Faye Kellerman - Predator

“I don’t know how tall she is, but she looks very thin.” Decker pushed a button and printed out her picture from the sanctuary’s web site. He gave it to Marge. “She was Fern Robeson’s protégée. She asked me about Penny’s will when I spoke to her.”

“Really,” Marge said. “That’s not only crass, but it also says to me that she has something to gain by his death.”

“Penny was giving her money while he was alive,” Decker said. “Unless she expects a windfall once he dies, why knock him off? And that brings up another question. Penny was old. Why kill him at all? Makes more sense to just wait it out and let nature take its course.”

Marge said, “Darius Penny said his old man was mercurial. If the old guy was about to change his will and leave you nothing, you might want him dead before he has a chance to make the change.”

“How would Vignette Garrison know if he was about to change his will?”

“Maybe she pissed him off,” Marge said. “Maybe he told her.”

“Why would he tell her?”

“To manipulate her or maybe just to be mean,” Marge said. “Darius said his father had made a lot of enemies. He was a mean guy, especially when he drank.” She thought a moment. “I don’t remember seeing alcohol bottles around. I’ll ask Scott about that.”

Decker ran his fingers through gray hairs streaked with youthful red. “If Darius Penny’s firm handled the estate, he would know if his dad was changing the will.”

“He doesn’t seem like a good prospect for the murder. He’s rich in his own right. Plus for the last two months, Darius has been at work from seven in the morning to midnight.”

“And you’ve verified that?”

“Not yet, but something like that would be easily verifiable. He works in a skyscraper near the Battery. Those buildings have video cameras everywhere.” Marge gave him a smile. “If you want to send me to New York for verification, I’m willing.”

“I bet you are.” Decker laughed. “Look, sister, I’ve put in for meals and gas money for your upcoming trip to Santa Barbara. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. All you’ll find there is bad breath.”

Arriving home by seven in the evening, Decker was surprised to find the house dimly lit with no aromas wafting from the kitchen. He flipped on additional living room lamps and called out Rina’s name, but received no answer. It was unlike his wife to be a no-show without explanation. Maybe it was time to check his phone message. Then Gabe came out of his room.

Decker said, “Any idea where my wife is?”

“Your wife had a school meeting. She said she’d be home around nine.”

“Fabulous.”

“There are some leftover cold cuts and potato salad in the fridge.”

“Sounds real yummy.”

Gabe smiled. “Wanna go out? I wouldn’t mind a steak. I’ll even pay. My bank account is flush.”

“Steak is fine with me, and I’m not yet destitute.”

“Want me to drive?”

Decker held up a finger as he listened to his phone message, then stowed his phone in his pocket. “Uh, how about we take the Porsche?”

“That’s fine. I can drive a stick.”

“You can, but you won’t.” Decker went over to a desk drawer and fished out the ignition key. “I’ll get the car and meet you out front. Put on the alarm.”

Five minutes later, Gabe hopped into the passenger seat of Decker’s silver 911 Targa. He was wearing a black T-shirt and a pair of jeans two sizes too big. He wasn’t making a fashion statement with his pants. Of late the kid hadn’t eaten enough to maintain his weight. “Thanks for rescuing me from starvation.”

“I was working all day. What is your excuse for not eating?”

“I dunno. It took me a long time to settle down.”

“From the news about Dylan Lashay.”

“Yeah. Wow, what a relief! I’ve been a basket case this last month just thinking about testifying. God, I’m glad it’s over! Maybe I can finally move forward.”

“Maybe you can put on a couple of pounds. I’ve heard that Manhattan has one or two good restaurants. Take my daughter out and the check is on me. When are you going back?”

“Tuesday.”

Decker was taken aback. “You’re staying through the weekend?”

“Yeah, like I explained to Rina, I just want to unwind a little bit.”

Decker threw him a look, and Gabe blushed. “So when are you meeting her?”

“What?”

“Don’t snow me, kid. You’re a terrible liar.” Gabe was silent. Decker said, “Don’t do it, Gabriel. It’ll set you back. Just as important, it’ll set her back. And from a selfish point of view, I don’t want to have to deal with her parents again.”

“They won’t find out.”

“That’s what you said the last time. And stop clenching your teeth.”

Gabe tried to relax. “Are you going to rat me out?”

“I should, but I won’t.” The boy had curled into in a ball. “Gabe, you need to think of her welfare.”

“Peter, I swear we’re not gonna do anything.” A lie: Decker wasn’t buying it. “I barely had contact with her the past couple of years.” Another lie that didn’t wash. Finally Gabe threw up his hands. “What’s the big deal?”

“Gabriel, if her parents find out, she’s got a lot more to lose than you do.”

He ran his hand over his head. “For the record, she called me.”

“That’s irrelevant. You’re the one who has to say no.”

“I don’t want to say no. Why should I?”

“Because she’s smitten with you and can’t think straight.”

“I’m smitten with her.”

“I don’t doubt that, but guys function differently. You’re both way too young for commitment. Surely there are girls in New York that come with a lot less baggage.”

“Surely there are, but I’m not interested, okay?”

Decker smiled. “Must be true love.”

“Can we change the subject? How’s the tiger doing?”

“Funny you should ask. I’m going to visit her tomorrow at a wild animal sanctuary.”

“Cool. Can I come with you?”

Decker looked at him. “You want to come with me?”

“Sure. It sounds interesting. I love what I do, but occasionally it might be fun to venture outside.”

“Uh, it’s official business.”

“Okay. I understand.”

Decker shrugged. “I suppose you can tour around while I conduct my interviews.”

“That would be great! Who are you interviewing?”

“Can’t say. It’s part of an ongoing murder investigation.”

“Can I help?”

Decker held back a smile. “Uh, I think I’ve got it covered.”

“I’m sure you do.” Gabe laughed. “Thanks for letting me come. I promise I won’t get mauled by a lion.”

“Maybe you’d rather face a lion than face Yasmine’s father?”

“We’re back there again?”

“All I’m saying is we both could use a good steak dinner and everyone’s entitled to a last meal.”

“Nothing is going to happen!” Gabe said.

“Yeah, yeah, famous last words.” Decker parked the car in front of a kosher steak house. “Let’s go, Romeo.”

The two of them got out of the car. Gabe said, “Thanks for taking me out to dinner.”

“My pleasure.”

“And thanks also for being a cool guy.”

“I’m a cool guy?”

“Peter, you are the essence of coolness. If everyone was as cool as you are, we’d never have to worry about global warming.”

Sliding up the on-ramp of the 210, Decker followed the Foothill freeway for forty-plus miles until it hit Highway 15, a dividing line between Angeles Crest and the San Bernardino Mountains. The range, going north and south, cleaved Southern California into Pacific Ocean to the west and the Mojave Desert on the east, the lowest place in the United States at 282 feet below sea level.