Hooked

Somehow I’m not disposed to feel chummy about this.”
    “You’re getting chummy with an NYPD investigator, though.” He lifted his gaze from the menu and focused on her.
    Tawny’s heart rate soared. Take a deep breath . “Is that what this is about?”
    “Partly.”
    “And the other part?”
    “I’m worried about sending you into Cooper’s establishment again.”
    Tawny sipped her tea. “Why should it matter to the FBI? This isn’t your case.”
    “It wasn’t until Mario Russo went there, and he is my concern.”
    Tawny thought Winokaur had more to say, but he didn’t. “I can find out about Sarah Marshall, Agent Winokaur. I almost did the other night, and except for one woman, I would have. I found out about the missing woman, Cindi Dyson. I don’t understand. This is what Detective Walsh asked me to do. Why are you concerned?”
    “First, there’s another body connected to Cooper’s establishment. What do they call it? I can never remember.”
    “Upper Eighties.”
    “That’s right. It’s located in the upper eighties, isn’t it?
    She didn’t think that was a question either.
    “The other body was the boyfriend of Cindi Dyson,” Winokaur said. “I’m sure Detective Walsh told you about it. He’s concerned. So am I.”
    “You still have no proof anyone there killed him.”
    “True, but he’s another connection to the place. Then, there’s Russo. Why did he go there, Ms. Dell, and on the same night you were there? I find that fascinating.”
    “Are you implying his visit was connected to me?”
    “Was it?”
    “No.”
    “Russo doesn’t need to go to Cooper’s place for a woman. From what I understand you weren’t the only visitor to his Park Slope hideaway. Then, of course, there’s the fact his accountant does your taxes.”
    That admission stopped her. How did Winokaur know that? Was he guessing? Martell’s name wasn’t on her tax return. Had the feds found the other offshore accounts before he closed them down? No, Martell said they were safe, and now they weren’t hers anymore. So the FBI figured that Mario went to Cooper’s for another reason. Anything she said was a lose/lose answer. She didn’t respond.
    “Nothing to say?”
    No point denying Martell did her taxes. No law against that, and other than the one offshore account, the tax returns must have passed scrutiny or they’d have been all over her for tax fraud. “Even if Mario’s accountant did my taxes, and I’m not saying he did, is that against the law? Something I missed in the IRS manual?”
    “The IRS didn’t find your money, Ms. Dell. They don’t have the resources to investigate offshore accounts. You came up in a different investigation. Maybe if we searched more thoroughly, we’d find others.”
    What other investigation, she wondered. Why would her name come up? “Is this what’s called tightening the vise? Aren’t I doing everything Detective Walsh asked?”
    He leaned across the table. The warmth in his eyes vanished, and Tawny saw the cop, hard and resolute. “Yes, and more, but I’d hate to see you get out of one mess and into another. For more reasons than you know.”
    She knew. Winokaur wore his feelings on his face like a child caught in a lie, no matter how he tried to hide them. “I know you and Walsh have a connection. He’s more to you than an NYPD cop, isn’t he?” He froze, and Tawny knew she guessed right.
    “What makes you ask?”
    “The reverence in his tone when he spoke of you. The concern you have right now I’m about to screw up his life.”
    The smile was warm again, a sign he was surprised but relieved. “I hadn’t planned on going there today, but it’s on the table now, isn’t it?”
    Harry Winokaur was lying through his teeth. Maybe he hadn’t consciously planned on bringing up Lincoln Walsh, but Walsh was what he really wanted to talk about. The waiter came and Harry ordered stir-fried eggplant, Tawny fried tofu and vegetables. They agreed to share.
    “How much do you know about Detective Walsh?” he asked her. “Has he ever talked about himself?”
    She shook her head. “No. I found that strange. A man who didn’t think he was the most interesting subject in the universe.”
    Winokaur smiled. “No, he definitely doesn’t think that. I’m going to fill you in, so you know the complexities you’re dealing with.”
    “And you think I should know this why?”
    “I’m a great judge of character, Ms. Dell. And I know my son.”
    Tawny