Primary Suspect by Laura Scott

Author:Laura Scott [Scott, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2018-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

TEN

Dana sensed Mitch’s distress and wished there was something she could do to help make him feel better. The possible link to Kent’s family was bad enough, but adding in Mitch’s partner, Jeff, likely being involved in covering up crimes? She couldn’t imagine. Mitch must be looking back over the past three years wondering what he had missed.

She rose and moved closer to Mitch, resting her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s try to stay focused on the facts. We know Shelton, Inc. owns at least one of the warehouses that burned, but we don’t know how many other owners may be involved. And even if Jeff was culpable in covering up the crimes, we still haven’t figured out how anyone is making money off the fires in the first place.”

Mitch reached up and covered her hand with his, as if grateful for the connection. “Has to be for the insurance money.”

“Not necessarily,” Mike countered. He stared at their joined hands for a moment, then continued, “What if this is related to construction work of some kind?”

“Simon’s muddy work boots,” Mitch said thoughtfully.

“Where?”

“In his truck. I noticed them in the back as we fled the apartment complex.” Mitch shrugged at the surprise in Mike’s eyes. “Hang around with cops long enough and you start to think like them. I was looking for blood or other evidence related to Janice’s murder, but there wasn’t anything obvious other than the muddy steel-toed construction boots.”

“Could be a connection,” Mike agreed. “And there was that case a few years back where a well-known construction company was corrupt, with ties to Chicago.”

“So what?” Dana was confused. “I don’t understand the link.”

Mitch glanced up at her. “Big cities like New York, Chicago and Boston have a history of being associated with the mafia,” he explained.

“Mitch is right.” Mike’s expression was grim. “The wise guys aren’t as overt as they used to be, but trust me, the underground world of organized crime still exists.”

Despite working in the busy ER of the only level-one trauma center in the city, Dana realized she had led a sheltered life. Caring for victims of crimes was never easy, but she didn’t know very much about the true nature of criminal enterprises.

“I’m still not clear why the mafia would want to burn down buildings. What’s the payoff for them?” She frowned as realization dawned. “Unless it’s about revenge? Or some sort of internal fighting between two criminal organizations?”

“Could be infighting,” Mitch agreed. He still hadn’t let go of her hand and it was a little scary how much she’d come to appreciate the closeness they shared. “But don’t discount the money side. Most business owners carry builder’s risk insurance and they can collect on that money if the fire is deemed accidental.”

She shivered and moved closer to Mitch, hating the idea of fires being set as a way to profit. “That’s terrible.”

“Yeah,” Mike agreed. “I have an update from Miles.”

Mitch’s muscles tensed beneath her fingers. “What?”

“ME puts the time of Janice’s death somewhere between five and eight in the evening.

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