AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shook his head. “No. The man was killed by a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Whoever did it wanted him to suffer. He was shot at point blank range with his own gun and left to bleed out. Coroner at the time said it took about three hours for him to die.”
“How did the woman die?”
“That’s the interesting part. The coroner in Oak Springs said she was likely killed by someone she knew because it was a more intimate murder.”
I cringed. “Never knew there was such a thing.”
“Me neither. She was strangled, but there were signs she’d had intercourse before her death.”
“Raped?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Which is why the coroner thought she was killed by someone she knew.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Okay, so what’s your theory?”
“Glad you asked. I think that the wife was having an affair, and her lover shot the husband. I haven’t worked out how she ended up dead or how it all ties into the fire. A few of the suspects worked with the husband at the mill, but all were cleared at the time of the murders.”
“When did these deaths happen?”
“About ten years ago.”
I stood and looked at the timeline on the board. It didn’t add up. Why start a fire now? Unless someone was hiding something. But what?
“Ten years is a long time, and if your theory holds true, then he would have gotten away with it. Why the fire? Maybe it’s not related at all.”
“That could be. I said it was a theory.”
I turned around. “Yeah. There are a lot of holes in it. Let’s table it for the night and revisit things in the morning when the fire department has more information for us.”
“Want to grab a beer?” Nash asked.
“No. I’m going to head over to Will’s. I’m exhausted, and it’s going to be a long few days.”
After making copies of Nash’s files, I left the station and walked the half block to my brother’s house. The house was quiet and dark. It was only ten, so I doubted Will was asleep. He was likely either still at work or at the bar. I pulled my phone out and dialed his number.
“Will Lewis.”
“Where are you?”
“Relax, honey. I’ll be home soon.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dick.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’m at work. Caught a case. I’ll be home soon.”
“You got one too? Any chance they’re related?”
“I’m a lawyer, Sid. Not law enforcement. That’s your job.”
“Never mind. Good night.”
“Night, sweetheart. I’ll come in and kiss you good night when I get home,” he said.
“You come through that door, and I’ll unload my service revolver into your chest.”
His booming laugh annoyed me. “Damn. You’re an ornery bastard.”
“Bye, Will.”
