Page 24 of Done Dirty

“If I was one to draw conclusions I’d say maybe the names and dollar signs in the book correlate with the stacks of cash. But what do I know.”

“Well, we know that blackmail is a dangerous business.”

“There are a lot of names in here. And they’re all women’s names.”

“Which lends itself more and more to a postmortem knife in the crotch.”

He photographed every page before he snapped it shut. “We can get a jump start comparing these names to the membership list while all this is being processed as evidence.”

Jack called Daniels to see who she had close by to come collect evidence and the electronics.

“They’re still at the scene,” Jack said when he disconnected. “A couple of guys will be down in a few minutes.”

“I need to get busy on the autopsy,” I said. “See what else Wade can tell us about himself.”

“I’m going to start the process for financials. I want to see if those stacks of cash are sequential. Derby will go through the electronics, and Martinez can get me a name for Sloane Ferriday’s husband. I want to talk to him.”

Two CSI officers showed up a few minutes later and Jack pointed them at the safe and the computer.

“Get the comp and phone to Derby,” Jack told them. “The cash needs to be photographed. Send everything over to me ASAP so I can get with the bank and look for a trace.”

“Yes, sir,” the older of the two men said.

We walked back through the empty studio where Dana was waiting for us.

“I’ve cancelled classes for the rest of the week,” she said. “The timing works with the holiday weekend. I don’t know what Wade’s succession plan was, or even if he had one, but his attorney should know. Members have paid through the month and instructors are expecting a paycheck.”

Her tone was almost robotic, and there was a blank expression on her face I recognized as shock.

“I know this is hard,” Jack said.

“I’m still trying to process,” she said. “I’m not really sure what to do next. It doesn’t feel real.”

“My advice is to go home and turn your phone off for a while,” Jack said.

She half laughed and pressed her fingers against her temples. “I was thinking I’d have a glass of wine or two.”

“Whatever works,” Jack said.

She took a thick sheaf of papers from the desk and handed them to me.

“Here’s the client list, plus those who dropped their memberships.”

“We appreciate it,” I said, slipping them inside my bag.

We said our goodbyes and then trudged back out into the heat.

“You need to eat lunch before you head back to the office,” Jack said.

“If you try to take me to that Salata I’ll strangle you in your sleep.”

He put his hand on the back of my neck and squeezed gently. “Since I want to live another day, I was going to suggest the Thai place across the street.”

“I love you,” I said, leaning into his side.

“I know. But it’s nice to hear you say so.”

CHAPTER SIX