"Broussard, John A - Kay Yoshinobu - Death On Watch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Broussard John A)

"Are you sure he didn't make that patrol - maybe in someone else's car?"

Solage shook his head emphatically. "No other car there. He'd a told me if there was one. Nope. He just must have surprised that burglar and argued with him about getting into the development. They're not supposed to do that. Ben wasn't armed. He was just supposed to tell him no, and if there were any problems get on the blower to 911. Of course, the crook may just have shot him once he saw he was there. Keep from being identified that way. It's a shame. Ben was a good worker."

"I guess it was just plain bad luck the truck didn't work."

"Nah. It was an old clunker. I'm surprised Ben didn't have more trouble with it than he did."

* * *

Lofton proved to be a very different breed from Solage. Medium height, broad shouldered, with a heavy shock of gray hair, he looked like a distinguished United States Senator from the days when senators were expected to look - and act - distinguished.

"My wife and I were asleep in the master bedroom when it happened. Right after breakfast, she noticed that some things were missing. Fortunately, I long ago inventoried all of our valuables. It's a precaution my insurance agent urged on me, and now I'm happy I took his advice. I can give you a copy."

Kay wasn't especially interested in the list, but accepting it seemed a good start at getting the information she was really seeking.

"Do you have any idea what time the burglary took place?"

"Sometime between eleven and seven-thirty. I can't narrow it down any more than that."

"So you heard nothing?"

"That's right. Not a sound. That Watkins has the makings of a first-class cat burglar. Of course, what he took was in the other wing of the house."

"Did you know him at all?"

"I hired him to do some tree pruning and hedge trimming. He wasn't much of a worker. I can see why he was trying his hand at burglary."

"Did you know the guard who was killed?"

Lofton shook his head. "Not by name. I think I know which one, though. He was usually on the night shift. Would wave me through if I came in late."

* * *

Sid was no help to Kay's morale, but he did set her off on a different tack. "You're going to run out of people to interview. Not that it makes much difference. The gun in his car is all the prosecution's going to need. They'll just argue that the guard stopped him, and Mark killed him to keep from being identified. And, as far as I'm concerned, that's what happened."

"That's exactly what the security manager said. And you're right: that's what the prosecution is going to argue." She paused. "Maybe that's the key. If Mark didn't kill Franco, then someone planted the gun in his car. He claims the police did, but I didn't give that much credence. They all say that."

Sid shrugged. "It's obvious enough. If you're going to insist on believing Mark, then the murderer planted it there."

"Right. And that's what I should be trying to find out. Who knew that Mark was in the subdivision at the time of the killing? Mark might just possibly be able to tell me who."

** * *

Mark's pleasure at having yet another visit from his attorney was severely diluted by the first question she asked. "Did anyone know you were going to burglarize the Lofton home?"

"I'm not sure." He squirmed uneasily.

Kay tried to curb her annoyance, but it crept into her voice. "What do you mean you're not sure?"