Inspector Mage: The Hanging Priest (The Inspector Mage Trilogy Book 2) by Aleese Hughes

Author:Aleese Hughes [Hughes, Aleese]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Writ Keepers Publishing
Published: 2022-12-03T06:00:00+00:00

*Russell*

Russell snatched the autopsy report from Marsh’s desk and held it high above his head as Marsh tried to grab it back. The short man gave up quickly, muttering under his breath. Marsh plopped back into his chair.

“There’s nothing helpful in that report,” Marsh grumbled.

Russell didn’t want to take the chief’s word for it until he looked at the report himself. He thumbed through the papers quickly. Priest Gillian's final meal had been a sandwich; there was a small scar on his ankle from an injury at least a decade ago, but there was nothing out of the ordinary with the priest’s body. No evidence of a struggle, and other than the damage from the noose, no fresh bruises, scrapes—nothing. By all conclusions, the death was a suicide.

Groaning, Russell threw the papers on top of Marsh’s other files. “I guess I’ll go talk to the man we just caught.”

Russell turned to leave, hoping that Marsh wouldn't stop him if he left quickly enough.

“We caught?” Marsh scoffed. “I wasn’t there, but I heard the club wouldn’t even let you and Miss Melton in.”

Russell grimaced and slowly turned around. He stepped cautiously toward his old boss.

“You’re right, you’re right. Your officers won that one. But since Julie and I saw the suspect first, I think I deserve to talk with him.”

Marsh shook his head, then rose from his seat. Without looking in Russell’s direction, he marched to the door and exited.

Russell ran after the chief and grabbed his arm. “Come on, Marsh! You have to let me see him. I’m on this case, too!”

Chief Marsh pried Russell’s fingers off his arm and continued down the stone hallway.

“Not a chance, Gaines. You know I’m not supposed to allow someone outside of the law to speak with suspects in holding.”

“But you’ve let me before!” Russell cried, throwing his arms up in the air. “With Lord Sexton.”

Marsh halted mid-step and stared Russell down. “Say that louder, Gaines! I don’t think the Supreme Minister heard you.”

Chief Marsh continued on his path, leaving Russell to remain planted in the hall, tapping his foot frustratedly. Before Marsh retreated around a corner, Russell blurted out:

“What if I told you he didn’t kill Priest Gillian?”

Marsh whirled around, lips pursed, and eyes narrowed.

“I didn’t say we think he killed the priest. We’re only holding him now because he ran.”

Russell gave a small smile. “But I can get him to tell us why. I always do.”

Chief Marsh rubbed a hand over his face and pulled on his mustache as if the pain would distract him from his annoyance.

“Fine.”

Russell pumped a fist in the air victoriously, but Marsh stopped him with a quick raise of his hand.

“But I’m only giving you two minutes!” He held up two stubby fingers and raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear me? Two.”

Russell nodded emphatically, already headed toward the holding cells.

Sighing, Marsh followed.

The echo of Russell’s boots meeting damp stone brought back memories of putting suspects in these cells himself. There were two holding areas in the police building–one for women and one for men.

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