“It’s not the tube of lipstick that I care about. She was a book and release with a future court date. The thing I’m interested in is what I got back when I ran her prints through the automated fingerprint system this morning. It came back that the prints belonged to a Penny Leslie Burnside. And I also got a photo of her from South Dakota law enforcement.” He took out a piece of paper and showed it to Muerto. “Is that your employee Jaime Brandt?”
Muerto scanned the black-and-white mug shot of Jaime. He nodded. “That’s her. A lot of people use different names. Sometimes they don’t want exes to find them. I still don’t see why you’re making a big fuss about it.”
“She has an outstanding warrant out of Pierre, South Dakota… for murder.” Wexler stared at him.
Fuck! I wonder who she offed.Stone-faced, he returned the sheriff’s stare.
“What time does she come in for her shift?”
Muerto shrugged.I’m not giving him shit.
A wry smile brushed Wexler’s lips. “You know, when I arrested her she told me she was unemployed.”
“How’d you know to come here?”
“When I got the information, me and a few deputies got the judge to sign a search warrant. We went over to her place but she wasn’t there. We had the landlord let us in, and I found some real interesting things in her apartment. Did you have a relationship with her?”
“You mean fucking?” Wexler nodded. “No. Why?”
“Ever go out with her?”
“Again… no.”
“Well… she’s got a whole wall dedicated to you in her bedroom. A bunch of pictures of you alone, with other women, but the disturbing thing is that there’s a section of the wall of photos of you and some black-haired woman. There are also photos of the black-haired woman by herself. On the face of the woman, the words ‘slut’, ‘whore’, and ‘cunt’ are written in red marker. And the photos of you with this woman have a black X over your face, and some of them have ‘You’re dead’ written on them.”
Is this for fuckin’ real?“‘You’re dead’ was graffitied on these walls,” he said in a low voice. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same Jaime?” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “What the fuck?”
Raven!The world fell away, drained of all color. He grabbed his phone and tapped in her number, the phone shaking slightly in his hands. Straight to voice mail. “Fuck!” His icy fingers tapped the number a second time. Again, voice mail. Sweat dripped into his eyes, and he pulled up his shirt and wiped his face.
“My woman’s in trouble. I gotta go.” He rushed from behind the bar. “Willy, watch the bar for me,” he said as he hurried out.
Wexler panted as he caught up to him. “Wait up, I’m going with you. The woman is dangerous. She spent some time in a mental ward for attacking and vandalizing an ex-boyfriend’s house.” He turned around and ran back to his SUV.
Jumping on his Harley, Muerto sped away.Don’t let me be too fuckin’ late. Hold on for me, babe. I’m coming.
