Couples
Chapter 82
When Kate knocks on her fifteenth apartment, it seems like it's her hundredth. Most of the tenants were home, but they resented having to take the time to answer her questions. She can understand wanting a last sip of coffee or time to scan the news before going to work, but she has a job too. And none of them were founts of information. If they heard anything at all, it was the same cries from the airshaft. Some were able to confirm a high voice. One was with Camfert on the nasal part, but that was it.
Kate isn't expecting much from the woman who opens the door. "Ms. Rehnquist?"
"Yeah, right. But I still answer to Dimmer. My divorce was only final a couple of months ago," Rehnquist replies.
Kate's mouth falls open. "Wait a minute, Dimmer? Were you married to Sergeant Tom Dimmer of the N.Y.P.D.?"
"That's the jerk. You know him?"
"I just took over one of his cases," Kate explains, "one involving this building. Some of the tenants reported hearing cries for help from the airshaft."
"Oh yeah. Someone told me about that when I was putting my clothes in the dryer in the laundry room," Rehnquist recalls. "I was in Atlantic City celebrating my freedom when the incident happened."
"How long have you lived here?" Kate asks.
"About ten years. I tossed Tom out about six months ago when I found out he – we don't have to go into that."
"It might have something to do with the case," Kate prompts.
Rehnquist shrugs. "I don't see how. Old story. I found out he was having an affair. Actually, I found out he had lots of them – with men."
Kate's eyes widen. "Dimmer is gay?"
"More like bisexual, I guess. He wasn't bad in bed with me. But I thought we were supposed to be exclusive. I guess that's old-fashioned."
"I don't think so, and neither do the courts," Kate responds. "So, does he still have a key to this place?"
"He does. I suppose I should have had the lock changed. But it wouldn't have done much good. He paid attention during lockpicking class. He could get in anyway. And he still has a few things here to pick up. He comes when I'm not home."
"I understand." Kate passes Rehnquist one of her cards. "If you think of anything, or hear anything else in the laundry room, feel free to give me a call."
"All right, Detective, but I really don't know anything."
"Sometimes, Ms. Rehnquist," Kate replies, "People don't know how much they know."
"Captain, we have a problem," Kate declares, closing the door to Montgomery's office behind her.
"Yes, we do," Montgomery agrees. "You're behind in checking reports. Why is that, Beckett?"
"Because I believe that the cop who wrote one of those reports is a murderer," Kate replies.
Montgomery cradles his face in his hands. "All right. Tell me the story."
"So, so far, the clues lead to Dimmer taking his victim up to that apartment. Letting himself in, knowing that his ex-wife wouldn't be home. Maybe he tortured him a while, making him call for help. But eventually, he killed him," Kate summarizes. "And as a cop, he'd know how to clean up after himself."
"But Beckett," Montgomery interjects, "we still don't have a body."
"A cop could figure out how to dispose of one," Kate argues. "And Dimmer moved onto Missing Persons. That's not exactly a step up, but if his victim was reported missing, he could bury or pull the file."
Montgomery shakes his head. "What you're telling me sounds more like one of your husband's stories than a case, Beckett. But I'll give you some rope. Just don't hang yourself with it. What's your next move?"
"Recanvass the neighborhood, especially the bodega and the bars. I think there's a gay bar within a few blocks. I'll ask if anyone's been seen with Dimmer or anyone's disappeared."
"All right," Montgomery agrees, "but if you don't come up with anything, then we'll really have a problem."
"I'll come up with something," Kate promises. "A man can't cheat on his wife that much and for that long without leaving a trail."
"Wow!" Rick exclaims. "I thought Dimmer was hiding something, but I didn't peg him as a murderer."
"I don't have any proof that he is," Kate admits. "I don't even have proof there was a murder, just a bunch of very suspicious circumstances. Now that I know what I'm looking for, I can find out more tomorrow. So how was your day?"
"Aside from riding herd on a rambunctious toddler? I made the call to Curtis Oliver for Alexis. He sounded almost as pissed off at the wi-fi screw-up as she was. Hudson U is his alma mater, and he doesn't like that it's falling down on the job. I think my crusading daughter will find fertile ground there.
"And Lily and I made a visit to Imagination Patch. I table-hopped with the regulars and passed your compliment on the steak salad on to Auchincloss. I also asked him if he was still looking to open his Pot Pie Palace, or whatever he wants to call it. He was excited that I inquired. Apparently, after the stress of his divorce, he needs something hopeful to focus on. Anyway, he's going to submit a business plan to me. Of course, I'll have Mark look it over. And my business manager will threaten to take off for Jamaica, but it might fly. And I started outlining my new Derrick Storm book with a Dimmer-based character. But now I'll have to change him from a lazy spy to – whatever he turns out to be."
"Or," Kate suggests, "you could finish your outline tonight. Maybe it will give me some ideas."
"I would be happy to do that," Rick agrees, "but if I'm going to make much progress, you'll be on toddler wrangling duty. However, Lily spent enough time today toting around Pegin and giving Gamoee rides that she should be off to dreamland in an hour or two. And then, perhaps, we can do some plotting and planning of our own."
"Sounds good. But," Kate adds," heading for a kitchen cabinet, "I need…"
"Chocolate," Rick finishes.
Kate gazes up at a shelf. "Ooh, when did you get in another order of the good stuff?"
"I didn't. Since Alexis moved out, I relocated the sumptuous snack from the safe to a more accessible zone."
Kate reaches for a 65% cacao bar. "This is so amazing."
"No more so than my incredible wife. While you get your buzz on, I'll change Lily."
Closing her eyes, Kate rolls the dark richness around on her tongue. "How did I ever end up with a husband like you?"
"I'd love to say that my charm won you over. But from what I've gathered, it was divine intervention. Your angelic mother pushed you toward me."
"I think she'd get a good laugh out of being called angelic," Kate notes.
"Non-corporeal then. Whatever you want to call her incarnation, I'd class marrying you as a miracle."
Laying her chocolate on the counter, Kate wraps her arms around Rick's waist. "I believe I can go along with that." She sniffs. "Especially since you're on diaper duty."
Rick sighs as Kate detaches herself. If he does a good enough job on his outline, and Kate can get Lily settled, there'll be more intimate contact later. Much more intimate contact.