A Conspiracy of Ravens by Dharma Kelleher

Author:Dharma Kelleher [Kelleher, Dharma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dark Pariah Press

CHAPTER 23

GOT THE T-SHIRT

It was nearly five o’clock when Hardin and Valentine pulled into in Tucson. They would have arrived sooner, but Valentine had insisted on taking the South Mountain Freeway to avoid the congestion of downtown Phoenix. And it would have been a faster route had a truck not jackknifed near the Vee Quiva Casino exit.

As it was, they spent an hour stuck in sweltering traffic before they ever got out of the Valley. When they finally reached Tucson, they checked in with Tucson PD then proceeded through rush hour traffic to the Batfish Theater.

The half-filled lobby contained a bar and a smattering of small tables that looked like they’d been acquired from garage sales or thrift stores.

“We need to speak with the manager,” Hardin said, flashing his badge to the bartender.

The bartender nodded, gave a “follow me” gesture, and led them down a narrow corridor past the closed doors of the auditorium.

A woman with an explosion of bloodred hair sat at a keyboard in a cramped office. The bartender knocked on the already open door then vanished back down the hall toward the barroom.

“Can I help you?” the woman asked in an exasperated tone.

Hardin badged her and introduced himself and his partner. “You the manager?”

“Willa Cohen. What do you want? I’m busy.”

Valentine held out a photo. “We’re looking for this woman, Avery Byrne.”

Cohen gave the photo a cursory glance. “Geez, don’t you people talk to each other?”

“You people?” Hardin cocked his head.

“Two other guys were here earlier looking for her. Though come to think of it, they never actually said they were cops.”

“So, you did see her?” Valentine pressed. “She was here last night.”

“Yeah, her and twelve hundred other people.”

“Don’t get smart with me, lady. This is a murder investigation. We could arrest you for hindering prosecution.”

Hardin put a hand on his partner’s arm and stepped in. “The woman we’re looking for was with the band that performed last night. One of the band members thanked her onstage for doing a tattoo. We could use your help finding her.”

Cohen sat back in her chair and met their gaze. “Okay, yeah, she was running Damaged Souls’ merch table last night.”

“Do you know where the band is staying?”

“You mean, like, which motel? Beats the hell outta me. By now, they’ve probably checked out and headed to the next gig of their tour.”

“They’re on tour?” Hardin raised an eyebrow. “Where’s their next gig?”

Cohen pulled a T-shirt out of a cardboard box and tossed it to Hardin. “Somewhere in New Mexico, I think.”

Hardin examined the shirt. A list of cities had been printed on the back, starting with Phoenix, followed by Tucson, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and more. There were dates listed on the right. “Thanks.”

“Who’d this girl kill anyhow?”

“Her girlfriend,” Valentine replied. “But only after sadistically torturing her for God knows how long.”

“We think,” Hardin added.

“Wow,” Cohen replied. “Didn’t strike me as the type, you know.”

Hardin exchanged a glance with Valentine. “You said two other men were looking for her. Could you describe them?”

“A big Hispanic guy, nearly six foot.

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