It was Friday morning. Tomorrow would mark one week since Goddard was handed the Towson murder case. The more he thought of Sandy Reid, the more he realized he had developed no additional evidence against her brother. She says he's innocent, yet it sounded as though she didn't actually know what he'd been up to the last few years.
Goddard felt the investigation was stalling out, no new evidence and no new suspects. Most likely, that was the reason for Moran calling a meeting this morning. When he arrived, he was pleased to find a DNA report on his desk left by the CSI team. He scanned the report, smiled and walked to the chief's office.
There was no indication from his clear desk that the chief was in the middle of a major homicide investigation. He set aside his Garden Design magazine. "Chip, did you know Saintpaulias were brought to this country from Africa in the early 1900's? That's why we call them African Violets."
"Thanks, I've always wondered about that." Goddard handed the report to the chief. "We got a hit. DNA from Norma Martin's cigarette butt matches items in Towson's bathroom."
The chief tried to appear interested. "So, the restaurant owner was his lover and all those rumors are true."
"So what if she's the lover? Does that help me solve this murder? And she's married. Hard to believe Towson was that reckless. Where's her husband? I need to dig into her background. What's going on at her restaurant and possibly in Tampa?"
"Tampa?"
"I'm afraid this might lead there. If it does, I'm out of my league. Cuban-Americans in Tampa can be a tight group. Where would I start?"
"The State of Florida could step in. It has organized crime units and all that high-tech stuff," the chief offered.
"Yeah, why don't you suggest to Moran we turn over this investigation to Tallahassee?"
"Not me."
"Is he aware of what we found on Linda Call?"
"Not yet. He's on his way right now. Before he gets here, Chip, tell me what's going on with you and Reid's sister? She embarrassed the department with her charges, and that item in the paper didn't help."
Goddard pointed to the garden magazine. "Like you care?"
"Ah, hell, Moran found out about you meeting her, and I got my ass chewed."
"Sorry about that. Nevertheless, I'm going to listen to anyone with information about this case. I'd rather she talk to me than to the papers."
"Reid's attorney will scream bloody murder, if she tells you something that ends up in the trial."
"She's been warned. She talks to me at her brother's risk."