Minor in Possession by J. A. Jance Read Free Book Online Page B

their own weight. Although I can't say the trail-blazers have always been welcomed with open arms, they've done all right for themselves and for the department as well, because the ones who really make it in a man's world, quotas notwithstanding, have to be smart and capable both.
    Detective Delcia Reyes-Gonzales seemed to qualify on both counts. She was only about five six, slim and olive-skinned, but I sensed tensile strength packed in that slender body. Lustrous ebony curls were pulled away from her face while silver earrings dangled from each delicate earlobe. She was far and away the prettiest and most exotic detective I've ever seen, but there was nothing frivolous about her dignified carriage. Her brown eyes sparkled with intelligence and purpose.
    Delcia Reyes-Gonzales inclined her head and held out her hand, acknowledging Nina's introduction. She smiled slightly, revealing a row of straight white teeth.
    "Sorry to disturb your session," she said. "Hopefully this won't take too long."
    "No problem," I replied. "I was getting a little antsy in there. Can I do anything to help?"
    "We'd like to go through your cabin, if you don't mind, since it belonged to you as well as the deceased. We'll need to search your vehicle as well since presumably he was in it shortly before he died.
    "I have someone standing by in Prescott ready to obtain search warrants if necessary, but that will take several hours. In the meantime, I have a Consent-to-Search form here. If you'd be so good as to sign that, it would certainly speed things up."
    "I don't mind at all," I said. "Hand it over."
    The detective withdrew the consent form from a maroon leather briefcase and handed it to me. Using the case as a writing surface, I signed the paper on the spot.
    "I suppose you've already called in a crime scene team," I commented, passing the signed paper back to her.
    Detective Reyes-Gonzales shook her head. "We do our own crime scene work," she replied, "although the state crime lab in Phoenix does the actual analysis. This way, please, Detective Beaumont. We're to use Mrs. Crenshaw's office. Mr. Crenshaw will be making the official announcement as soon as people come to the dining hall for lunch."
    In the course of the morning a new bank of lowering clouds had blown in from the west. Now it began sprinkling in earnest. Walking briskly through the spattering rain, Detective Reyes-Gonzales led the way up the path to the main building, through the deserted dining room, and down the tiled hallway to Louise Crenshaw's office. She opened the door without knocking and motioned me into a chair before pausing to speak briefly to someone who had followed us down the hall. Finished with that, Detective Reyes-Gonzales closed the door firmly behind her, then settled herself easily into Louise Crenshaw's executive chair.
    "I take it things weren't particularly cordial between you and your roommate, Detective Beaumont," she said, opening our discussion with both a shrewd statement and an equally disarming smile. That's a killer combination for a detective—one few male detectives ever master. It did as expected and suckered me right into talking when I probably should have been listening.
    "‘Not cordial' isn't the expression I'd use," I replied shortly. "Joey Rothman was a punk kid. I've never liked punk kids."
    "Tell me a little about him," she said. "For instance, what do you mean by the term ‘punk kid'?"
    "You know the type—a spoiled brat. His family has way more money than good sense. He was a braggart, especially where women were concerned. Claimed he could screw anything in skirts. And then, there were all those rumors."
    Detective Reyes-Gonzales seemed to become more alert. "What rumors?"
    I had opened my mouth and inserted my foot. "About him being a hotshot drug dealer," I answered. "Legend has it that he was a big-time operator, that he was still dealing right here at Ironwood Ranch."
    The detective arched one delicate eyebrow. "You're saying he