The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag Page A

night she went missing.”
    â€œI don’t know anything about that,” he said. He was pissed now. I could tell by the way he tilted his head, set his jaw, avoided looking at me.
    â€œWell, some things never change,” I remarked.
    â€œIf you could excuse us for a moment, Elena, I need to have a word with my friend.”
    He put a hand on Barbaro’s shoulder, ready to draw him aside.
    â€œGetting your stories straight?” I asked sweetly. Stupid of me, but there it was. Sometimes I can’t help myself.
    Barbaro seemed bemused but content to watch the fireworks, his gaze bouncing back and forth between us as if he were watching a tennis match.
    Walker took a moment to compose himself, breathing in, breathing out. He was very aware of the two couples that had just come upstairs from the restaurant and stood talking not ten feet away.
    â€œI don’t need a story,” he said quietly, stepping a little closer. I didn’t retreat. I wouldn’t. I looked him in the eyes, knowing that would make him uncomfortable.
    â€œYou don’t think so? An unconscious alibi witness?” I shook my head. “Not good, Bennett. Although at least he can’t dispute your version of events.”
    â€œElena, I understand that you’re upset,” he said. “But I didn’t have anything to do with that girl’s death, and I resent you implying otherwise, especially considering other people can hear you.”
    I actually laughed. “Oh, my, what would the neighbors think? Can’t have me tarnishing your sterling reputation. You are just un-fucking-believable,” I said, lowering my voice.
    â€œTwenty years and you still hate me.”
    â€œThere is no statute of limitations for what you did, Bennett. Not with me.”
    â€œDespite what you choose to believe, I was exonerated.”
    â€œWhat an interesting reinvention of history.”
    â€œI’m not having this conversation with you, Elena. Not here, not now.”
    â€œWell, when you find you have room on your dance card, do pencil me in. There’s just nothing like reliving old times,” I said sarcastically.
    I slid my gaze away from him to Barbaro. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me. It’s been a very bad, very long day. I’ll see myself out.”
    I walked away and out the door, past the valet stand. I had parked in the lower lot. A Glock 9mm lived in a secret panel in the driver’s door of my car. I couldn’t take the risk of the gun falling into the hands of a minimum-wage sixteen-year-old bored with waiting on rich people.
    â€œElena!”
    Barbaro. He jogged to catch up with me. But when he did, he didn’t seem to know what to say. He had the expression of someone who had come in on the middle of a conversation.
    â€œI’m afraid I don’t understand what just happened.”
    â€œI’m sure your good friend will fill you in,” I said. “A word to the wise, though: Don’t invest too heavily in giving him an alibi. If I find out he had something to do with Irina’s murder, I’ll make very certain that he pays for it, and I won’t care who gets in my way.”
    â€œThat’s crazy! Bennett is a good friend.”
    â€œHow long have you known him?”
    â€œSeveral years. He would never have anything to do with harming a woman.”
    â€œReally? Why not? Because he’s handsome? Because he’s charming? Because he’s rich?” I asked. “For such a worldly man, Mr. Barbaro, you are terribly naive. When you go back in there and sit down to have a drink with your pal, ask him if the name Maria Nevin means anything to him.
    â€œAnd whatever he tells you, know this: Bennett Walker is a liar and a rapist. I know, because I was his alibi once too.”
    He didn’t know what to say to that and wisely chose to say nothing at all.
    I turned to open my car door. Barbaro put a hand on my