Page 28 of What Happened Last Night

I nodded my head.

“Yeah. I’ve just put the wheels in motion to obtain a sample from him.”

“I’ll make it a priority. As soon as the sample comes in, I’ll run the tests. You’ll have the results the same day I get the sample. I know I like to joke around, Jamie, but that girl and her baby deserved better than what they got.”

“Thanks,” I said. “And yeah. They really did.”

Dr. Karloff and I went back to his office and sat down in comfortable chairs where he poured us both a drink. I was officially off duty, and I didn’t think one drink would hurt. Dr. Karloff was talking about last night’s game when my cellphone rang. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was Officer Dumont.

“Sorry, I have to take this,” I said, holding my cellphone up where Dr. Karloff could see it.

“Aren’t you off duty?” he said.

“Yeah, technically, I am, but are we ever off duty?”

“True. It would be so much more convenient if criminals only operated in business hours, wouldn’t it?”

Dr. Karloff grinned.

I nodded my head. Damned right, it would. I slipped back out into the hallway again and took the call.

“Detective? I’m sorry to bother you, but Morrie Xavier is on his way to the precinct. He called up and demanded to speak to you, and when he was told you weren’t here, he got a bit aggressive, yelling at the front desk sergeant who took the call and saying you’d better be here by the time he gets here. I’m cool to deflect him, but I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Hang on, slow down. Who the hell is Morrie Xavier?” I said.

It dawned on me as soon as the words left my lips. Candy’s father. Officer Dumont and I both said the words at the same time.

“Yeah,” Officer Dumont added.

I thought quickly. Normally, I would let Officer Dumont handle him, but if he was getting aggressive, I figured I should be the one to deal with him. And after losing his daughter, he deserved to at least be heard by me.

“I’m on my way back in now. If Morrie gets there before me, explain to him that I’m not in the office because I’m trying to find his daughter’s killer and bring them to justice, but assure him that I’m on my way and that I’ll be happy to speak to him.”

I ended the call and stuck my head back around the door to Dr. Karloff’s office.

“Duty calls.” I sighed.

“Where the hell is Batman when you need him?” Dr. Karloff grinned.

I laughed. “Knowing my luck, he’s probably helping a waitress who's being harassed or something.”

I drove to the precinct as quickly as I could without breaking any laws. The roads where quieter now, and I made it back in good time. I stepped into the precinct and went up to the front desk.

“Is Morrie Xavier here yet?” I asked.

“Yes,” said a voice from behind me before the desk sergeant had a chance to respond.

I turned in the direction of the voice and found myself face to face with Morrie Xavier. He looked to be in his early forties or late fifties, with thinning red hair and a matching mustache which was a whole lot thicker than the hair on his head. His eyes looked slightly unfocused, and I could smell the alcohol fumes coming off him in waves. I ignored the potent smell of whisky coming off him and stepped forward, extending my hand.

“Mr. Xavier. I’m Detective Del Rey,” I said. “I’m the lead detective on your daughter’s case.”

Morrie looked at my outstretched hand for a moment as if debating whether to shake it or smack it away. In the end, he settled for a shake. He squeezed my hand harder than was necessary, but I let it go, reminding myself that the man was grieving, and sometimes grief could do funny things to people.

“Let’s go to my office,” I said when Morrie saw I wasn’t going to react and released my hand from his death grip.

I turned and walked through the security door, holding it open for Morrie to come through. I led him along the mostly quiet hallways and into my office. I gestured for him to sit down, which he did.

“Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?” I asked.

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