Dani Hayward P.I.: The Joshua Franklin File Page 3
Dani Hayward stepped into Chief Harold Lindsay's private office and closed the door. His call asking her to be at his office at two o'clock had taken her by surprise. Harold Lindsay had a reputation for being the most hard-nosed chief in the state and it was no secret that he disliked Private Investigators.
"Have a seat Miss Hayward." His arm swung to the left. "This is Captain Gerald Thompson, the head of our detective division."
The brunette looked at the uniformed man who was perched on the front corner of the Chief's desk. "Hello Captain." She summed him up in a quick glance, noting something in his eyes she did not trust.
Lindsay's hand lowered to a thick folder that lay on the desk in front of him as the brunette eased into the same chair she had occupied earlier. "This is a copy of our file on the Joshua Franklin case. Joshua Franklin, one of the founders of this city, was murdered eight years ago in the study of his private residence. Captain Thompson and I have decided to let you see what you can do with it."
Oh really? As she recalled from the brief she had read before she arrived in Kensington Heights, the Joshua Franklin case had been a thorn in the side of the Kensington Heights Police Department for almost seven years. Dani took the file he handed over, lifted the manila cover and examined the first sheet without as much as a change of expression. "I'll want to talk to the detectives who were in charge of the case."
"I was one of them," the Captain informed. "Bill Adamson was the other."
"Is Adamson still with the department?" she inquired casually.
"No," Thompson replied. "He retired and moved out of state last October."
"I want you to understand," Harold Lindsay noted with a deepening frown. "The reports and what they contain are police property and strictly confidential. If it were to get out that we'd turned a case over to a Private Investigator all hell could break loose."
Dani looked at him squarely. "They won't hear it from me." She turned her attention to the other man. "Will you be available to talk with me in my office later this afternoon?"
"What time?"
She handed the Captain one of her business cards. "Around four?"
"I'll be there," Thompson promised, slipping the card into his shirt pocket without looking at it.
"It might be a good idea if one of our detectives accompanied you to the Franklin estate when you examine the crime scene," the Chief interjected part of his plan. "I doubt if the family would let you in otherwise."
Was it their intention to dog her then pull the case out from under her when she turned up evidence they had not? Or was it something more? The only way she could find out was to play along. Dani nodded. "That's an excellent idea and who better than someone who was involved in the initial investigation." Her gaze slid to the other officer. "Don't you agree Captain?"
Jerry Thompson felt the woman's gaze before he saw it. "Yes I do Miss Hayward," he replied after a moment to regain his thoughts. "I'll be more than happy to go with you." Why did he think he would regret that offer?
The brunette stuffed the file into her oversized handbag before going to the door. "Thank you Chief Lindsay." Her gaze barely touched the gaunt officer. "I'll see you in my office at four Captain." She was gone before either man could reply.
"Damn," the Captain mumbled after he heard the outer door close. "I see what you meant Hal. There's something about her that makes you feel like confessing to everything from causing last year's flood to sinking the Titanic."
Harold Lindsay chuckled before he tossed the closed door a thoughtful frown. "You know what I want you to do Jerry. I don't care how you do it but find out everything you can about Dani Hayward."
"I'll do my best Chief."