Page 78 of Exposed

“I Google-mapped it.”

Mary looked over, surprised. “That was a good idea. I should’ve thought of that.”

Bennie shrugged it off. “It had a street-view photo, but it was taken in winter. I think it will be different in summer. We’ll see.”

Mary felt guilty that Bennie was being so helpful and kept trying to put the partnership dispute to the back of her mind, but wasn’t succeeding. Bennie had worked her butt off last night, digging into the case, organizing the files, and setting up a war room in the conference room. She had even taken orders from Mary, who was trying to get used to being the one giving orders. It felt strange to be the driver of a car in which Bennie Rosato was a passenger, both literally and figuratively.

Bennie pointed to the right. “Go that way, it’s back there.”

“Thanks.” Mary slowed to let a golf cart go by, then followed the curve around the clubhouse. To her left was a set of tennis courts, already full of singles and doubles players, and beyond that, just ahead, on the left was a driving range that had golfers whacking the ball into the distance.

“This is the first parking lot,” Bennie said, gesturing, and Mary looked around to see a large parking lot shaped like a square, mostly already full.

“I guess people get here early to avoid the heat.”

“Probably.”

“That’s it, up ahead.” Mary drove forward and pointed to a secondary parking lot beyond the large one, a smaller square that was completely empty and cordoned off by yellow crime-scene tape, a grisly note that was incongruous in the lovely, exclusive setting.

“I see.”

Mary fell silent. A man had died here, horribly. The thought made her sick inside, even though Simon could be on the hook. Murder would always be more than a crime to her. It was a sin.

“You okay?” Bennie asked, cocking her head.

“Yes.” Mary shook it off. A single police cruiser idled at the entrance to the secondary parking lot, and inside sat a uniformed policeman, probably running the air conditioner.

“Where does Todd park again?” Bennie asked. “In the very last spot?”

“Yes, in the farthest corner.” Mary cruised around the perimeter of the first lot. “I’m approaching it the way Simon did, around the outside.”

“I don’t know if those other cars that were parked here will yield anything.”

“Me neither. If the killer knew Todd parked at the far corner and wanted to get him, they’d wait for him in the second lot. No reason to risk being seen running from one car to the next.” Mary eyed the empty spot where Todd would have parked, but noticed that on its far side was an expanse of grass, then thick bushes. Beyond that were oak trees. “Look at that, beyond the lot. That’s interesting.”

“I know what you’re thinking. I noticed the same thing.” Bennie craned her neck, as Mary pulled up behind the police cruiser.

“The killer could’ve come on foot, from behind those bushes.”

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking last night. On Google Maps, the bushes had died back because it was winter. Nobody would’ve been able to hide there because they would be seen. But in full bloom, those bushes would hide anybody behind them.”

“Right.” Mary felt her heart beat faster. She cut the ignition and reached for her purse. “We have to see what’s on the other side of the bushes and trees. If there’s access, then things are looking up.”

“Bingo.” Bennie and Mary got out of the car, and the uniformed officer emerged from the cruiser, leaving it idling.

“Good morning,” the cop said, with a smile. He was older and stocky, with a silvery mustache and thick glasses that covered warm brown eyes. He held a clipboard, and his name tag readPATTERO.

“Officer, I’m Mary DiNunzio and this is my—” Mary stopped herself, then let it go. “My partner Bennie Rosato.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Officer Pattero handed Mary the clipboard, which held a crime-scene log and an attached ballpoint pen. “Please sign in, and include your address, phone number, and the time and date.”

“Sure.” Mary filled in the information, then handed it to Bennie, who did the same thing and handed it back.

“Ladies, thank you very much. You’re free to look around and take any pictures or measurements you need.” Officer Pattero gestured beyond the cordon. “I’ll wait in the car and please touch base with me to sign out.”

“Thank you,” Mary said, ducking under the cordon, with Bennie right behind her.

“I brought a measuring tape.”

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