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“I didn’t know it was stolen. My friend must not have known it was stolen, either.”
“Where do you think your friend got it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is your friend rich?”
He chortled. “Richer than me.”
This was going nowhere.
Maybe if they could identify this guy, they could get a lead on his friend.
Jack stood. “At the moment, you’re my prime suspect.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“It would help if your friend confirmed that.”
“I’d have to ask him if it was okay to tell you his name.”
“Why don’t you call him?” Jack pulled out his cell. “You can use my phone.”
That earned him another gap-toothed grin. “I may be missing a few marbles, but I don’t fall for too many tricks. If I call him, you’ll have his number. I’ll ask him next time I see him.”
Frustrating as the man’s answer was, it was hard to fault his loyalty.
“When will that be?”
“He comes around regular. You have a card? I could borrow a phone and call you after I talk to him.”
“I’d rather talk to him myself.”
“I’ll tell him that.”
Now what?
He could find grounds to take the guy in, but the man wasn’t likely to be any more forthcoming at headquarters.
Jack flicked a glance at the almost-empty ceramic coffee mug on the desk.
Bingo.
There was no law against running prints from an item if the owner gave permission. Namely Dirk.
Identity problem solved—if Pop was in any of the databases.
As for the friend who’d sent him the bracelet? A job for the undercover crew. Cataloguing who showed up to talk to the man could be very helpful.
On to his next question.
“Where were you last Friday around noon?”
“Where I am most days at noon. Eating lunch at my favorite restaurant.” He mentioned a charity that served daily meals to the homeless in the city.
“Can anyone verify that?”
“Sure. The volunteers all know me. I’m a regular.” He picked up his coffee and drained the dregs.
