For My Brother by John C. Dalglish Read Free Book Online Page A

Jason.”
    Jason let out a small laugh.
    “Hi, Doc.”
    Doc Josie continued.
    “Well, to answer the question about ID on the prints, I don’t have a name, but I do have a match. It’s the same ones we pulled from Ed Garland’s duplex.”
    Lieutenant Banks sat up, grabbed a file on her desk, and slid it across to Jason.
    “I just passed the file to Strong. Did you find anything else in the car?”
    “Not so far.”
    “Okay, Doc. Thanks for the update. I’m assigning the Morris case to Strong and Jefferson, so keep them in the loop.”
    The lieutenant hit the disconnect button without waiting for a reply.
    “Alright, you two better review the Morris file and see if it gives you any direction on Garland.”
    Jason got up and headed for the door.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    It seemed they would be working the missing persons cases awhile longer.

 
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
    Big thunderclouds to the west darkened the sky, a spitting rain just starting, as Donnie parked and got out. He was now halfway through the first phase of Billy’s plan, and he wanted to keep his brother up to speed on how they were doing.
    “Hi, Billy. Good news, we’re halfway. Chelsea is in her cell.”
    Donnie listened intently before starting to pace back and forth in front of the grave.
    “Billy, I’m doing this as fast as I can. It’s not easy, and you’re not here to help.” Donnie stopped moving and stared down at his brother. “I gotta go. I’ll be back when I have more news.”
    Donnie turned and walked off. The rain picked up when he got in the van, and he sat looking out the window as a full downpour began.
    Hurry up, he says. He doesn’t seem to appreciate what I’ve accomplished. Haven’t I done everything he’s asked? I’ve had to do all the work, and I’ve done a good job. He doesn’t seem to understand how hard all of this is!
    Donnie started the van and turned on the wipers. The weather it seemed was in the same bad mood he was.
     
    *******
     
    Jason sat at his desk going over the file they received from Lieutenant Banks.
    Chelsea Morris, previously Chelsea Burt, was a waitress at Daylight Donuts in the center of the city. She lived in a house owned by her parents, and had returned to San Antonio from California several years ago.
    Jason looked out the window at the rain. Summer rain was rare, and the downpour was a welcome sight. Nina was checking the missing girl’s name for priors.
    “No record. Drivers license clean except for a speeding ticket several years ago.”
    “Okay. The file says Miss Morris was reported missing by a friend at work. We need to go see her.”
    “I’m putting in a request for Morris’s phone records. That will give us two sets to compare. We should have them in the morning.”
    Lieutenant Patton got off the elevator and stopped at Jason’s desk on the way to his office. “How’s it going with the missing person case?”
    Jason leaned back in his chair and looked up at the lieutenant. “It’s now a two-missing-persons case.”
    “Really? More than one?”
    “Yeah. Two cases connected by a set of prints. We may be a while getting free from the clutches of Lieutenant Banks.”
    John Patton smiled.
    “You make it sound like she’s a spider who has you in her web.”
    Nina snorted.
    “That’s an excellent description.”
    The lieutenant looked at Nina and back at Jason.
    “Don’t be fooled. She’s very good, kind of abrupt I know, but good.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    The two detectives exchanged glances as Lieutenant Patton went to his office.
    Jason had noticed some admiration in the voice of his boss. “Apparently, he’s familiar with her. I think he’s impressed by her.”
    Nina laughed. “Yeah, or afraid of her!”
    It was Jason’s turn to laugh, but he knew better. John Patton wasn’t afraid of anybody.
     
    *******
     
    Chelsea Morris sat on the blanket in her cell listening to the rain. She still hadn’t been able to sleep, but she was getting hungry. She heard footsteps