Lonesome Lawmen

Six-3

“Okay,” Matt straddled one of the chairs that circled the conference table, “let’s be more smart and less frustrated and try to find our witness before we all turn gray.”

Alice, who had taken a seat on a small table off to one side, arched her carefully sculpted brows. “Funny she hasn’t turned herself in, especially after your well-reasoned request.”

“Don’t mess with me, Alice. I’m not in the mood.” Matt hadn’t been in the mood for much since their abortive visit to the city zoo. That it had been a perfect day for a stroll merely added insult to injury. “We can’t wait for her to pick up her mail. Hayes is on the move. So let’s have your ideas, suggestions, intuitions. I’ll even accept revelations from God and hallucinations that aren’t drug induced.”

His gaze swept the table, stopping briefly on each member of his team. Sebastian had chosen the chair at the table’s head, but lacked the authority to go with it without his computer keyboard. He shrugged and looked apologetic. Riggs straddled a chair just across from Matt and was using the chair back as a pillow. He did open his eyes long enough to look despairing. Henry was too restless to sit. He paced back and forth between the surveillance equipment and the table “smoking” a fountain pen and muttering to himself.

With some reluctance, Matt angled his body to face Alice. She frowned into space and didn’t immediately realize she had his attention. When she did, she straightened and said uneasily, “What?”

“Give us some of that famous women’s intuition, Alice,” Riggs muttered, relaxing an impossible inch more across his forearms. He covered a yawn by lifting his elbow, then added, “Or you could get us men some coffee?”

This feeble jab in their friendly, ongoing battle of the sexes earned him a quick, resigned glance. “I’m fresh out of both, I’m afraid.”

Matt rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Do we even know what Gwynne’s wearing right now?”

“Probably not.” Alice lifted a sheet. “When she left Ryan’s she was wearing the Saks suit. When she walked away from church, she was wearing the Saks suit. But—”

She didn’t have to finish. No one had arrived at the zoo wearing a Saks suit. They didn’t even know if she had gone to the zoo. They didn’t know squat.

Matt didn’t like it. As Riggs had pointed out yesterday, she was a romance writer and they were the Marshals. This was not the way it was supposed to be.

“I’ve got a description of her watch and shoes,” she offered with the same hopeful air she’d probably use giving sand to a thirsty man.

“A watch and a pair of shoes. Why am I not excited? She could have already dumped them.”

Alice’s smile showed some teeth. “Since you’re a man and couldn’t possibly understand the irresistible appeal of comfortable shoes, I’ll cut you some slack, Matt. It’s just—” She gave a frustrated sigh. “She’s not just changing her clothes. She’s changing herself.”

Henry stopped his pacing and looked thoughtful. He liked to think he had a sensitive side. “She has done community theater back in the Big Easy, Matt.”

“Then let’s find out what parts she’s played. Like I said, more brains, less frustration.” Matt had a thought. “Ryan mentioned some book—Alice?”

“Lord of the Rings. We found it at the crime scene, remember?”

Matt nodded. “I want to take a look at it. And her books. The ones she reads and the ones she writes. You’re a fan, Alice. You got copies?”

“A new fan. I have one. Plan to get more.”

“Fine. Plan to do it now. Make a list and give it to Henry. You don’t mind buying some romance novels, do you?” Henry obviously did, but he couldn’t say so without looking insensitive. “Check local bookstores. If you strike out there, try the library. The sun’s going down on day two, people. I want a lead before it comes up again.” He turned to Sebastian. “Speaking of leads, you got anything on any local acquaintances she might go to next?”

Sebastian rubbed his bony chin. “Well, I got a long list of local people who are online. Having a little trouble deciding who she’d turn to. It’s not like we have time to call them all.”

Matt looked at Alice. “Librarians? Writers? Booksellers?”

Alice shrugged. “It’s a place to start. We can cross reference by hobbies, interests, occupation, eliminate the obviously non-compatibles.”

“And level of contact,” Sebastian put in. “I can identify the ones she’s talked to a lot under her known identity. I should have something on any other identities from Boomer by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

“Good. Go to it, people.” He leaned back in his chair as they filed out on their separate errands. He was the only one with nothing to do but think. Had she received his email? What would she do when she did?