Crushed--An Ellie MacIntosh Thriller by Kate Watterson

Author:Kate Watterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Chapter 16

Another ticket cashed.

He sat on his back porch and thought it all over. She’d deserved it. Didn’t she know that?

That was the frustrating part.

She hadn’t recognized him.

It might have changed everything if she had, but he doubted it. He was careening down a treacherous path.

That harsh, vindictive harridan hadn’t even recognized him.

Her death had been a pleasure.

* * *

“My informant rolled, but the word of one man who has a rap sheet a mile long isn’t going to impress a judge.” Carl didn’t offer it as a disclaimer, but it was the cold, hard truth. “I know who did it now, but haven’t one shred of evidence except the word of a convicted drug dealer. If the shooter was smart he traded guns with one of his buddies, so the murder weapon is now in the hands of someone with a solid alibi. I hate these gang-related cases, but Metzger keeps giving them to me.”

Georgia just smiled, elegant in a black suit. She could really pull that off. “I suspect you’re very good at solving them, or at least better than anyone else in the department. I think he’s a smart man. You represent authority more than someone, for instance, like Santiago. They would never talk to Ellie either. She’s a woman. My impression is it’s a very misogynist culture, and Santiago looks like he left his surfboard somewhere. They wouldn’t take him seriously either. You look like a detective. You look like authority.”

“I like the free counseling.” Carl actually did like talking to her, so he wasn’t entirely joking. “And the other perks, of course.” He’d rarely spoken about his job with any other women he’d dated. “Last night was … memorable.”

Her place this time. Drinks and dinner and a good aftermath in the bedroom, and now they were having lunch.

She was amused too. “I’m good with memorable.” Then she stopped smiling. “I understand there was another murder.”

“There’s always another murder. I assume you mean the Park Bench Killer. We have no idea who the victim is, as usual.”

“Another note?”

“We’ve been trying to keep that out of the press, but yes.”

“He seems very motivated. I wish I had a better word. Let’s say intent. I know Ellie.”

He had polished off his meal and felt better because he frequently didn’t eat enough. Georgia was not only interesting as a woman, but maybe good for him. “I’d agree with intent.”

She’d ordered biscotti for dessert and took a ladylike bite. “There hasn’t been a breakthrough?”

“I don’t think so. I’m helping, but not a lead investigator.”

“Ellie is lead and not Santiago?”

He considered it. “They are a unique team. She’s got insight and a way with a witness, and he’s a tough street-smart kid that became a cop. I don’t think the chief says one or the other and they decide. I think he just assigns the case and lets it fly. Good call. Let them handle it together.”

* * *

It wasn’t as if Georgia liked her job all of the time. Counseling certain patients took extraordinary patience and left her wondering if she’d actually helped.

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