Bullet Beach by Ronald Tierney Read Free Book Online Page B

Edelman’s garage . . . at his home. He is hanging from a rafter inside and if the hanging didn’t kill him he would likely have asphyxiated on the carbon monoxide from the running engine of his automobile. If anything, the man was thorough.’
    â€˜And you discovered the body?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜And you are alone?’
    â€˜Yes, depending on whether or not Edelman’s soul has left his body.’
    â€˜Have you called the police?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Call them. I’m on my way.’
    After Cross called and failed to get connected to Collins, he provided the dispatcher with the information, after which he went around to the front of the home and sat on the stoop. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and neck. It was still pretty warm out. Then there was the stress. This wasn’t a happy ending for poor Edelman. It wasn’t likely to have a happy ending for him either, Cross thought.
    The lights on the neighborhood porches started coming on when the fire truck arrived. The firefighters arrived before the police and Cross directed them to the garage. A couple of undercover cops arrived shortly after and two marked cars followed in moments. What was once a quiet, dark street was now bustling with flashing lights and various vehicles.
    One of the uniformed cops told Cross he’d have to hang around, that someone from the homicide section was on the way. Someone from the coroner’s office entered the area behind the garage. Cross went back around front to get out of the way. He could hear the growling engine of Kowalski’s Harley several blocks away. The lawyer pulled in at the same time as the big black Crowne Victoria parked across the street.
    He had hoped for Collins. Instead he got Lieutenants Swann and Rafferty. Swann was an older cop with a not quite shaved head and Wal-Mart suit. He was what cops were supposed to be in an ideal world – by the book. Rafferty was a con artist. He was bigger and softer than Swann, but like Collins he dressed a bit too well.
    â€˜Who’s this?’ Rafferty asked when Kowalski stepped between Cross and the arriving officers.
    â€˜My attorney.’
    Rafferty laughed.
    â€˜What are you doing here, Cross?’ Swann asked.
    â€˜We have to talk first,’ Kowalski said.
    â€˜It’s all right,’ Cross said to Kowalski, then turned to Swann, ‘I wanted to talk to him.’
    â€˜To Edelman?’ Swann was taking notes.
    â€˜Yes. He was the only who knew that the Lincoln was being repo’d.’
    â€˜The one with the bodies in the trunk?’ Swann asked.
    â€˜That one, yes.’
    â€˜Why is that?’ Rafferty looked bored. He glanced around.
    â€˜He wanted the car picked up that night and he wanted me to do it.’
    â€˜So you were upset?’ Swann asked.
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜You were not just upset, you were pissed.’ Rafferty said. ‘You were so pissed you might have killed him.’
    â€˜I didn’t get the chance,’ Cross said.
    â€˜Why don’t we make arrangements to talk in the morning?’ Kowalski said.
    â€˜We need to get some facts now,’ Swann said in even tones. ‘Maybe he’s the perp. Maybe not. But he’s a witness and I am going to get a statement, attorney or not.’
    â€˜Tell them exactly what happened here tonight,’ Kowalski said to Cross, ‘and not a dime’s worth more.’
    Cross told them how he came to find Edelman in the garage. Swann took notes dutifully.
    â€˜Come by tomorrow morning,’ Swann said. ‘You can bring your lawyer if you want. Nine, OK?’
    â€˜Where’s Collins?’ Cross asked.
    â€˜Your place,’ Rafferty said, ‘having a look around.’

SIX
    After a visit to the Gem Center and a few other places known for what was referred to as ‘colored stones,’ and Shanahan’s business card with his Thai contact