Texas Law--Serial Manhunt by Jennifer D. Bokal

Author:Jennifer D. Bokal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-15T13:46:18+00:00

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The cramped apartment building was in a part of San Antonio that Michael rarely visited. He found a spot on the street and parked his car. To the left, windows of a former laundromat were covered in grime on the outside and faded newspaper on the inside. A convenience store sat on the corner. An illuminated Open sign shone from a window covered with bars.

Thick clouds blocked out the sun, leaching the world of colors. Sage alone stood out. Her hair was gold. Her lips were pink. Her eyes were the same color as dark chocolate. His fingers itched with the need to touch her cheek. With an exhale, he ran his hand over the gearshift.

Looking out the window, she said, “I get that this is where the podcaster lives. But what are we doing here? What do you want to accomplish?”

“I need to find out where he got his information. If there’s a leak at the hospital, or any place else, I need to know.”

“You really think he’s going to tell us?” Sage asked, her tone incredulous.

“He won’t unless we ask him,” said Michael. “You can stay here if you want.”

She shook her head. “If he knows something about what happened to Josie, I want to go with you.”

After pushing the ignition button, the electric engine whispered into stillness. Michael opened his car door as Sage opened hers. They stepped into the gray afternoon. “Smells like rain,” said Michael as they approached the apartment building.

“Maybe,” said Sage. “All I can smell is garbage.”

He sniffed the air. Perhaps there was a little bit of a stench in the street. “Smells like the city to me.”

“Exactly,” said Sage. “Mercy’s not a perfect place. At least it smells of earth and sky—just like God intended. Not like this.”

An argument about city life versus living in the country would waste time he didn’t have. So, he kept his comments to himself. Pointing to a brick apartment building, he said, “This is it.” They climbed the set of four steps that led to the entrance.

At one time, the door leading to the apartment building had a lock. Now, there was only a large hole in the wood. He pulled on the handle and the door opened. Sage crossed the threshold and he followed.

A small foyer was made up of cracked tile. The ground floor had three units on each side of a narrow hallway and a set of stairs that led up. The apartments were organized alphanumerically. 1-A through 1-F.

“Which unit belongs to Quinton?”

Sage had the address on her phone. She glanced at the screen. “Three-E. Third floor.” She started to climb the stairs. Michael followed. On the third-floor landing, she stopped. Mouth and nose covered by the back of her hand; Sage gagged. “What the hell is that stench? It’s worse than an unmucked stall in the middle of July.”

Michael could smell it too. It was a familiar and unpleasant scent that made his skin crawl. “It’s blood and bile.” He paused.

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