Bone Cold by Erica Spindler Read Free Book Online Page A

some split tips. The vic was obscured behind and in the shadow of the Dumpster.”
    Captain O’Shay hesitated, then nodded. “What about cause of death?”
    â€œPending a complete autopsy, M.E. called it suffocation.”
    The captain’s eyebrows shot up. “Suffocation? In an alley?”
    â€œYeah, unusual. She was definitely raped first. Signs of bruising and tearing on and around the labia. Bruises on her inner thighs as well.”
    â€œThe evidence team find anything?”
    â€œA few hairs, some fiber. Scraped under her nails.”
    Terry shifted in his seat. He looked ill.
    â€œWhat about her ex?” The captain looked directly at Terry.
    â€œAn old guy,” Terry replied, voice shaky. “Broke down, blubbering like a baby when we told him. Still loved her, he said. Hoped she’d come back to him.”
    â€œSounds like he had motive.”
    â€œBut no opportunity.” Quentin shook his head. “When Terry said older, he meant old. An oxygen tank, wheelchair, full-time nurse. The whole deal.”
    â€œOld but very rich,” Terry added. “Old Metairieaddress. New Orleans country club. The whole bit. Bet it never occurred to her that she’d go first.”
    Captain O’Shay glanced sharply at him. “Any boyfriends?”
    â€œNone that her ex knew of,” he answered quickly. “We’ll keep asking around.”
    â€œSo what’s this about a potential situation?”
    She looked directly at Terry once more. He shifted uncomfortably under her direct gaze. “Like we said, we were there last night. At Shannon’s. The vic was really carrying on, dancing in a real sexual way. Putting on a show, if you know what I mean?”
    The captain’s eyebrows shot up once more. “No, I’m not sure I do.”
    Quentin glanced at his partner. Going down the “she asked for it” avenue was not going to work with Patti O’Shay. In fact, it would do little but piss her off.
    Terry realized his mistake and quickly changed tack. He cleared his throat. “All I’m trying to say is that…I came on to her. More than once.”
    â€œAnd she wasn’t interested.”
    â€œYeah.” He flushed slightly. “I’d had a little too much to drink and…and—” He fumbled around for something that would paint him in a more sympathetic light.
    When he came up blank, the captain filled the break. “And you didn’t take no for an answer.”
    â€œLike I said, I’d had a little too much to drink.”
    Captain O’Shay stood and came around the desk. She perched on its edge, looking down at her detective, forcing him to look up at her. “And you think that makes bad behavior acceptable?”
    He squirmed under her withering gaze. “No, Captain.”
    â€œI’m glad we agree on that, Detective. What happened next?”
    â€œI pushed too hard. Me and the vic exchanged words, the guy she was with and I almost came to blows.”
    The captain didn’t look happy. “Almost?”
    â€œMalone saved my ass.”
    She shifted her gaze to Quentin’s. He nodded and she crossed to the window, looked out at the cold bright day. Without turning she said. “Write it up. All of it. Both of you.”
    â€œYes, Captain.”
    She turned then. “I know you’re having some trouble in your personal life, Detective Landry. Do you need a leave of absence until it’s straightened out?”
    He shot to his feet. “No way, Captain! I’d go crazy if I couldn’t work.”
    She hesitated a moment, then inclined her head. “All right. But I don’t want to see a repeat of last night’s behavior. I will not allow you to drag this department through the muck with you. Is that understood?”
    â€œYes, Captain.”
    â€œGood. One more item. I’m giving the case to Johnson and Walden.”
    â€œThose disc jockey