Lethal Legacy by Louise Hendricksen Read Free Book Online Page B

Cupboard doors gaped, broken glass littered the counter top. The
     contents of overturned drawers mounded on the floor. A mess to be true, but an orderly
     mess all the same. “Someone's looking for something.” She turned to Nathan. “Right?"
    â€œSomething small, is my guess. They pried the baseboards and electrical outlets off in
     the other rooms.” He hooked his thumbs in the back pockets of his pants and said
     quietly, “Smell the cigarette smoke?"
    B.J. eyed him steadily. “Yes.” He turned his back. “I'll take this room, Amy. You go
     through the others and see if we should reprocess them. Then we'd better contact the
     sheriff."
    Nathan shifted from one foot to the other. “If it's all right with you, I'd like to look
     around outside."
    â€œI've already gone over the grounds around the house.” B.J. made a sweeping motion with
     his hand. “But, sure, go do whatever you want to do.” His tone was less man
     gracious.
    Nathan stiffened and looked away. Amy scowled at her father, moved to Nathan's side and
     put her hand on his arm. “See you in a little while."
    His expression softened slightly and he nodded.
    After Nathan left, Amy followed the trail of incense-scented cigarette smoke into the
     living room. A sofa and two chairs rested on their backs, their white satin coverings
     slashed, their padding pulled out.
    Beside a six-foot-tall feather palm stood a chest its brass-hinged doors gaping open. A
     raw cigarette burn marred the black lacquered top. Gray ash dotted the oak flooring
     beneath the chest's carved feet.
    Amy clenched her teeth. The bastard desecrated Mai's body, then he savaged her house.
     Rigid with anger, she marched into the study. Books lay everywhere, each with its spine
     slit.
    She picked up a dog-eared children's book illustrated with crude pen and ink drawings.
     Thinking it might be a keepsake of Mai's, Amy slid the slim volume into her pocket to
     give to Cam, and moved on to inspect the bathroom.
    Lotions, creams, pills, and bath crystals filled the sink to overflowing. Discarded
     containers cluttered the counter top and floor. Amy swore under her breath and continued
     her survey.
    In the master bedroom, piles of mattress stuffing dotted the parquet floor. An
     intricately made screen slumped in a corner, its bamboo sections split open like a
     gutted fish. What was it that would drive anyone to such wanton destruction? she
     wondered.
    â€œAmy,” Nathan said, startling her out of her reverie. She turned as he made his way
     toward her, his boot heels thudding on bare flooring. As he always did when following a
     trail, he kept to the periphery, to avoid walking where others might have walked. “I
     found something I think you and your father should see."
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    â€œI've got plenty to do right here,” B.J. said irritably when Amy asked
     him to accompany her and Nathan outside. “Look at this.” He held up a shard of glass
     tipped with what looked like blood, dropped it into an evidence bag, and scribbled an
     I.D. on the fluorescent red label.
    â€œIt'll keep Dad, Nathan's found something."
    Ignoring Nathan, who stood in the doorway behind him, B.J. growled, “Blast it! You know I
     don't like other people messing around in my case."
    Nathan's nostrils flared, but he gave no other indication he'd heard the older man.
    Amy's patience snapped. “What case? We don't have a single lead."
    B.J. looked up, startled by her tone. “All right, all right. Don't get so upset.” He
     flipped up the gray hood of his magnified viewer and peered at Nathan. “Let's see what
     you've got."
    â€œWait until I get my camera and forensic kit,” Amy said and started for the door.
    â€œHow do you know you'll need them?"
    She turned and gave a hint of a grin. “I know Nathan."
    Nathan suddenly brightened. “I'll get your gear."
    B.J. fidgeted as he and Amy waited for him by the back step.