Page 19 of Delusional

I laughed at that and had to agree. I enjoyed hearing compliments about my kids and my partner. But we were on a mission right now. Our potential suspect, Jimmy Pinter, was only a few miles away at LaGuardia Community College.

We found the community college campus and pulled up next to a security guard standing near the administration building. He pointed us to a structure where the professional and community classes were held.

As we made our way down a walkway, a main door opened and people started pouring out, reaching for their phones or a pack of cigarettes. Must’ve been a break in classes.

I glanced down at the photograph I’d printed out from Jimmy Pinter’s driver’s license. Almost immediately I noticed him coming down the three steps to the concrete pad underneath the portal. He was a little on the chunky side and hurried toward the vending machines in an alcove near the walkway. That’s where we intercepted him.

I showed him my ID as I called out, “Mr. Pinter?”

He looked up at my ID, then assessed me and Maggie. He had a slightly shaky voice. “Can I help you?”

“We were hoping to ask you a few questions concerning Abby Boyd.”

He swallowed hard and waited a few seconds before he was able to respond. “I’ll help any way I can.”

From behind me I heard someone shout, “No, no, no way. Don’t answer any of their questions.”

I turned and saw a tall man wearing a light jacket and cheap tie. The hair he had left on his head was combed hard to the right, furiously trying to cover a bald spot. He kept marching until he was standing next to us. “You shouldn’t talk to the cops without representation.”

I looked at Pinter, who appeared confused.

Maggie said, “Excuse me, sir, are you this man’s attorney?”

“Why?”

“Because if you’re not, this feels a lot like interfering with an investigation.”

“That’s rich, coming from a couple of New York’s finest.” Then he had to add, “Jackasses.” He shook his head in disgust.

That’s when I saw the change in Maggie. It was subtle at first but quickly morphed into something else. It was strong enough for me to move away from Pinter. Technically, he was still a suspect, and I would never move away from a suspect. It was a poor tactical choice. But in this case, I was trying to avoid another problem.

Maggie’s expression changed again as soon as she realized I’d maneuvered myself between her and the loudmouthed man.

I addressed the man directly. “Look, sir, this is important. If you’re not his attorney, you need to step away from us.”

The man looked at me as if I’d slapped him. “I’m calling campus security.”

I said in a calm voice, “That’s probably a pretty good idea.” Then I turned my back on him completely. I was done with him. It made Maggie turn and face Pinter as well.

I asked Pinter, “Do you know him?”

Pinter shook his head vigorously.

I led the three of us to a bench under a tree where Maggie and I could speak to Pinter out of earshot of the loudmouth.

Pinter said, “How can I help you? Abby meant everything to me.”

“But you guys broke up.”

“That doesn’t mean it was over. We’d been talking recently.” Then his expression turned horrified. “Wait a minute. You don’t think I had something to do with that bombing, do you?”

“I’m afraid we have to look at everything.”

“I wasn’t even in town! I was in Baltimore. I only got the train back last night.” Then he spent several minutes showing us the electronic ticket on his phone, photos he took in Baltimore, and the number of his boss, who would confirm that Pinter hadn’t been in town. Then he started to cry. Or, more accurately, to sob.

I did my best to comfort him, although I’ll admit that’s not my strong suit. I let Maggie take the lead. When I looked up from the sobbing man, I spotted a Black woman in a security guard uniform walking toward us. I left Maggie with Pinter and hopped off the bench to intercept the security guard before she reached us.

“My name is Jeannie Cartes. Dr. Lemm insisted that I talk to you,” the security guard said. She had an enchanting smile, which immediately told me this meeting was not going to be an issue.