Shift by Martinet Patrik

Author:Martinet, Patrik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PEM Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

"Let me get changed," Fletcher said to Eric. He secured his bike to the mount in the bed of his truck, then unlocked the door and grabbed the duffle bag sitting on his seat.

In the station he took a quick shower to rinse off, foregoing shampoo or soap, then got dressed. Ten minutes later he was driving to the mall in his cruiser, with Eric in the passenger seat. "Why is it that I always have to drive?" he said in annoyance. He was tired and hungry and could have used a chance to cool down more.

"Because Batman would never let Robin drive the Batmobile, you idiot," Eric said.

"We're back to that?"

"Yeah, well, you rejected my Wyatt and Doc idea, so…"

Fletcher ate a protein bar as they drove to the mall, but knew it wouldn't hold him for long. The improvement to his mood was fading quickly.

He followed Highway 69 toward Prescott Valley and exited at the mall entrance. The road curved right, following the curve of the excavated hill on which the mall sat. At the top, he turned into the parking lot and followed the road around the mall. He found an open spot near the entrance to Book World, where several patrol cars were parked, their lights flashing. Crime scene tape was wrapped around the cement posts at the entrance of the store and a group of officers stood just outside the door. Fletcher shut off the car and reluctantly got out.

"It's about time, Wise Guy," Sergeant Frey said as Fletcher and Eric approached.

"Sorry, needed a little time to clear my head," Fletcher said. "What do we have?"

"Something eerily similar to the Williams case."

"That's what Eric was telling me."

"A gal identified as Nicole Henricks walked into the bookstore and killed a Mr. Hank Michaels. She claims she was meeting someone for coffee then somehow ended in a dark room—as a fucking man."

"I'm assuming you've already questioned her?"

"No. I'm making it up. You okay, Smarts?"

"I'm fine. But if you already questioned her, then what's with the big rush for me to get down here?"

"Because I want you to tell me what the fuck is going on here. I've got two murders in less than a week's time, with both suspects telling the same wild-ass story."

"What do we know about the victim?"

"He was the on-duty manager here at Book World."

"And did…"

"Nicole."

"Did Nicole know him?"

"Claims she didn't."

"Witnesses?"

"She shot him in the middle of a fucking bookstore, Wise, so what do you think?"

"All right. How many?"

"At least a dozen."

"What do they say happened?" Fletcher said.

"By the sound of it, Ms. Henricks walked in the store, spent a little time in the family bathroom, then walked up to Hank and shot him. Though, just like the other one, she claims she didn't shoot him."

"Did she try to run?"

"One of the witnesses—a big guy, six foot five and two-twenty if you ask me—was standing a few feet away and tackled her when she started backing away. He held her on the ground until the first officers arrived.

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