little makeup can’t cover. I can help you with that if you want.”
“Thanks. I’m not the best with that stuff. It’s too much to remember.”
“But why are you going to dinner with her?”
“It’s on the pretense of my talking about how I investigate my cases. But the real reason is, I don’t think the lady’s been entirely forthcoming with us.”
“Well, that seems to be the general theme in this town,” replied Blum.
Chapter 43
YOU CLEANED UP WELL.”
Graham was looking up the stairs at the Cottage as Pine came down them. Graham had on a knee-length dark red skirt that hugged her hips, with a white blouse and a hunter green jacket over that. Her tights and stiletto heels were both black.
Pine had put on the one dress she had brought with her. It was black, of a simple design, and it rode snug on her frame. Around her shoulders was a turquoise wrap that Blum had let her borrow. Her heels were open-toed, lifting her height to a couple inches over six feet. She had done her hair; instead of its being pulled back like she normally wore it, she had let the dark strands fall around her shoulders. Blum had helped her cover up the bruise on her forehead with a liberal layer of foundation.
“Thanks. You look great,” said Pine.
“Do you know what came into my head when I saw you just now? Your mother. The spitting image.”
“That’s very kind. I don’t think I’m nearly in her league. Or that glamorous.”
“You might have missed your calling,” said Graham.
“I think I found it just fine. You ready? I can drive.”
* * *
On the ride to Americus, Graham said, “So, have you given any thought to what you can share with me?”
“Investigative methods, some details of cases without identifying what cases they were attached to. And I can answer general questions you might have.”
“That’s very generous. Okay, first thing, what do you think are the most important traits a detective can have?”
Pine collected her thoughts, though she didn’t really need to in order to answer this basic question. “Patience and tenacity. They go hand in hand. The cases can either solve themselves quickly because the criminals were so stupid, or else they can take years and a lot of legwork and going over and over old ground. I’ve been involved in both kinds.”
“Any nuances you can share?”
“Small details can matter more than the big ones. Criminals always fail on the little details. Blood spatters, trace fibers, fingerprints, ballistics matching. DNA. They think they can get rid of all blood traces by using bleach. But if you really want a decent shot at destroying DNA you should use an oxygen-based detergent that produces oxygen-rich bubbles. That blocks the oxygen in the DNA from uplifting to the luminol that we would use to reveal the blood stains. Or you can go the other route, by collecting DNA samples from other people who might have ties to the victim and flood the murder scene with them. That could overwhelm an investigation and give a defense lawyer wiggle room.”
“That’s fascinating.”
“It just comes with the territory.”
“And are you always armed?”
Pine touched her clutch purse. “Beretta Nano eight-shot. Just in case. It’s a girl’s best friend in my line of work.”
“I may use that line in my novel, if that’s okay.”
“Go for it.”
Twenty minutes and many more questions and answers later, they arrived at the restaurant, an intimate Italian bistro with an upscale wine list and waiters with black bow ties and starched shirts. They were seated at a table by a window.
“Just so you know, my pocketbook does not cover this sort of a place,” said Pine after she looked at the prices.
“This is on me,” said Graham. “I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear.”
“You don’t have to do that. I was just going to order water and an appetizer.”
“No, please, you’ve already given me some great material. I really appreciate it.”
They ordered and were sipping glasses of red wine from Sonoma Valley when a familiar voice called out.
“Ladies, if I knew you were here, you could have joined me.”
They both looked up to see Jack Lineberry gazing down at them. He was smartly dressed in pearl-gray slacks, a striped shirt, and a dark blue blazer with tasseled loafers. A pocket square of color fronted the jacket. His skin was lightly tanned, and his hair was neatly trimmed. Perhaps for the first time, Pine realized what a very attractive man he was.