The Other Path
Chapter 20
"Wow," David Palomar," Rick muses over a mound of mustardy potato salad. "He had quite a story. Like you, he made it into one of the city's vaunted tech high schools. But his parents let him leave because of the long commute. I guess there's no point in spending hours on the subway when you can launch a billion-dollar enterprise from your bedroom. And he was brilliant, using his own experience with social media to construct something that would work for others with similar needs. I had a Trembler account myself for a while. Actually, I still do. I just have enough followers of my own website, so I don't need it anymore. But most of the Trembler users don't have my resources. I hope they don't lose their outlet with Palomar's death. Anyone you like for the murder?"
"Not yet. I don't even have a motive. Actually, I'm glad Leah rushed back to Mrs. Flavin to demonstrate she could put Carlisle to bed," Kate confides. "I was hoping we could brainstorm, and I can't have anyone not cleared by the department around to hear anything."
"How was Palomar killed?"
"Garotte. Dr. Murray said it was quick and silent."
"Dr. Death was there? This case really is at the top of the food chain. Well, some contract killers use them, but a garotte is a pretty personal weapon. The yielder can take satisfaction in the breath leaving the victim's body. So if I were writing it, the murderer would have a grudge, real or imagined, against Palomar."
"More likely real. And it was probably someone he knew, someone who worked in the building," Kate figures. "I can't see an intruder getting past Palomar security."
"If security is that heavy at Palomar, wouldn't the killer be on surveillance video?" Rick wonders.
"I was hoping for that. But Palomar was killed on the 16th floor. That was his private domain. He didn't allow cameras. There wasn't one in the private elevator either, although the guard scanned my badge before I was allowed to use it. Unfortunately, according to the records, no one except David was up there during the kill zone."
"The building would have to have emergency stairs to meet the fire code. Could the killer have used those?"
"The stairs do have cameras, and they didn't catch anyone who could have been on the 16th floor during the kill zone either. If Palomar had died of a gunshot or poison, I'd suspect suicide. But according to Dr. Murray, there's no way he garotted himself. Someone got into his office to do it. But I have no idea who or how."
"So what's with the furrowed brow? I thought you liked the weird ones," Rick teases.
"Maybe this one is a little too weird."
"Unless someone at Palomar is keeping teleportation technology under wraps – ooh, wouldn't that be cool – there has to be some secret way in and out of the murder scene. Can you get the building plans?"
"I was thinking the same thing. But they're under some kind of technology protection seal. Simmons is working on cutting through the red tape. But it could take a while."
"You think I could get a look at Palomar's office? I have done extensive research on hidden passages."
"Normally, that wouldn't be a problem. But right now, there's a tight lid on everything at Palomar. Still, I can talk to Simmons in the morning and see what he can do."
"Any ideas on what you want to do tonight?"
"Actually, I thought I'd catch up on Temptation Lane," Kate confesses. "I've started to lose track of who is sleeping with whom."
"Well, at least you haven't lost track of the proper usage of who and whom. Leah will probably be exhausted enough to retreat to her room when she returns. How about cuddling up and watching the bed-hopping together? Perhaps we'll garner some inspiration. I could make that decadent snack mix you like."
"The one with the dark chocolate and powdered sugar that always makes me feel mmmm?"
Rick's eyebrows do the wave. "And we could accompany it with the red wine that does the same."
"Sounds wonderful."
"I'll let the wine breathe and start melting the chocolate."
Rick makes a slow circuit of David Palomar's office. "He built himself a nice little nerd cave here."
Kate smothers a snort. "Look who's talking."
"My description is with all due appreciation," Rick protests. "And I never built any secret passages into the loft."
"I've always wondered why not," Kate confides.
"Mostly because I was afraid Alexis would appropriate them to sneak up on me. Perhaps David Palomar should have had similar reticence." Rick starts knocking softly on the walls. "If there's a space or concealed opening, it should echo unless Palomar put in sound insulation. Ooh, I have an idea." He pulls out his phone and taps the screen.
"What are you doing?"
"Activating my stud finder app. I downloaded it when Alexis and I were putting up shelves in her room. If there's a hollowed-out space behind the wall, the gap in the studs may be off."
"I didn't know you were that handy."
"A hangover from my student hovel days. If I couldn't find a stud to support a screw, impossibly thin walls could crumble to dust. I still remember a thing or two. And anyway, Alexis did most of the work. Wait! I think I've found something! If there's a passage back there, there's got to be a catch or lever or something to open it."
"Or if David Palomar put it in, it might open to an electronic signal," Kate points out.
"Which the killer would need a way to steal or decode, maybe with one of those gizmos that scan for codes that unlock cars and garages."
"Do you have one of those on your phone too?" Kate inquires.
"No, but I know where to get one. Do you remember the case of the murdered swimmer, the one where we uncovered a car theft ring? I believe one of those scanners was among the assorted pieces of equipment you took into evidence. It's probably still in the box awaiting enlistment into a more respectable cause. Couldn't you sign it out?"
Kate shrugs. "I guess. Are you sure it would work?"
"No, but can you imagine the paperwork you'd have to fill out to start poking holes in walls?"
"You have a definite point," Kate concedes. "Let's go get it."
Rick watches the numbers flick by on the scanner's readout. "I wonder how many combinations that thing will have to go through."
"Probably a lot," Kate guesses. "If David Palomar did set up an electronic lock, he wouldn't have made it easy to crack."
As a beep sounds from the scanner, Rick bounces on the balls of his feet. "That's it. It found something! This should activate any hidden entries." He pushes a button. "Did you hear that? There was a faint click somewhere." Rick starts knocking on the walls again until a panel moves inward. "We found it!"
Kate throws up her hand. "Hold it, Babe. Don't touch it! I need to get CSU in here right now."
"What if the killer is hiding in there?" Rick protests.
Kate reaches for her weapon. "Then he'll be bringing a garotte to a gunfight."
