Trick Roller by Cordelia Kingsbridge

Author:Cordelia Kingsbridge [Kingsbridge, Cordelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Published: 2017-12-27T05:00:00+00:00

“Obviously there’s no way for them to tell if a single knife is missing,” Martine said over the phone. “But the Food and Beverage Manager confirmed that the steak knife found at the Walsh scene is one of a design manufactured exclusively for the Mirage’s use in several of their restaurants as well as room service.”

Levi paced back and forth outside of Pantry. “Room service, of course. It would have been easy for the killer to stash a knife in their room and then slip it up their sleeve when they went to visit Walsh.”

“If we had any doubts that Walsh and Hensley’s murders are connected, they’re gone now.”

“Why leave the knife behind, though? They were so careful with the first scene.”

“I think you were right about why the killer threw up after they murdered Walsh,” she said. “They must have gotten flustered and either forgot the knife or didn’t consider that we’d link it to the Mirage. They also didn’t think to shut down his computer. We got lucky that the experience of stabbing someone unnerved them so much.”

“Well, I just finished up with Dr. Kapoor.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going to head back to the substation, triple-check alibis and follow up with forensics on the Walsh scene. There must be something we’re missing.”

“All right. I’ll see you there.”

Levi hung up and started for the lobby. He and Martine had driven here together in her car, but it would be no problem to catch a quick taxi back. The Mirage was only four miles away from the substation, a straight shot down the Strip—or the parallel Las Vegas Freeway, which would probably be faster.

As he walked through the casino floor and passed the aptly named Center Bar in the middle, one of the patrons caught his eye. Pale, gangly Craig Warner was slumped on a stool, both elbows on the bar while he nursed an enormous drink. Levi hadn’t been able to find him all morning; this explained why. By the looks of things, the cocktail in his hand wasn’t his first of the day.

Joining him at the bar, Levi said, “Little early for a Mai Tai, isn’t it?”

Warner blinked at him blearily, seeming not to recognize him right away. “Not in Las Vegas.”

Good point. Levi sat on the stool next to him and waved off the approaching bartender.

“You know, I’m supposed to be in a lecture on managing geriatric delirium right now,” Warner said. He guzzled his drink noisily through his straw.

“Mind if I ask what you’re doing here instead?”

Warner didn’t answer immediately. He was gripping his glass with both hands like somebody might take it away if he let go for even a moment.

“I’m glad Hensley’s dead,” he said.

He was clearly gearing up to say more, so Levi waited without comment.

“When Dr. Kapoor told me the news on Sunday, the first thing I felt—the very first thing—was relief.” Warner closed his eyes. “I guess I’m having trouble dealing with that.”

“I understand Dr. Hensley was difficult to work with,” Levi said carefully.

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