxious about what he may have overheard. Not that we had anything to hide, but Betty was in enough trouble as it was; she didn't need to add illegal gambling to her list of offenses.
If the looks on the others' faces were any indication, Grey and I were the only ones wis.h.i.+ng Malone would stay on the other side of the gra.s.sy area. The other two looked like they were about to be granted their greatest wish.
”Mel, Betty.” Malone acknowledged the men with a nod.
”Detective Hottie,” Betty cooed.
He avoided Betty, instead turning his attention toward me. His crossed his arms and wide-legged stance indicated he wasn't in the mood to play games. ”Gia claims you have an item that belongs to her.”
Of course she did. Darn her.
I scowled. ”First, let me tell you that I have not shoved my nose into your murder investigation.”
He stared at me, unimpressed. ”Yet, you're still here.”
”I did discover some information you might find helpful. Or maybe not. But before we get to that, may I ask you a question?”
”If I say no, will that stop you?”
I smiled. He finally understood me. ”Not at all.”
”Get it over with.”
”Have you or your crew talked to the filmmaker? I find it odd that she's not here, recording all the crazy drama. Look at MacAvoy, he can't stay away, and he's the noon reporter.”
”I'm a serious investigative reporter.”
I tossed him an apologetic smile. ”No offense. Just stating the facts.”
Malone watched Gia and Fallon shoot daggers into each other for a second. ”We were sidetracked. But no, to my knowledge, we have not talked to the filmmaker yet.”
”You should put a lookout for her,” Betty suggested. ”What's that called? A BOGO?”
”A BOLO,” Grey corrected automatically. ”Be On the Look Out.”
I couldn't decipher the expression on MacAvoy's face, but Betty was impressed. Malone and I had to be thinking the same thing-was Grey trying to blow his cover?
Grey shrugged unapologetically. ”I like cop dramas.”
”Oh, me too,” Betty agreed, excited to have someone who shared a mutual interest. ”I like the dark gritty shows with the handsome cops.”
Her taste in cop shows was no surprise to any of us.
Malone changed the topic back to his original question. ”Is Gia correct? Do you have an item that belongs to her?”
My grip on the bottle tightened for an instant before I reluctantly extended the potential evidence in his direction. ”This.”
”We're taking it to Dr. Darling.” Betty glared in Gia's direction.
Malone tried to take it from my hand, but I couldn't let go. He raised an eyebrow. ”Thank you,” he deadpanned.
I release my hold. Dang, dang, dang. I wanted to take it to Daniel. I had questions that only he could answer. Like would caffeine actually make the dog run faster? If so, how much caffeine would a dog need to ingest? How much was too much caffeine for a dog?
As I had done minutes earlier, he unscrewed the cap and smelled the contents. He cast a sideways glance in my direction.
”I'm pretty sure it's an energy drink. I saw Gia behind a tent, pouring the contents into Zippy's special bowl. If that's an energy drink, Lenny's accusation, as obnoxious as he is, was accurate-the Eriksens were most likely juicing their dog. We were on our way to see Daniel.”
”In other words, they're cheaters,” Betty spit out.
Malone recapped the bottle. ”Wait here.”
He stalked away toward Gia, his boots crushed the gra.s.s, leaving behind determined footprints. He asked her a few questions. She nodded vigorously and reached for the bottle. Malone pulled it out of her reach. He called one of his uniform officers over, spouted orders as he pointed at Gia, then returned to where we waited.
”I'll have someone deliver this to Dr. Darling,” he said as he approached.
”We'd be happy to do that for you,” I offered.
”I'd rather you find Zippy and take him to the onsite clinic so he can be tested. If this is what we think, the dog should have a complete examination.”
”The last time we saw him, he was racing toward the track. Luis and his dog, Barney, went after him. I'm not sure if they caught him or not.”
”Zippy ran like he had wings,” Betty interjected. ”A true champion.”
”Or hopped up on caffeine.” Mr. TV jotted down a couple of thoughts on his notepad. ”How much caffeine does it takes to affect a canine?”
Malone's voice was tight. ”This is not a formal interview. Understand?”
MacAvoy nodded and put away his notepad.
”I will make sure this reaches Dr. Darling. Anything else you want to tell me?” Malone asked me.
I tilted my head toward MacAvoy and Grey. Malone understood my unspoken request and motioned for me to follow him to an open gra.s.sy area a short distance away. I kept my back to MacAvoy, not sure if he could read lips.
I could feel three sets of curious eyes on us. I was sure they were talking about us too. Except for Grey. He'd keep his comments to himself. Hopefully he'd manage to keep Betty from jumping MacAvoy. She did like men.
”Thanks. I don't trust the reporter,” I said.
”Keeping your enemies close?”
”Something like that.”
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