Fatal Forensic Investigation by Darlene L. Turner

Author:Darlene L. Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-28T20:28:43+00:00

ELEVEN

Scarlet sketched the handcuffed Ian Miller’s twisted face. His wrists were fastened to a metal bar attached to the table. Was Jace scared the man would flee? His cocky lawyer—Brody Kellogg—sat beside him, arms crossed and knee bouncing. He’d found out about his client’s arrest and stomped into the interview five minutes ago, demanding to know why he hadn’t been called.

Before leaving his home and heading to the small Coral Bay police station, Jace had ensured Charlie and Marcy were safe. Gail had promised to stay posted in his driveway to keep a close watch on his family. It was the only way he would leave them. Right now, he tapped his pen on the steel table. Scarlet nudged him, hoping he’d catch her reassurance she was there for him and calm his obvious frayed nerves over the threat to Charlie.

Jace cleared his throat and stilled his pen. “Brody, we have evidence your client was at the scene of an earlier crime.”

Brody leaned forward. “Give me details, Constable Allen.”

Jace shoved an evidence bag toward them. “Your client’s print is on this tube of lipstick left at Violet Kelly’s house.” His nostrils flared. “Ian, where is Violet?”

Ian’s eyes widened. “I have no idea.”

Jace stretched his hands out wide, trying to curb his growing frustration with the man. “She reported seeing a post office emblem on her attacker’s jacket. Was that you?”

“No! I would never hurt sweet Vi. You know me—I’m not capable of something like this.”

Jace opened a folder and read. “I thought I did, Ian. However, your prints are in our system. You were charged with assault.”

“That was when I attended university in Vancouver, and it wasn’t my fault. I was at a bar and—”

Brody squeezed Ian’s shoulder. “Not another word.” He turned to Jace. “Is that all the evidence you have?”

“Why were you at Violet’s house, Ian?” Jace asked, ignoring the lawyer’s question. “There’s something you’re not telling us. What is it?”

“Nothing. I’m not sure where she is, and I was not at her house.” Ian chewed the inside of his mouth.

Scarlet stopped drawing and studied the man. He blinked multiple times, then shifted in his chair.

A scene flashed in her memory. Her interviewing a victim who turned out to be guilty of the crime, not the witness. He’d also reacted the same way when she had asked questions. Did this mean her amnesia was subsiding? It also told her one thing.

Ian was lying.

She leaned closer and whispered in Jace’s ear, “Do you mind if I ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

Scarlet stood. “Ian, your body language tells me you’re withholding information. You’re chewing the inside of your cheek, blinking and fidgeting in your chair. What are you hiding?” She walked around the table and stopped behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “A woman’s life is at stake here.”

He recoiled. “Don’t touch me. I have rights.”

Scarlet held her hands in the air and walked back to her chair. “Of course you do, but so does Violet Kelly. Are you the Coastline Strangler?”

“What? No!” Once again, he chewed the inside of his mouth.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.