Once they’d both lit up, Calhoun told Cantor that he’d been retained to discover Hodges’ killer.
“I don’t think I want to talk about that bastard,” Cantor said.
“Can I ask why?” Calhoun said.
“Why should I?” Cantor asked.
“Obviously, to bring his murderer to justice,” Calhoun said.
“I think justice has already been served,” Cantor said. “Whoever rid us of that pest should be given a medal.”
“I’ve been told you had a low opinion of the man,” Calhoun said.
“That’s an understatement,” Cantor said. “He was despicable.”
“Could you elaborate?” Calhoun asked.
“He didn’t care about other people,” Cantor said.
“Do you mean people in general, or other doctors?” Calhoun asked.
“Mostly doctors, I guess,” Cantor said. “He just didn’t care. He had one priority and that was this hospital. But his concept of the institution didn’t extend to the physicians who staff it. He took over radiology and pathology and put a bunch of us out to pasture. All of us wanted to throttle him.”
“Could you give me names?” Calhoun asked.
“Sure, it’s no secret,” Cantor said. He then counted off on his fingers five doctors, including himself.
“And you are the only one of this group who’s still around.”
“I’m the only one still in radiology,” Cantor said. “Thank God for my having the foresight to set up this imaging center. Paul Darnell’s still here too. He’s in pathology.”
“Do you know who killed Hodges?” Calhoun said.
Cantor started to speak, but then stopped himself. “You know something,” he said, “I just realized that I’ve been spouting off despite having prefaced this conversation by saying I didn’t want to talk about Hodges.”
“Same thing occurred to me,” Calhoun said. “Guess you changed your mind. So how about it; do you know who killed Hodges?”
“If I knew I wouldn’t tell you,” Cantor said.
Calhoun suddenly drew out his pocket watch which was attached by a short chain to one of his belt loops. “My word,” he said. He stood up. “I’m sorry, but I have to break off this chat. I didn’t realize the time. I’m afraid I have another appointment.”
Stubbing out his cigar on an ashtray in front of the surprised Cantor, Calhoun rushed from the room. He went immediately to his truck, then drove down to the library. He caught up to Angela as she was strolling along the sidewalk leading to the entrance.
“I’m sorry to be late,” Calhoun said after he reached across and opened the passenger door for her. “I was having so much fun talking with Dr. Cantor I didn’t realize the time.”
“I was a few minutes late myself,” Angela said. She climbed into the cab. It smelled of stale cigar smoke.
“I’m curious about Dr. Cantor,” she said. “Did he say anything enlightening?”
“He’s not the one who killed Hodges,” Calhoun said. “But he interested me. Same with Beaton. There’s something going on here, I can feel it.”
Calhoun cracked the driver’s side window. “Mind if I smoke?”
“I assumed that was the reason we were taking your truck,” Angela said.
“Just thought I’d ask,” Calhoun said.
“Are you sure this visit to the state police is going to go all right?” Angela asked. “The more I’ve thought about it, the more nervous it makes me. After all, I’ll be misrepresenting myself to a degree. I mean, I work at the hospital, but I don’t really need the papers to take care of patients. I’m a pathologist.”
“No need to worry,” Calhoun said. “You might not even have to say anything. I already explained the whole deal to the lieutenant. He didn’t have a problem.”
“I’m trusting you,” Angela said.
“You won’t be disappointed,” Calhoun said. “But I have a question for you. Your husband’s reaction last night is still bothering me. I don’t want to cause any trouble between you and your husband. The problem is I’m having more fun on this case than on any since leaving the force. What if I lower my hourly rate. Will that help?”
“Thank you for your concern,” Angela said, “but I’m sure David will be fine provided we stick to the one-week time frame.”
Despite Calhoun’s reassurances, Angela still felt nervous as she climbed out of the truck at state police headquarters in Burlington, but her concern was unnecessary. Calhoun’s presence made the operation go far more smoothly than Angela could have hoped. Calhoun did all the talking. The policeman in charge of the evidence could not have been nicer or more accommodating.