Laid Out and Candle Lit by Everett Ann

Author:Everett, Ann [Everett, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Briona Glen Publishing, LLC
Published: 2011-08-22T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was early afternoon by the time Ridge got the forensic team and Bubba to accompany him to the lake house. Secluded among tall trees, the long and narrow road provided only one way in and one way out.

A covered porch spanned the length of the log cabin. Everyone pulled on rubber gloves and with search warrant in hand, Ridge tried the door and discovered it unlocked. When they stepped inside, the strong stench of bleach caused their breath to catch in the back of their throats and their eyes to burn. Someone definitely had been expecting the cabin to be checked out.

The front door opened into one large room with a kitchen and eating area on one end and a bathroom on the other. In the middle of the room, sectioned off by flowing white drapes hanging from a ceiling track, were a king-sized bed and a small seating area. Ridge walked to the drapes and slid them to the end of the track. The bed was stripped to the mattress and there were no pillows.

Ridge shook his head and glanced back at CSI Ted Mitchell, tall, lean, and all business. He’d requested Ted because he was the best the department had to offer. “Go over everything with a fine tooth comb. Work your magic and find me something . . . a hair, a fiber, residue, anything,” Ridge said.

Bubba cleared his throat and wiped his nose. “Somebody did some serious cleaning. Whattaya bet we aren’t gonna find much evidence?”

The forensic team started at the entry, dusting for prints, while Ridge walked to the small refrigerator and pulled the door open . . . empty. He moved to the sink and removed the trash receptacle, then found the can also empty. He lowered his head into the can and sniffed. “I think I can smell a hint of marijuana.”

Bubba squinted his eyes. “I’m still having trouble wrapping my brain around the forensic report. Damn! Alcohol and weed in Marlene’s system. Man, Miss Nose-in-the-air . . . I’m-better-than-you Marlene Weston using drugs. This just keeps gettin’ better and better.” He cocked his head to one side. “Did you ever do ’em? You know, when you were young?”

“Nope. You?”

“No way, man.” My biological mama was an addict . . . gave me away because of drugs. The Tatum’s were too old to adopt, but they pulled some strings and got me. I was always afraid they might change their minds and not want me anymore, so that kept me on the straight and narrow. I didn’t even drink. How about you?”

“Never was my scene. My dad was a cop and from an early age I wanted to be like him, so I was a good kid.”

They continued to move through the room, opening drawers and cabinets as they talked. “I wasn’t as pure as you. I did my share of drinking,” Ridge said.

“You think Marlene and Carl came out here to smoke some dope and spice up their love life a little?” Bubba asked.

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