Minutes later she returned. She stood with her arms folded across her chest and announced, "I'm too busy to talk with you. I know nothing about any murder. Please don't bother me again."
"Better here, Mrs. Martin, than down at police headquarters." That line was always worth a try.
"As a matter of fact, it isn't better here. I can't talk to you anywhere. Please leave."
Back in his vehicle, he flipped open his notebook. He had met a tense Norma Martin and possibly had DNA from her cigarette. She mentioned her cook, Elena Duarte. He brought up the address search on his patrol-car computer, nothing for Elena Duarte. Next, he tried Norma Martin. She was in there and on Banyon Street. Why had she tried to deceive him about living with her cook?
If there was some Tampa Cuban-Americans behind the restaurant, and if they were connected somehow to the murder, Norma Martin would now alert them. They just might be the link to the bigger plot that Moran suspected and was hoping for.
Towson had enemies in the Cuban community. He had publicly opposed amnesty for refugees after the Mariel boatlift in the eighties. Also, he opposed legalizing casinos in Florida, and South Florida is sympathetic to the old-time families involved in Havana's casinos before Castro kicked them out.
Goddard knew that a small town cop couldn't run around the state checking out money trails and motives. He felt uncomfortable in this unfamiliar situation. And Moran didn't want to bring in state investigators. Didn't want them butting in, taking over and taking credit.
So, far, Norma Martin was the only link to a possible Tampa connection. An important link, if DNA from her cigarette puts her in Towson's apartment.
Ray Reid was still the best suspect so far, although he seemed an unlikely professional hit man. Goddard needed more background. What did he really do in Philadelphia? It wouldn't hurt to see if his sister could fill in some blanks. Interesting woman. Who was he kidding? He'd just flat out like to take another look at her.
He phoned attorney Jerry Kagan and after brief pleasantries asked for the number of Reid's sister. Kagan was surprised with the request. And said he must check with her first to see if she wanted it given out. Goddard told him, "Then just have her meet me at the Coffee Spot on the barrier island...thirty minutes, no later." Kagan wouldn't promise she'd show up.
Kagan quickly relayed the request to Sandy. Her response was, "Wants to see me?" She was in jeans, no time to change. She looked in the rearview mirror-could be better, but she didn't need much daytime makeup anyway.