Chief
Chief
How’d it go?
Lyle
Lyle
Joseph is innocent.
Chief
Chief
Sure?
Lyle
Lyle
Yes.
Chief
Chief
Alibi?
Lyle
Lyle
He’s been in the office all day meeting with architects.
Chief
Chief
So what? Rich guys hire assassins to murder their wives.
Lyle
Lyle
Maybe, but I didn’t feel it.
Chief
Chief
Really? What did your gut tell you?
Lyle
Lyle
The moment I told him he was truly surprised. Not faking.
Chief
Chief
You’re certain?
Lyle
Lyle
He was heartbroken. Genuine pain. He loved her.
Chief
Chief
But they are in the middle of an ugly divorce.
Lyle
Lyle
Even still, they were also lifelong partners. That’s what I felt.
Chief
Chief
With your radar?
Lyle
Lyle
It’s not radar.
Chief
Chief
It’s still feeling, but not fact.
Lyle
Lyle
If you don’t trust it, then why do you use it?
Lyle
Lyle
You know that I see shades of colors most people don’t.
Lyle
Lyle
And like you said, it’s never failed me before.
Chief
Chief
So you’re sure Joseph is not a suspect?
Lyle
Lyle
I think we’re barking up the wrong tree.
Chief
Chief
Appreciate your insight.
Lyle
Lyle
Take it or leave it.
Chief
Chief
Your ability has saved our department precious time and resources.
Lyle
Lyle
Yes, but realize it takes a chunk out of me every time.
Chief
Chief
Permission to pick up a bottle on the way home.
Lyle
Lyle
That an order?
Chief
Chief
It’s what I did when I lost my dad.
Lyle
Lyle
This was my day off.
Chief
Chief
I haven’t forgotten. Was there anything else you picked up?
Lyle
Lyle
I asked him if anybody had reason to kill her.
Lyle
Lyle
He had no idea but said there was an altercation.
Lyle
Lyle
A neighbor told him Leslie fought with a construction worker.
Chief
Chief
Fought?
Lyle
Lyle
They got into a shouting match.
Chief
Chief
Over what?
Lyle
Lyle
Apparently she’d been renovating her home.
Chief
Chief
And?
Lyle
Lyle
None of the work was good enough.
Chief
Chief
So Leslie’s a perfectionist.
Lyle
Lyle
Was.
Chief
Chief
Interview the neighbor.
Lyle
Lyle
It’s my day off.
Chief
Chief
You clocked in.
Lyle
Lyle
You just ordered me to go home and drink.
Chief
Chief
Check out this neighbor first, and then you can chill.
Lyle
Lyle
Any clues at the crime scene?
Chief
Chief
Nothing on surveillance video and no witnesses.
Chief
Chief
We’re lifting prints now. The deputies noticed gang graffiti.
Lyle
Lyle
Where?
Chief
Chief
On the wall near the car. MP-13 symbols. Not common in this neighborhood.
Lyle
Lyle
That’s the gang that’s fond of knives.
Chief
Chief
And machetes. The press has leaked the victim’s identity.
Lyle
Lyle
Of course they have. That’s Daniel for you.
Chief
Chief
I’ll email you the address now. Let me know what you learn.
Lyle drives up the canyon into Rancho Palos Verdes. He passes lavish homes, stables and horse trails.
At hillcrest, the road reveals a stunning panoramic ocean view.
Lyle parks in front of Leslie’s home.
It’s empty. There isn’t a single construction worker in sight.
A stoic peacock stands on the lawn, tail feathers fanned.
Flimsy wooden frames propose the shape of new construction.
Mini flags are stapled to the 2X4s and blow in the ocean breeze.
Lyle crosses the street and knocks on the neighbor’s door.
A woman’s voice sounds over the intercom.
Woman
Woman
Can I help you?
Lyle displays his badge for the intercom camera.
Lyle
Lyle
Detective Lyle Keene, Sheriff’s Department. I have a few questions regarding your neighbor.
The door unlocks and the woman answers. She’s been crying.
Woman
Woman
I’m Amanda. Please—
Amanda
Amanda
The murder’s all over TV. But are they sure it’s Leslie?
Lyle
Lyle
Yes.
Amanda
Amanda
So horrible. It doesn’t make sense.
Lyle
Lyle
I’m sorry to disturb you, but we need to follow up on a few details.
Amanda
Amanda
Come in.
Amanda leads him to the living room.
Daniel’s video footage of the bloody windshield is playing on the television.
Amanda
Amanda
I can’t watch that.
Amanda turns the television off.
Lyle
Lyle
How long have you known Leslie?
Amanda
Amanda
Since we were in high school.
Amanda
Amanda
But we didn’t become close friends until she and Joseph moved across the street.
Lyle
Lyle
When was that?
Amanda
Amanda
About seven years ago.
Lyle
Lyle
I spoke with Joseph. He said you mentioned Leslie had an altercation.
Amanda
Amanda
Yes, with those construction workers. Do you think THEY killed her?
Lyle
Lyle
Tell me what happened.
Amanda
Amanda
That renovation is making her crazy.
Amanda
Amanda
She leads the Rancho Palos Verdes Homes Conservation Board.
Amanda
Amanda
I guess that’s why every detail in her own renovation is a matter of pride.
Lyle
Lyle
What was the conflict about?
Amanda
Amanda
I was out gardening when I heard them yelling.
Lyle
Lyle
Who?
Amanda
Amanda
Leslie and the man. They were scary looking guys.
Amanda
Amanda
They had tattoos everywhere.
Lyle
Lyle
What did you see?
Amanda
Amanda
Leslie has always had a temper, ever since I’ve known her.
Amanda
Amanda
She and this man were swearing at each other.
Amanda
Amanda
Then she hurled her hot coffee at him!
Lyle
Lyle
Who?
Amanda
Amanda
The one talking back, the guy with tattoos on his face.
Lyle
Lyle
Can you identify him?
Amanda
Amanda
I think so. The others were laughing and he didn’t like it.
Lyle
Lyle
Then what happened?
Amanda
Amanda
Leslie drove off. They were looking at me so I went inside.
Lyle
Lyle
Have you seen these men since?
Amanda
Amanda
No.
Lyle
Lyle
Did you speak with Leslie about this?
Amanda
Amanda
I didn’t get a chance.
Amanda
Amanda
But I ran into Joseph at Whole Foods and mentioned it.
Amanda
Amanda
He was very concerned.
Lyle
Lyle
How was Leslie taking the divorce?
Amanda
Amanda
It was her idea. She and Joseph had grown apart.
Lyle
Lyle
She admitted that to you?
Amanda
Amanda
She’s my closest friend.
Amanda
Amanda
The separation gave her the freedom to do what she wanted.
Lyle
Lyle
Like what?
Amanda
Amanda
Renovate the house.
Lyle
Lyle
Do you know the general contractor?
Amanda
Amanda
No. You’d have to ask Joseph.
Lyle
Lyle
Anything else?
Amanda shrugs. Lyle stands.
Lyle
Lyle
Thank you for your time.
He hands her his card.
Lyle
Lyle
If there is anything that comes to mind feel free to call at any time, day or night.
Amanda
Amanda
I’m so sad.
Lyle
Lyle
Why is there a peacock on the lawn?
Amanda
Amanda
It’s a thing in Palos Verdes. The birds roam free.
Amanda
Amanda
Leslie would come by every day to feed them. I guess I’ll do that now.
Lyle
Lyle
Thank you for your time.
Amanda
Amanda
Promise me you’ll catch whoever did this.
Lyle
Lyle
That’s my job.
Before returning to his car, Lyle examines the construction site.
He snaps a photo of the contractor’s lawn sign, Rex Sullivan, and texts it to Janice.
Lyle
Lyle
So I have another favor to ask you…
Lyle
Lyle
Can you please track recent cell phone activity from the number in this photo?
Janice
Janice
You’re lucky it’s a slow day.
Janice
Janice
I’ve got another search open so it’ll only take a sec.
Janice
Janice
But maybe I do take you up on that chocolate.
Lyle
Lyle
What’s your preference?
Janice
Janice
Peanut chews, but they’re not expensive. I want the full treatment.
Lyle
Lyle
Godiva?
Janice
Janice
Yes, something imported like that.
Janice
Janice
Or maybe those mini chocolate bonbons full of liqueur.
Lyle
Lyle
Now you’re talking.
Janice
Janice
Okay, I just pinged a recent call from that number.
Janice
Janice
It’s at Blarney Stone on Crenshaw. It’s a bar.
Lyle
Lyle
Thanks for your help.
Janice
Janice
Go get ‘em.
Chief
Chief