he mention that Parker had dealings with some guys in Savannah?”
“When questioned, Mr. Crisp mentioned that to one ofmy investigators, yes,” said Tidwell. “We dug further and discovered the key person is a man by the name of Lyle Manship who owns various restaurants, among other things.”
“Did Chef Toby tell your investigator that Manship was kind of a scary guy?” Theodosia asked.
“I believe he alluded to it.”
Theodosia drew breath. “
Is
Manship a scary guy?”
Tidwell glanced about the tea shop, as if to make sure no one was listening in on their conversation. Then he leaned forward and said, “I tell you this in complete confidence.”
“Yes,” said Theodosia. “Of course.”
“In the past, Lyle Manship has been linked to smuggling and laundering money.”
“Seriously?” What had Parker gotten himself into?
“Let me emphasize
linked
,” said Tidwell. “No charges have ever stuck. The man is like Teflon.”
“Smuggling what?” asked Theodosia.
“Narcotics.”
“And laundering money? That sounds serious.”
“Trust me,” said Tidwell, “both the Justice and Treasury Departments are vehemently opposed to such things.”
Theodosia watched Tidwell finish his scone, then reach for a second one, as she continued to turn things over in her mind. Thisinvestigation—because that was what it was now, an official policeinvestigation—seemed to be careening off at a crazy angle. Could Parker have been involved in drugs? Or money laundering? Her instincts told her no. Absolutely not. That he had been interested only in a restaurant deal. Still, Parker could have been pulled into something unwittingly.
“I have a confession to make,” said Theodosia. In light of what Tidwell had just shared with her, she felt the need to come clean.
One corner of Tidwell’s pudgy mouth turned downward. “What’s that?”
“I went to Parker’s office last night and looked around.”
Tidwell’s expression never changed. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
Theodosia continued. “And I have to say, that empty file kind of threw me.”
Tidwell chewed thoughtfully. “The Current Projects file? Yes, when I skimmed the officer’s report I also found it strange.”
“My guess is that someone stole the full contents.”
“That someone being the murderer?” said Tidwell.
“Not sure,” said Theodosia. “Maybe. If there was some kind of incriminating evidence in the file…about financing or property or something.”
Tidwell swallowed. “All in all, a very large
if
.”
“What did your guys find in Parker’s computer?”
“Basically nothing. It’s almost as if he was a technophobe.”
“He was, sort of,” said Theodosia, smiling wistfully. Although Parker hadn’t been as bad as Drayton, who eschewed cell phones and still played vinyl records. “So what’s next?”
“For you, nothing. For me, I continue to investigate,” said Tidwell.
“But you’re going to keep me in the loop,” said Theodosia.
“No,” said Tidwell.
“Can I make a copy of the note?” Theodosia asked.
“For what purpose?” said Tidwell.
“Just my own…edification.”
“No,” said Tidwell.
“You’re not being very forthcoming,” said Theodosia. “After all, I’m the one who spotted the defensive wounds on Parker’s hands. I’m the one who kicked off this investigation.”
“And the Robbery-Homicide Division of the Charleston Police Department commends you for that,” said Tidwell. “In fact, you have our undying gratitude.” He reached for a piece of sweet bread, then changed his mind.
“Except… ?” said Theodosia.
“Except from here on, my dear Miss Browning, you are hereby relegated to concerned citizen status. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment with the Coast Guard.”
“Are you serious about me staying out of this?”
“Please,” said Tidwell. “Whoever committed this crime is a very dangerous and sick individual. Please leave any and all
“When questioned, Mr. Crisp mentioned that to one ofmy investigators, yes,” said Tidwell. “We dug further and discovered the key person is a man by the name of Lyle Manship who owns various restaurants, among other things.”
“Did Chef Toby tell your investigator that Manship was kind of a scary guy?” Theodosia asked.
“I believe he alluded to it.”
Theodosia drew breath. “
Is
Manship a scary guy?”
Tidwell glanced about the tea shop, as if to make sure no one was listening in on their conversation. Then he leaned forward and said, “I tell you this in complete confidence.”
“Yes,” said Theodosia. “Of course.”
“In the past, Lyle Manship has been linked to smuggling and laundering money.”
“Seriously?” What had Parker gotten himself into?
“Let me emphasize
linked
,” said Tidwell. “No charges have ever stuck. The man is like Teflon.”
“Smuggling what?” asked Theodosia.
“Narcotics.”
“And laundering money? That sounds serious.”
“Trust me,” said Tidwell, “both the Justice and Treasury Departments are vehemently opposed to such things.”
Theodosia watched Tidwell finish his scone, then reach for a second one, as she continued to turn things over in her mind. Thisinvestigation—because that was what it was now, an official policeinvestigation—seemed to be careening off at a crazy angle. Could Parker have been involved in drugs? Or money laundering? Her instincts told her no. Absolutely not. That he had been interested only in a restaurant deal. Still, Parker could have been pulled into something unwittingly.
“I have a confession to make,” said Theodosia. In light of what Tidwell had just shared with her, she felt the need to come clean.
One corner of Tidwell’s pudgy mouth turned downward. “What’s that?”
“I went to Parker’s office last night and looked around.”
Tidwell’s expression never changed. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
Theodosia continued. “And I have to say, that empty file kind of threw me.”
Tidwell chewed thoughtfully. “The Current Projects file? Yes, when I skimmed the officer’s report I also found it strange.”
“My guess is that someone stole the full contents.”
“That someone being the murderer?” said Tidwell.
“Not sure,” said Theodosia. “Maybe. If there was some kind of incriminating evidence in the file…about financing or property or something.”
Tidwell swallowed. “All in all, a very large
if
.”
“What did your guys find in Parker’s computer?”
“Basically nothing. It’s almost as if he was a technophobe.”
“He was, sort of,” said Theodosia, smiling wistfully. Although Parker hadn’t been as bad as Drayton, who eschewed cell phones and still played vinyl records. “So what’s next?”
“For you, nothing. For me, I continue to investigate,” said Tidwell.
“But you’re going to keep me in the loop,” said Theodosia.
“No,” said Tidwell.
“Can I make a copy of the note?” Theodosia asked.
“For what purpose?” said Tidwell.
“Just my own…edification.”
“No,” said Tidwell.
“You’re not being very forthcoming,” said Theodosia. “After all, I’m the one who spotted the defensive wounds on Parker’s hands. I’m the one who kicked off this investigation.”
“And the Robbery-Homicide Division of the Charleston Police Department commends you for that,” said Tidwell. “In fact, you have our undying gratitude.” He reached for a piece of sweet bread, then changed his mind.
“Except… ?” said Theodosia.
“Except from here on, my dear Miss Browning, you are hereby relegated to concerned citizen status. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment with the Coast Guard.”
“Are you serious about me staying out of this?”
“Please,” said Tidwell. “Whoever committed this crime is a very dangerous and sick individual. Please leave any and all
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