AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We still have to investigate.”
A crack of thunder almost drowns out Sharpe’s words, and the skies open up, dumping rain. It hits the metal roof of the overhang, the sound deafening.
I steel myself as we walk past the next door to the one at the end, where Marc lifts a hand to knock.
When no answer comes, he tries again, raising his voice to be heard over the downpour. “Tammy Holden? Your neighbors called in a wellness check. Are you in there?”
I try to peer through the small window farther down, but curtains block my view, and when I drag in a deep breath, all I smell is wet asphalt and ozone. The rain masks whatever stench was reported.
Marc wiggles the doorknob, then looks at me and steps to the side.
He and Sharpe make a shield as I kneel in front of the door and pull a set of picks from my pocket.
Unlike her cautious neighbor, Tammy only has one lock, which opens with ease. The door swings inward a few inches before a chain at the top stops it.
The air trapped inside rushes out, bringing with it the stomach-churning, sweet stench of death and a faint buzzing.
Pulse leaping, I yank the door closed once more, and a moment later, the sound of flies pepper against the window, trying to escape.
I look up at Marc and Sharpe. “We’re too late. Tammy’s gone.”
captain of clearhelm
- Sharpe -
The metallic taste of death hangs in the air as the police swarm over the crime scene. The rain can’t fight back the stench with the door open and the flies released.
Tammy had been dead for several days—possibly for as long as Vicki—her remains left to bloat in the summer heat.
I glance at Marc, who sways on his feet a few paces away as he finishes giving his statement to an officer. Pen stands a little farther down the platform, wrapping up her own interview.
“Sharpe, Chief Lynch would like to speak to you.” The detective in front of me holds out a cell phone.
I blow out a breath as I take it and raise it to my ear. “This is Sharpe.”
“Is this another monster kill?” he demands without preamble.
“It is.” The crime scene techs confirmed that soon after gaining access to the apartment.
“When you’re done there, come debrief me in person.” Strain tightens his voice. “Can I trust you to come in on your own? Or does an officer have to escort you to city hall?”
“No need to be so dramatic.” I see Pen is done with her report and gesture for her to join me. “I’ve always come to your office when you’ve asked.”
“Fine.” He lets out a long sigh. “I’ll be waiting.”
Before I can respond, he hangs up, and I pass the phone back to the detective.
Pen waits until he walks away, then turns to me. “Everything okay?”
I lift a shoulder. “Lynch wants a debriefing of how the investigation is going.”
“Then why not ask one of his people?” Pen sweeps a hand out to encompass the men and women in uniform scurrying around us. “They know more than we do.”
I give her a long stare. “You know that’s not what he means.”
She crosses her arms under her breasts. “We already declined to work for him. He should take the hint.”
“Things are different now.” When she arches her brows, I lower my voice. “Bailey’s no longer in charge.”
