Vicious (9 page)

“On it, Chief,” Lori said.

Before the detective could ask the question Jess knew would be next, she went on, “Officer Cook and I are going to the ME’s office to see what Dr. Baron has for us.” Probably not very much but anything would be better than nothing. And that was what they had right now, a little speculation and a whole lot of nothing.

“I’d like to accompany you, Chief,” Hayes piped up.

He was standing right there and still she’d forgotten to include him. Where was her mind? “That’s a good idea, Lieutenant. Go back to the office and let Cook know we’re heading out. I’ll be right there.”

When Hayes was on his way, Lori said, “I did some follow up on Ellis’s background and found some interesting facts from his past.”

“In this country or another?” Something about the man bothered Jess. Whatever it was, he’d camouflaged it too well for her to get a handle on it, but it was there. The way he balanced his rough edges with all that elegance didn’t ring true. Twenty years in Europe certainly would have influenced his speech, and possibly his overall manner. Maybe that was what she was picking up on.

“This one,” Lori clarified. “He had a friend whose older sister was murdered by her father who then turned the gun on himself. Ellis was visiting the friend and apparently saw the whole thing. The mother of the murdered girl insisted she had no idea why her husband would have done such a thing. But one reporter maintained throughout the investigation that there was a cover up.”

“Is the reporter still alive?” If so, Jess wanted to speak to him.

“He died a few years ago.”

“What about the mother?”

“She still lives in the family home in Boston with her son.”

A trip to Boston might be in order. The image of Spears elbowed its way into her thoughts. Not that she was going anywhere, but she could send Harper. The outrage that had camped at the base of her skull started to tighten her muscles, making her want to scream. Spears had her right where he wanted her. She was virtually his prisoner. She couldn’t go to her apartment. She couldn’t go anywhere alone.

Take a breath. Focus on the case
.

“Keep digging. The tragedy in Ellis’s past might not be connected—he may have nothing to do with these murders, but at least one of our victims was close to him. We need to know all we can about him if for no other reason than to eliminate him as a suspect. Find out what he did with these
Old Masters
in Europe.”

“Will do.” Lori glanced down the corridor and then grinned. “I guess you like Clint.”

“He’s motivated,” Jess said, “I’ll give him that much. As long as he works hard and fits in with our team, I’m happy.” A frown creased her brow. “I was surprised he just showed up at the office. I guess he wanted a transfer badly enough to keep tabs on the comings and goings of department personnel.”

Lori made a face. “Probably. He’s been pretty unhappy for a while.”

“Well.” Jess hefted the straps of her bag higher onto her shoulder.
Was it her imagination or was it heavier today?
“Maybe SPU will be able to change that for him. He agreed to a probationary period to see how things work out.”

“He’s a good guy,” Lori said, almost to herself.

Jess started not to ask but her curiosity got the better of her. “Did the two of you have a… thing?”

Surprise, then amusement sparkled in Lori’s green eyes. “We’ll talk about that sometime. Over a margarita.” She glanced past Jess to the interview room. “I should give Harper a hand.”

Jess hoped they could have that chat without the margaritas otherwise they would be waiting about seven months or so.

As she headed to her office, she wondered if Clint Hayes had ever attended an autopsy. She would soon know if he had the stomach for the business of murder.

Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, 3:15 p.m.

“This took some patience,” Dr. Sylvia Baron said as she surveyed first Lisa Templeton’s body and then Alicia Burgess’s.

To her utter frustration, Jess’s stomach had started that annoying churning again. She breathed through her mouth and prayed she would get through the next few minutes.

Okay
. Baron mentioned patience.
Focus, Jess
.

She couldn’t argue the point the ME made, but patience wasn’t a word Jess would have used when describing this killer’s work. Vicious and relentlessness was more what she’d call it. The evil that committed violence this savage against another human was determined to accomplish some goal only he understood. The real question was: what was his or her motive?

“Both women were intoxicated based on the alcohol levels in the vitreous humor,” Sylvia continued. “I won’t have the full tox screen results for a day or two. No traces of semen or male pubic hair. Neither had eaten for several hours prior to their death. No other health issues so far.” She gestured to the damaged torsos. “The wounds on both bodies are consistent with the hand tools found at the scene.”

“Has your estimate on time of death changed for either victim?”

Sylvia met Jess’s gaze. “Are you asking me which one I believe died first?”

“If one killer did this,” Jess wasn’t convinced that was the case, “one victim had to die first. If not, we may be looking at two killers working in concert.” The sheer number of prints, however smeared and possibly unreadable, seemed to indicate more than one killer. When Jess had more evidence back from the crime scene unit she might be able to make that call, but not yet.

“If I had to pinpoint TOD that precisely—unofficially, of course—I would say Burgess died first. But it’s too close to call. We’re talking four or five minutes max between the murders. I can tell you that after a close examination of the wounds inflicted, if two killers were involved, they’re both right handed.”

It wasn’t much, but it was a starting place. The killer or killers were right handed and wore about a size seven shoe.
It was a beginning
.

“If,” Jess moved back to the timing, “Burgess died first, that would mean Templeton watched the woman she loved be murdered.” Holding her breath, Jess leaned down to study the woman’s wrists with the aid of the bright lights. The lighting at the scene had been less than optimal. “And yet there’s no indication she fought her restraints.” Jess straightened away from the body and dared to breathe. “Was she that intoxicated?”

Sylvia considered the question for a moment. “Not in my opinion. I have a scenario I’m working on, but what are you thinking?”

“That both victims were unable to struggle,” Jess suggested. “Burgess didn’t fight her restraints as the belt tightened around her throat. Templeton didn’t react physically while her lover was being murdered or when it was her turn. How could you have an object pushed that far down your throat and not fight back? Any bite marks on the,” Jess shrugged, “object?”

“You mean the neon pink dildo?”

Jess rolled her eyes. Couldn’t Sylvia just answer the question? Hayes cleared his throat and stared at the floor. Cook shifted from foot to foot but didn’t take his eyes off the pretty medical examiner.

Sylvia surveyed her audience. “Is there a problem, gentlemen? We’re all adults here. Professionals. A woman has needs, and sometimes she has to get creative to fill those needs.”

Hands in his pockets, Hayes rocked back on his heels as if he might have several pertinent responses for the ME’s comment. Cook, however, just stared at Sylvia. Maybe stared wasn’t the right word. He gawked like a teenage boy who’d never seen a naked woman before.

The trouble was, Sylvia was fully dressed in one of those sleek, stylish sheaths she always wore beneath her lab coat. She looked like a million bucks and Jess imagined that Cook was enthralled. But this wasn’t his first visit to the coroner’s office. Why was he suddenly infatuated with the ME? Most cops were ready to clear the room when they heard her coming. Or maybe it was the talk of sex toys. Jess certainly hadn’t taken Cook for a guy so easily flustered.

“Is that a yes or a no?” Jess asked, hoping to maneuver the conversation back on track. She needed fresh air… soon.

“No teeth marks,” Sylvia confirmed. “She deep throated without resistance.”

If a pin had dropped, the sound of it hitting the floor would have boomed like an explosion.

“So it’s possible both victims were paralyzed,” Jess proposed, her patience thinning. “They may have been aware of what was happening on some level but unable to struggle?”

“That’s my thinking,” Sylvia said. “I’m looking for drugs in that category. Most of the date rape drugs are hard to detect, but if one was used, I’ll find it.”

“He wanted them to see death coming,” Lieutenant Hayes chimed in.

The deep sound of his voice startled Jess. She had to keep reminding herself they had a new man on the team. She was glad he hadn’t taken one look at the two dissected bodies and made a run for the nearest sink.

“Or she,” Jess countered. “Either way, the killer knew the victims and wanted them to suffer as much horror as possible before they died.”

Cook stepped forward, pausing closer to Sylvia than to Jess. “We may be looking for a former lover.”

“Bad choices can certainly come back to haunt us,” Sylvia agreed.

The way Cook watched Sylvia as she spoke clarified the situation for Jess. The much younger man was smitten with the sophisticated ME. Jess needed to have a talk with him. He was on the verge of biting off way more than he could chew. Sylvia Baron was way, way, way out of his league.

“Officer Cook, drop by the lab and give them a push,” Jess said, breaking the awkward silence. “We need whatever new evidence they may have discovered.”

He snapped out of his lust coma. “Yes, ma’am.”

He took one last lingering gaze at Sylvia before stumbling off. The ME smiled. When she turned to Jess, her face was a little flushed. For Pete’s sake, was she actually interested in Cook or just flattered? Sylvia should have learned her lesson about relationships with cops after the unpleasant split with her ex. Jess did a mental double take. Didn’t say a lot for her and Dan rushing back into that minefield. But, then again, they had extenuating circumstances.

Don’t go there, Jess
.

Sylvia turned off the spotlights over the bodies. “I see you have a new shadow, Harris. Is this your bodyguard?” She sized up Hayes, her approval written all over her line free face.

Had the ME had Botox injections?
Next time Sylvia was in friend mode, Jess intended to ask her. She resisted the urge to reach up and smooth her own lined brow with the back of her fingers. Getting old was no fun. She was going to be really old by the time this child graduated college. That rolling in her stomach took an extra deep dip.

“Harris?” Sylvia repeated. “I was asking about this tall, dark and silent type you brought along.”

Jess gave herself a mental kick for getting distracted. The distraction was immediately replaced by frustration. “He is not a bodyguard.” What was with all the flirting? Maybe Sylvia Baron needed a man in her life. Before Jess stuck her foot in her mouth and said as much, she reminded herself of all the things
she
needed. Like a baby carriage.
Oh God
.

Jess wished her mouth weren’t suddenly so dry. “This is Lieutenant Hayes. He joined SPU today.”

Stripping off her gloves with far more fanfare than usual, Sylvia said, “Aren’t you lucky to land a spot on the department’s new dream team, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, ma’am. Very lucky.” That smoky voice of his oozed with charm.

Men
.
They were all alike
. Or maybe Hayes always used a suave tone when speaking to women. Maybe old habits were hard to break.

“You know your new boss has a fan club.” Sylvia tossed her gloves. “You should watch your back, Hayes. One of the world’s foremost serial killers is her biggest fan. His followers are always watching her.”

“So I’ve heard.” Hayes moved to Jess’s side. “I’m a dedicated fan of Chief Harris myself. Those with the wrong intentions should be forewarned, Dr. Baron. I am very, very good at handling trouble.”

Jess didn’t know about Sylvia, but she was impressed. No matter how he’d worked his way through college, she liked this guy.

“I’m glad to hear that, Lieutenant,” Sylvia announced. “Harris is growing on me. I’d hate to see anything bad happen to her.”

So maybe they were friends. Jess was weary of trying to figure it out.

“You have my word. The chief is in good hands.” Hayes flashed a smile even Jess had to admit was more than a little appealing.

This meeting had gone way, way off course and Jess was ready to be out of here. “Call me if you can find the drug the killer used, Dr. Baron.”

“The screenings may take a while, but I’ll let you know as soon as I find it.”

Jess thanked the ME and headed for the door. If she hurried, she might just get out of here before it was too late. Which only reminded her that she needed to pick up a couple more pregnancy tests to ensure the first one wasn’t a false positive. Just because there was only a minute chance of a false positive didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

Yeah right
.

The truth was she needed confirmation for her own peace of mind.

She thought of all the unanswered questions in this case and decided her peace of mind would have to wait. First, she needed a second look at the crime scene. Things always looked a little different in the light of day. She glanced at the man next to her. A new perspective couldn’t hurt either.

“Lieutenant, I’d like to have another look at the scene before calling it a day.” She hesitated at the building’s main exit, ignored the scrub-clad tech that hurried out around her. “Give you a chance to share what
you
see.”

Hayes stepped past Jess, pushed through the exit and surveyed the parking area before holding the door open for her to follow. “Is this a test, Chief?”

She gifted him with a smile. “Nothing you can’t handle, Lieutenant.”

Raleigh Avenue, Homewood, 5:05 p.m.

As soon as he parked, Jess wasn’t surprised the lieutenant rushed around to open the car door for her. He was on a mission to keep her impressed.