Page 55 of Kiss Kiss Bang
“Maybe it’s just a random man who wants money,” she said.
“Maybe. But it usually doesn’t work that way. Why you? Why someone with so much security? There are much richer women who’d make easier targets.”
“That’s true.” She bit her nails as she wondered why he would single her out. The detective pressed the intercom and asked the men to turn around and face the glass. “Does he look familiar?”
She had been looking down and when she looked up and turned her attention to the third man, her face paled and her knees buckled.
“You okay?” Joey asked, alarmed.
“I—I know him.”
And then the sonofabitch smirked into the mirror and winked. She knew he couldn’t see her, but he did that all-too-familiar wink she hadn’t seen in twenty years.
She reached behind her for the metal chair and sat down before she collapsed. “His name is Colin Mathers. He’s from New York. I grew up next door to him and his brother. He was always a troublemaker. His brother was my best friend.”
“What’s his brother’s name? Do you know anything else? Date of birth?”
“His brother is Connor Mathers. And his date of birth is May 8, 1979.”
Her answer had been fast, and the detective furrowed his brows. “You sound very certain about that.”
“We were very close.” For years she was the only one who remembered that date, just like he was the only one who remembered hers.
“Can you please grab her some water?” Joey demanded as he knelt in front of her.
The detective told an officer to clear out the suspects. “Be right back. I’m going to check on both of the Mathers. Hang tight.”
“Who are these men, Livie?”
“I grew up next door to them. But I didn’t really know Colin that well. He was always in and out of juvie. But his brother, Connor, he was my best friend. There’s no way he’s behind any of this. His brother’s bad news but Connor is a good guy.”
The detective came back a few moments later. “There was a warrant out for Colin Mathers’s arrest. The prints and photos in the database match.”
“Great,” she said. “So he’ll stay in jail, right?”
“At least for the time being, yes.”
She sighed in relief. “Good.”
“Yeah,” Joey agreed, “but this doesn’t sit well with me.”
“I know. We’ll question him and let you know what we find.”
“Did you search on Connor?” Joey asked.
“He was in prison for the last six years, here in Florida. Has been out for about six months. He has a long record. Stay clear of him. Bad news. Armed robbery, drug possession, battery on a law enforcement officer. He’s on parole up in Ocala, and has been checking in, but I’ll contact his parole officer.”
The detective stretched his arms and shook Joey and Olivia’s hands before escorting them out.
Once in the car headed to ICS to pick up Sophie, Joey let out a breath. “I’m so glad he’s behind bars. But I feel like we’re missing something big. Why you? Why all of a sudden? What about his brother?”
“He probably saw me on television and thought I’d be an easy target.”
She laid her head back against the car seat and closed her eyes, trying to regulate her breathing. Connor Mathers. Talk about a name from the past. A name she didn’t particularly want to think about. At some point Joey took her hand in his, but he didn’t speak and she was glad for the silence because so many things were swirling through her mind—relief being the uppermost.
Once Sophie was in the car animatedly telling Joey what she’d colored with Annie, Olivia asked, “do you mind swinging by my office really quick? I’d like to pick up a brief for a speech I need to prepare for.”
He hesitated and she added, “He’s behind bars.”
