The Immorality Clause by Brian Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

of the murders.
    “Hmm…” the doctor muttered. “The murder-suicide is a stretch, but it does fit the timeline, and I agree with you that they seem to be getting progressively more violent. Stabbing is less protracted than beating someone to death and I believe it could be considered not as violent on a scale of this sort. Switching up an M.O. is not unheard of with serial killers. The method a killer uses may change, but the underlying reason of why they’re doing it doesn’t.”
    “Yeah, so that’s what I need help with. So far, the location and the timing of the murders are the only consistent elements. I’m not even sure that they’re related, but the evidence points toward that possibility.”
    The muffled sounds of the natives getting restless in the background reminded me that she had somewhere to be. “Hey, sorry. I’ll let you get back to the birthday party,” I said. “I just needed a second set of eyes on this before the feds get wind of it.”
    “Send the files to my house. I’ll look through them tonight and tomorrow. We’ll talk Monday morning.”
    “Will do. Thank you, Doc.”
    “No problem. Bye, Zachary.” She hung up before I could reply.
    I wasn’t happy about the morning meeting since I typically worked nights, but I was off on Sunday, so maybe I’d be able to rest a little. I tapped a few more keys on the dash and Andi’s voice came through the radio. “Good afternoon, boss. My satellite interface says you’re in Venetian Isles. Did the navigation system malfunction in the Jeep again?”
    I grimaced. The last time that happened, I’d ended up north of Slidell before Andi could override the car’s computer.
    “No,” she stated immediately in response to her question. “Diagnostics show the vehicle is working correctly.”
    “I’m meeting with a witness down here.”
    “That’s acceptable. I was worried for you.” Andi made statements like that sometimes and I often wondered if her AI was developing faster than I thought possible. Computers could emulate human emotions, but they didn’t truly experience them.
    “Can you have N.O.S.T. pick up a package I’m going to place in the external cargo deck?”
    “Contents of the package and delivery location?” she asked.
    “Police files and Dr. Jasmine Jones residence.”
    There was a slight pause before Andi returned. “New Orleans Secure Transfer has been notified. They’ll pick up the package while you’re interviewing the witness. There’s a courier three blocks away on another call, he’s been rerouted to your location.”
    I picked up the bundle of files from the perpetually empty passenger seat and wrapped a big rubber band around them. The courier was close; it didn’t make any sense to take the time to prepare the external cargo system. “I’ll meet them in person since they’re nearby. Can you change the method of pick up?”
    “Done.”
    “Thanks, Andi. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
    “You’re welcome. Be safe.”
    She clicked off and I saw the flashing orange lights of the N.O.S.T. truck speeding toward me through the windshield. These bots were fast.
    The truck pulled up beside my door and extended a canopy over the Jeep to keep the rain from damaging the paperwork. I hit the automatic window button.
    “Good afternoon, Detective Forrest. I am from New Orleans Secure Transfer to pick up a package for transport to Dr. Jasmine Jones, 8332 North Broad Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.”
    “Uh, yeah, sure,” I replied. I didn’t know where the doctor lived; Andi had set up the delivery location. “Hey, do you have a large letter-sized envelope?”
    “Yes, sir,” the robot answered and produced a plain manila envelope.
    I took a moment to slide all of the files together inside the package and secure the flap. “Here you go,” I said, holding the package out the window into the funnel of dry air created by the canopy.
    “Thank you, Detective Forrest,” it said, handing me a small