Simon Says Die

tables.
    Madison shook her head and sat down in the chair farthest away from him.
    Todd closed the door and introduced himself. “I’m sorry you wasted a trip out here. I didn’t have your number, Mrs. McKinley, so I couldn’t call to cancel.”
    â€œCancel? Is Mr. MacGuffin running late?” Pierce hadn’t bothered to sit like Hamilton and Madison. Instead, he’d moved to stand directly behind Madison’s chair.
    â€œMr. MacGuffin called me late last night,” Todd said. “He told me he’d made an appointment to speak to Mrs. McKinley this morning, but that he couldn’t make it. A family emergency came up and he won’t be back for about a week. He said to offer his apologies.”
    â€œDid he say why he didn’t just call me back to tell me?” Madison asked.
    â€œIt was after midnight when he called me. He didn’t want to wake you. He had no such worries about waking me.” He covered his mouth and let out a huge yawn. “I was too tired last night to think straight and get your number to save you the trip this morning. Sorry.”
    Lieutenant Hamilton rested his forearms on the table. “Did Mr. MacGuffin explain to you why he was meeting Mrs. McKinley in the first place?”
    Todd rubbed his jaw, which was covered with whiskers. He obviously hadn’t shaved yet this morning. His T-shirt and jeans were wrinkled, as if he’d grabbed them off the floor in his hurry to make it to the restaurant to meet them.
    â€œHe did mention something about some man she was looking for, and that he’d thought he’d seen him, but that he wasn’t sure. I think he might have changed his mind after calling you.”
    Hamilton let out a loud breath and pushed himself up from his chair. He gave Madison a long look before crossing over by her chair to face Pierce. “Next time, I’d appreciate it if you could wait until you’re sure you have something before calling. I’m happy to help, I really am, but I’m slammed right now. Without some hard evidence about who the shooter is, I’m pretty much done with this investigation.”
    Madison started to rise, but Pierce’s hands were suddenly on the tops of her shoulders, keeping her in her seat.
    â€œSorry to have wasted your time, Lieutenant. Thanks for coming out,” Pierce said.
    Hamilton nodded and headed out the door.
    Pierce released Madison’s shoulders.
    â€œWhat was that all about?” She shoved up out of her chair.
    â€œJust keeping you safe.”
    â€œSafe? From Lieutenant Hamilton?”
    He gave her a droll look. “From yourself.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him, but he’d already turned to speak to Todd.
    â€œAre you certain it was your boss on the phone?” Pierce asked.
    Todd looked surprised at the question. “I’ve been working for him for five years. Yeah, I’m sure.”
    â€œDid he sound like he was under duress?”
    â€œIf you’re asking if he sounded upset, yeah, sure. His granddaughter is in the hospital. That’s why he had to leave. So, yeah, he was upset, with good reason.” He lifted his ring of keys, making them jingle. “Sorry you wasted your time, but if there’s nothing else . . .”
    Pierce pulled a business card out of the pocket of his suit and handed it to the other man. “When you hear from Mr. MacGuffin again, have him give me a call.”
    Madison and Pierce walked down the sidewalk back toward the café. There were so many tourists out already that Pierce and Madison had to step off the sidewalk onto East River Street to get past them. The brick pavers were bumpy and uneven, which was aggravating Madison’s still healing sprained ankle.
    â€œOuch.” She grabbed for Pierce’s arm as her ankle twisted beneath her on a particularly uneven paver.
    â€œI’ve got you.” He grabbed her around the waist.
    â€œHey lady, watch it.” A young man on a bicycle swerved to avoid Madison. He threw back a nasty insult and punctuated it with a hand gesture. He was still laughing when he turned down a side street.
    â€œThat kid’s mom must be so proud,” Madison said.
    â€œI wouldn’t call him a kid. And his mother probably gave up trying to tell him what to do several years ago, about the time she kicked him out of the house.” He steadied her on her feet. “Are you okay?”
    She gingerly tested