Walt Murphy – Part Two – 41

"Three suspects? Mr Donati, his son and…?" Tom said, looking as if it pained him to even have to ask.

"Frank Milano. One of her ex boyfriends."

Tom frowned. "Milano as in the mob Milano?"

"Amedeo Milano's son. Ms Engel blackmailed him a while back and the father paid her off. Frank thought that was the end of it until he ran into her the night before she was murdered. And why the hell am I telling you this instead of making you find out for yourself?"

Tom smirked. "Because you're a good citizen?"

Both Ricky and I snorted.

After chuckling at our response, Tom got back down to business. "So—about Mr Milano. How did he just happen to run into her again?"

I filled him in on what Frank had told me and how I managed to find out about him in the first place. Tom looked disgusted that he hadn't come up with that information on his own.

When I was finished he thanked me, somewhat half-heartedly, then blew it by telling me, "You are to back off now. Understand. For your own good. The next time the killer might do more than just try to break into your place. He might succeed."

"If it was him, and not a random burglar," I pointed out.

"Do you really believe it wasn't him?"

"No," I had to admit.   

"So you're going to keep your nose out of it now?"

I shrugged, earning me a glare from Tom. "Look," I said, "the fact I seem to have gotten under the killer's skin might lead to my finding out who it is—if he keeps up with the messages. One thing I know already, he rides a motorcycle. It's black, where it isn't covered with dirt—and that included the license plate. Maybe a Harley but I'm no expert. Not tricked out." I described what I could of the driver, which wasn't much.

"And if he does go after Ricky again?"

"I can handle myself now," Ricky said adamantly.

Tom cocked an eyebrow. "Walt gave you some pointers? Good if he did, but it's one thing to know and another to put them to use when it comes down to the nitty-gritty."

Ricky nodded. "I know, but if it's me or him…"

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that," Tom said. "It's less likely to if Walt…"

"Backs off. I got it," I said.

"Then do it." Tom stood, going to open the office door. Getting the message, Ricky and I started to leave. Tom stopped me momentarily, saying, "If you find out anything else…"

"You'll be the first to know, I promise," I replied with a grin. He knows me too well.