Hello - a short chapter today and then a long weekend out of town. I'll be back the beginning of next week, so it shouldn't be too long. Hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend.
After their meal and coffee, Mike cleared his throat and gave Steve the signal. It was time to go. They had learned quite a bit on this trip. They interviewed the widow and her friends. They went to the school - the last place that Jacob Goldman was seen - and interviewed some of the school officials. They learned that there was no camera set up, but were able to confirm that at least someone was at the school that evening.
There still was the matter of motive and what happened to his car. Mike wanted to know if Goldman had driven himself to San Francisco. From the autopsy report, they knew that the body hadn't been in the water long, but at this point didn't have a precise time of death. That was a piece of information he hoped to gain from Bernie.
And then there was Beverly. Mike wasn't sure exactly what to make of her, but the former teacher's story about David Goldman and the mob he ran with was quite compelling. The younger Goldman brother was at the top of this list of persons of interest. Peering across the booth at the attractive brunette, he could tell that her hand was not on her lap, but likely resting either on or near his partner. Steve looked a bit distracted, which would go to follow. He also saw Steve scoot a little bit away from the woman which told Mike that she was making some advances that weren't public.
"Pete, it's been great meeting you," Mike announced, jolting everyone from their thoughts. "We'll keep in touch, right?"
"Yes sir," Pete answered. "We'll keep a special look out for the car. Please let us know any new developments from your end too. I have to feel that if the murder didn't occur here, it somehow ties to something here, whether it's his brother or something else."
Mike nodded. "Beverly, it was also nice meeting you. I'm glad to hear that you have built your life back."
"Thank you," she said sweetly. "Thank you all," she added as she looked at each man. Her last glance was to the man to her left. "It was great seeing you, Steve. You sure have changed from the last time I saw you."
"I'm quite grateful I don't look eleven anymore, Ms. Isaacs," he responded.
"Again, call me Beverly. And yes, I see the braces and glasses are gone..."
"Replaced with straightened teeth and contact lenses."
"And about another foot in height, I'll guess," she said as she winked.
Steve sat for a moment when a thought entered his mind. "Your aunt!"
Beverly was genuinely pleased and rewarded all at the table with a wide smile. "Oh she'd be so happy that you remembered her."
"I'm sorry I didn't ask until now. So she is okay? Is she still teaching?" Steve asked as Mike wanted to get up and physically pull his partner away.
"Yes, she's doing fine. When I told her that I might be seeing you today, she wanted me to say hello."
"Aw, that's nice," Steve answered.
"Oh and she wants to know if you continued playing after you and your family moved," Beverly quickly added.
"Actually, I did until high school. Then I finally got taller and began playing sports instead."
"Well, at least the music continued for a while. You were doing pretty well with her, so I imagine you ended up with some decent skills."
"I was taught by the best, that's for sure. But I never got anywhere close to being the student she deserved," Steve looked across the table and saw his partner fidgeting, but also curious.
"Mrs. Isaacs is one of the best piano teachers around. My wife took lessons from her years ago. Lovely woman," Pete added.
"Yes, she is terrific," Steve recalled.
"Piano? Buddy boy, you've held back from me. I didn't know," Mike interjected playfully.
"Well, I was no junior Van Cliburn, that's for sure. And quite frankly I haven't had access to a piano since I left home. But it's a good background to have. No regrets."
Mike smirked. "I was thinking more of Liberace with his wild clothes..."
"Very funny," Steve sighed. "And with that, I think it's time to go!"
