Overturned Ruling and Death by Patti Larsen

Author:Patti Larsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patti Larsen Books

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Chapter Fifteen

I know, I know. It wasn’t like something dramatic was going to leap out at me when I walked into that hotel room or anything. I was pretty sure the cops had been through and there was an excellent chance I’d be out of luck regardless of my need to examine Rose’s room. But there was a euphoria that gripped me as I got back to doing what I did best that not only lifted my spirits, it seemed to increase my energy and shove back the physical symptoms of my pregnancy that had been plaguing me for months.

Doing what you love really changed everything, I guess.

Carrie really had her work cut out for her as far as I was concerned, the snobby ex-bed and breakfast owner in me taking in the ancient wallpaper, the faint lingering scent of old tobacco smoke likely deeply embedded in the walls, yellowed ceiling tiles and gross green carpet that might have once been blue. I did my best to ignore all of that, instead focusing on the details of Rose’s occupancy.

The open suitcase on the first double bed closest to the door lured me closer for a careful inspection. Wouldn’t you know? I had a pair of latex gloves in my pocket, imagine that. Hands covered and evidence protected, I picked my way through the dead woman’s things with precision and focus, even unzipping the lining of the suitcase itself to check for hidden items.

Aside from some loose change and breath mints, I turned up nothing out of the ordinary, Rose’s clothing ruffled from a previous search or two, and the suitcase itself looking new and without any secrets I could uncover. Next up, I stripped the bed she’d obviously slept in, surprised the police hadn’t gone that far, examining the sheets and pillowcases, the coverlet and then the mattress itself.

All of this had me panting a bit and sweating all over again, but I didn’t begrudge the energy expenditure. It was all part of the job and honestly, I was so happy to be back to work I would have carried on no matter what. As it happened, my nosiness paid off. As I bent to pull out the drawer of the bedside table, a slight indent in the mattress caught my eye. I immediately stuck my gloved hand between it and the box spring, fingers encountering something hard. When I pulled it out, my heart sang.

A cellphone.

Well, now.

Again, how the cops missed it, I had no idea, and I was going to give Mallory a good talking to about the level of training his men and women in uniform had, not to mention their attention to detail. And if Travis Ripley had been here, I’d be warning Penny she might need a new forensics tech because he was clearly lacking. On the other hand, you can imagine my utter delight and near ecstasy as I clutched the phone and pumped my left fist in the air in victory before clicking the button on the side and waking it.

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