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Rita Royale 2 (The Beach House). Terry JD Anderson
Читать онлайн.Название Rita Royale 2 (The Beach House)
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781456612825
Автор произведения Terry JD Anderson
Жанр Языкознание
Издательство Ingram
Both women stared at each other. Rita asked, “Are you Rafa Zamani?”
The woman looked frightened and suspicious at the same time. “Yes.”
“I’m Major Royale. The new Liaison Officer. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions.”
“About my husband?”
“Yes. I know some Army people talked to you already, but I need to ask a few more questions.”
She looked closely at the blonde military woman with hair as short as she’d ever seen on a woman. “No one has asked me any questions.”
Rita stared into Rafa’s dark eyes. “No Army men were here?”
She shook her head, looked up and down the street. “Come inside and talk.”
Rita entered the house, looked around the tidy living room. It looked modest, but nice. Very clean and looked after.
“What do want to ask me?”
“Was your husband involved in drugs of any kind?”
“He was involved in many things. I don’t know what, he never said.”
“Did you ever hear him talking to anyone about drugs, or anything else illegal?”
“Are you the woman who killed him? I heard it was a woman.”
“Yes.”
“My husband had little use for women.”
Rita glanced at her long heavy black hair. “I see. And you never knew what he was up to?”
“Once I heard him talking to someone. Someone named Mamoud. I remember because he doesn’t live here or attend the mosque.”
“Mamoud? Not Mohammed Mamoud?”
“I only know the last name.”
“What did they talk about?”
“I do not know. I heard my husband call him that.”
Rita nodded. “And you, Rafa, how are you holding up?”
She seemed surprised by the question. “I didn’t love my husband.”
“And what will you do now?”
“I’m leaving soon.”
“When?”
“As soon as I can sell the house.”
Rita thought for a moment. “Thank you, Rafa. I guess that’s all I need to know for now. Can I see you again if I have more questions?”
She nodded. “Yes, but I don’t know anything else.”
“Thanks for your time.” Rita walked out of the house and back to the truck. Told Alex to drive to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
That evening after supper, while Alex was walking the beach looking at Stella’s flower book, Rita made a call to General Arnold.
“Hi Rita. I was just wondering about you.”
“I heard a name today, General. Mamoud.”
He paused for a moment. “Mamoud? Are you certain?”
“Yes, sir. I assume he’s involved in the drug thing here. There’s something else bothering me too. Zamani’s wife had no one interview her. I thought that was odd.”
“You think someone in the Army is involved?”
“I don’t know, General, but I want to work on this apart from the Army. I need people I know and trust helping me.”
“Rita. You’re there to relax and eat fancy dinners and get fat, not go looking for Mamoud.”
“We’ve wanted this guy for a long time, sir.”
“I know. You sure it was Mamoud?”
“Yes, sir. It has to be him.”
“You get Dixie and Cathy on this with you. If things start to shake out, I’ll send in a squad of Badger Troop to assist you. Don’t you do this alone, Rita.”
“No, sir. I’ll have Dixie and Cathy assist me.”
“Keep me up to date. I won’t mention this conversation to anyone.”
“Thank you, General.”
Chapter Six (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)
After breakfast, Rita watched Alex drive off to work, followed closely by an Army MP. She hopped on her motorcycle, rode out of her driveway, after leaving the other MP at the beach house to keep an eye on things.
She parked at the rear of the office, walked inside the empty building, slipped off her riding pants and boots and donned her black skirt and low heeled shoes, sat at her desk and looked at the ocean.
Her mind was on Mamoud. A very dangerous terrorist who had so far eluded capture. Thought to be responsible for several murders, including one Badger Troop officer. It would be just like Mamoud to go after the military. To go after her. Maybe the drugs were his and Zamani was just his dealer? He could have ordered Zamani to attack her. Rita heard someone unlock the front entrance and walk inside the building. Soon saw Dixie’s smiling face as she peeked in her open office door.
“You’re here early, Major.”
She smiled. “I had to make sure Alex was up and ready for his new job as a painter.”
“He’s a handsome kid.”
Rita grinned. “A little young for you, Lieutenant.”
“I don’t know. He seems very mature.”
“Forget it, Lieutenant.”
She smiled. “My boyfriend would probably have something to say about that anyway.”
“So today is lunch with the mayor?”
“Dorothy Malone. I still haven’t decided whether I like that woman or not.”
Rita nodded. “I only met her one time.”
The front door opened and Cathy walked to Rita’s office, stood beside Dixie. “Good morning, Major.”
“Hi Cathy. Now you’re both here I need to tell you something. Mamoud is around somewhere.”
Cathy just looked at her. “Mamoud?” She shook her head. “I hope not.”
“So do I, but I think he is, and we have to find him fast. Don’t talk to anyone in the Army. We’ll do this ourselves.”
“You think someone in the Army is helping him?” asked Cathy.
“Just a hunch. Better we keep this just between us three.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Any leads?”
Rita shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Is Lieutenant Sweet handling the investigation?” asked Dixie.
“I think so.”
She nodded. “He seems okay. I think he’s a good MP.”
Rita looked at her. “Perhaps, but say nothing to him or Sergeant Lewis, should they be in touch.”
“No, Ma’am. Not a word.”
Rita waited for Dorothy Malone in a small Italian style restaurant. She watched the older heavy set woman walk to the table dressed in a skirt and blouse, graying hair tied in a bun. She looked harried.
“Hello Dorothy.”
“Hi Rita. Sorry to be late.” She pulled out a chair and plopped herself down. “Have you ordered?”
“Not