Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Fine.” He’s not happy about it but Jay knows where our priority has to be with the Chief on a rampage about our lack of progress on these murders. It didn’t matter than until two days ago he refused to say serial killer out loud, today the press is using that phrase and he’s hellbent on us solving these crimes yesterday.
“Great. I’ll call Amelia and you reach out to Nate.” Before he can say anything else, I pick up my phone and shoot off a quick text message which Amelia responds to right away. “She’s on her way.”
“Look, kid. About yesterday.”
I raise my hand to stop his words. “Don’t worry about it, Jay. You were right. It’s none of my business.” Just because he’s like family to me doesn’t make me privy to all of his secrets. “We’re good.”
“Frankie, come on.”
“I’m serious, Jay. Your health problems or whatever are your business and if you choose to share them or not, that’s your choice. I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle whatever comes.” I’m not sure if I can handle it or not, but I’ll have to so I will. “Did you find anything out last night?”
“Yeah,” he grunts. “None of the anonymous groups keep an actual membership list so we’re shit outta luck since none of our vics are gonna show up. Spent all night going through calendars and shit to see if they had any hours blocked off on the same dates or times. Came up with fuck all.”
“Okay. I hate to say it, but I think our next step has to be dating apps.”
Jay groans and it makes me chuckle. “Fucking shit, Frankie. Just shoot me in the ass right now.”
A knock sounds on the door a second before it opens to reveal a uniformed officer with an uncertain smile. “There’s a delivery for you, Detective DeMarco.”
A delivery guy appears with several large boxes that require my signature. Before the pen is in my hand, I can smell the scent of bacon and maple syrup. “I didn’t order any food.”
“I just make the deliveries, lady.” He impatiently motions for me to sign for receipt, which I do. “Enjoy your breakfast.”
“Right.” I grunt at his retreating form while Jay quickly opens the first box with a giddy laugh.
“I guess you and Richie Rich made up?” The gleeful expression on his face is too much to bear.
I flip him the bird.
“Guess so. Thank God because this food is top tier.”
I roll my eyes just as Amelia arrives, Nate coming minutes later to pitch in on our brainstorming session. “If you said there would be food, I’d have come quicker,” Amelia says as she sets her laptop down and attacks another box of food.
“Same,” Nate says, making a sandwich from the pastries and breakfast meats, a wide smile on his face. “So, what do you need from me?”
I sigh and explain the lack of connection between the victims. “We need ideas.” I point to the boards where the victims are displayed. “They all attended schools in L.A. unified school district but not the same schools, no overlapping sports where they would have played against one another.”
“I have some thoughts,” Amelia begins, still chewing a bite of food. With a sheepish smile, she continues chewing while we all wait. “Okay. Sorry about that, but I’ve been looking into the victims.”
“Victim blaming?” Nate scoffs and there’s tension in his words.
Amelia narrows her gaze. “Hardly, but we’re not going to catch this guy if we pretend the victims were all angels, right?” She doesn’t let Nate finish before turning to me and Jay. “These guys are all flawed, right?”
“They’re men,” I say in response.
“Aren’t we all?” Jay adds with a teasing smile.
“Right. But I’ve gone through their criminal histories and none of them are criminal masterminds, but not one of them is squeaky clean, either.” She looks down at her tablet, scrolling through the pages. “Driving under the influence, domestic violence, battery and harassment. Other than a few nights in jail, they’ve never served time, so they weren’t locked up together, but this is where there is some overlap. In actions rather than places.”
The room is silent.
“It’s just a thought.” Amelia shrugs and reaches for a croissant.
“No,” I begin, my curiosity piqued. “It’s a good thought.” I flip through the files compiled on each of the victims. “They haven’t served time together or even shared a probation officer, so what are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that they all show signs of troubled upbringings, and maybe that’s why we can’t put two and two together.” Amelia’s flare for the dramatic is on full display as she lets the silence hang in the air. “Because juvenile files are sealed.”
This time, the silence stretches on. “Damn, Doc.” Jay’s grin is infectious. “You really are more than a pretty face.”