Witches of Three: Charlene by Temple Hogan Page A

well?”
    “You’d have to ask him that, sir.”
    O’Shea studied her for a moment. “Can you tell me anything about the fight between Latimer and Captain Hilliard?”
    “No, sir,” she answered, fixing her gaze on a spot on the wall behind O’Shea’s head.
    “I expect you know Hilliard was suspended until things get sorted out?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Where is he now?”
    Charlie met his gaze. “At this moment, I don’t know,” she said.
    “Don’t mince words with me, Officer Spencer. We know he didn’t return to his home after he left here yesterday. Can you enlighten me on his whereabouts?”
    “How do you know he didn’t return home?” she stalled.
    “We tried to reach him there.” O’Shea frowned. “If you know anything, you might better help the captain by telling us what you know.”
    Charlie considered his words and knew he was right.
    “He picked me up at the hospital and took me back to my place where he made dinner and—” She hesitated.
    O’Shea finished her sentence for her. “And spent the night?”
    “Yes, sir,” she answered, lowering her gaze to her lap then she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “He didn’t want me to be alone after the attempt on my life.”
    “Oh, yes, tell me about that.”
    Charlie did as he requested, emphasizing that if Nick hadn’t arrived when he did, she’d be dead. When she finished her narration, O’Shea nodded.
    “Fortuitous for you,” he commented. “Did you get any idea of who your attacker was?”
    “No, sir, it happened too quickly.”
    “Did you or Captain Hilliard think it might be Ralph Latimer?”
    “No, sir. I never suspected him.”
    “Did Captain Hilliard?”
    “I don’t think so, besides, he stayed with me until help came and all the time I was in the hospital. He hadn’t left by the time Latimer was murdered. He couldn’t have done it.” She stared at him triumphantly. “Nick can’t be a suspect.”
    “His alibi isn’t strong enough, Officer Spencer. He could have left the hospital while you were being treated.” He nodded toward her jaw and turned to some papers on his desk. “Until we sort all this out, you’ll be put on medical leave. It’s way too soon for you to try to come back anyway.”
    “I’m all right. The bullet just grazed my jaw. There are only a few stitches.”
    “Has your doctor released you?”
    She remained silent.
    “I thought not,” he continued. “Take some time off, Officer, and sort things out for yourself. That’ll be all.”
    Charlie opened her mouth to protest, but it was clear the captain had already dismissed her. Slowly, she got to her feet and left the office. Ray Somnes was waiting for her.
    “You all right?” he asked, eyeing her bandage.
    “Yeah,” she nodded. “Ray, do you know what happened with Ralph? Have you got any idea who could have killed him?”
    Ray was already shaking his head. “Not a clue.”
    Charlie tried again. “Ralph told Geronimo that he had a sweet deal here and he wasn’t going to let Nick mess it up by transferring him. Do you know what he meant?”
    Again Ray shook his head.
    “You know, Ralph,” he said. “He always acted like he was a man involved in something big that he couldn’t reveal. He liked to pump up his ego.”
    “I think there must have been more to it than that,” Charlie said. “Nick said drugs are missing from the police storage. I think I’ll talk to Geronimo again. He said he had a hunch about something and wanted to check it out. Maybe he can tell me something that could help us.” She touched Ray’s arm. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”
    Ray just looked at her and said nothing. Maybe he was so distant because the other guys were watching. She resolved to talk to him again later when they were alone.
    Back in her car, she turned toward the hospital. Although it was early yet for visitors, she thought she might be able to have a word with Geronimo. She parked and got out her car, bending over