Angry murmurs reached Kristen’s ears and she held up her hand to quiet them. „So many times we criticize the police for not crossing all the ‘t’s and dotting the i’s. They are trying to do just that, trying to eliminate those of us who have access to the confidential court records John mentioned. Please cooperate with them when they come talk to you.“
John wearily raised his hand. „For the record, I was interviewed by Spinnelli on Saturday for the same reason. When they ask you your whereabouts, just tell them. Remember, everything you’ve heard is confidential. You are not to discuss it outside this room. You are dismissed.“ He pointed a finger at Kristen. „I need you to stay.“
He waited until everyone had filed out, leaving just the two of them at the table. He dragged his hands down his face and sighed. „How was motion hour this morning?“
Kristen raised her brows, surprised at the question. John never concerned himself with motion hour unless she had a major case, and this morning’s cases were fairly routine. „Strained.“ That was an understatement. The defense crowded at the far end of their table as if her very air space was contaminated. „I managed.“
„You always manage. You aren’t going to like this.“
The hairs rose on Kristen’s neck. „Like what?“
„For what it’s worth, I tried to fight this. I took it as high up on the ladder as I could.“ In his eyes Kristen saw weary resignation and her stomach clenched. „Milt got calls all weekend long, as soon as news of Skinner’s murder broke.“ Milt was John’s boss. His involvement either meant reprimand or raise. Kristen wasn’t naive enough to expect a raise. „You’re on administrative leave until this is all over.“
Kristen froze, unable to believe what she’d heard. „Excuse me?“
John sighed again. „No defense attorney in town wants to appear in the same courtroom with you. They’re all prepared to cite physical danger to themselves and their clients. Milt sees this as one big cause for appeal on any case that involves you. You’re to turn over all your cases as of four p.m. today. We’ll split your workload between the others.“
Kristen sat there, stunned. Unable to utter a word.
John pushed himself to his feet. „I’m sorry, Kristen. I told Milt he was wrong, that this wasn’t fair, but in the end it didn’t matter. I feel responsible for this, but there’s nothing I can do.“ He put a tentative hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She barely felt it. „Consider it a well-earned vacation,“ he said lamely. „No, I guess not.“
A well-earned vacation. The very thought mocked. She rose, keeping her legs steady with the force of sheer will. She would be, as always, in control. „I’ll gather my things.“
„Kristen – “ John reached out a hand and she stepped out of his way. His hand dropped and he sighed once more. „Let me know if you need any help.“
„I won’t.“
Monday, February 23,
1:00 p.m.
Abe hated the smell of the ME’s office. On a good day, it had the antiseptic smell of a hospital. He hated hospitals. On a bad day… Luckily Conti hadn’t been dead long enough to call this a bad day.
„We came as soon as we could, Julia,“ Mia said, walking over to the table where Angelo Conti’s body lay. „What’s up?“
„I wanted you to see this.“ Julia joined them at the table. „Conti’s body was in the worst shape of any of them so far. Your guy didn’t just beat him, he pounded him into hamburger.“
„Medium rare, hold the pickles,“ Mia quipped and Julia’s lips twitched.
„Don’t make me laugh. My ribs are still a little sore from yesterday.“
Abe frowned. „Jacob Conti hurt you that badly?“
Julia gave a facial shrug. „A few bruises. It could have been worse.“
„Yeah, Jack could have ripped off his face.“ Mia looked satisfied at the thought.
Julia’s cheeks colored delicately. „Jack shouldn’t have gone after Conti like that.“
„Well, I’m glad he did,“ Mia said.
After a half beat of hesitation Julia admitted, „So am I.“
„You could have pressed charges,“ Abe said.
„I could have, but the situation seemed inflamed enough as it was, what with that reporter filming every move. He’d just found out his son was dead, for God’s sake.“
„His murdering son,“ Mia muttered. „I wouldn’t waste your tears on him, Julia. Angelo Conti died the same way Paula Garcia died, beaten to death with a tire iron.“
Julia huffed out a sigh. „I suppose your guy does have a way with poetic justice. Well, anyway, take a look at this.“ She rolled the body slightly and pointed to a spot just above the back of Conti’s knee. „It’s faint and incomplete, but better than nothing.“
Abe leaned closer to see, his pulse quickening. „A partial thumbprint.“
Mia met his eyes, hers gleaming. „In Conti’s blood. Nicely done, Julia.“
„The body’s lividity indicates the killer rolled Conti on his side shortly after his death. The blood still would have been wet.“
„He didn’t wear gloves,“ Mia murmured.
Abe felt a spark of excited hope. „He got so carried away he made a mistake.“
„Yeah,“ Julia said with satisfaction. „For the severity of the beating, there was very little blood on the body. He must have known he’d screwed up and tried to clean him off afterward. But after laying Conti on his side, the body contracted up in rigor and this spot behind the knee would have been hidden. He missed it.“
Abe whistled. „We’re lucky the print wasn’t blurred from the leg rubbing against it.“
„That you are. I called Jack to help with the print. He should be here any minute.“
„It’s only a partial,“ Mia cautioned. „We shouldn’t get our hopes up.“
„We won’t.“ Abe took another look at the partial print. „But he’s made a mistake. He’ll make others and that’s how we’ll find him.“
Julia pulled off her gloves. „Good. I want this thing over, for all of our sakes, but especially for Kristen’s. I heard about what happened last night. How is she?“
„Kristen,“ Mia said archly with a side look at Abe.
„seemed fine when I left her. But then I didn’t stay all night.“
Julia looked amused. „But you slept on the couch, right, Abe?“
Abe rolled his eyes. „Yes, I did, actually. It’s a very uncomfortable foldout.“ He had, actually. She’d fallen asleep in his arms as he sat on the edge of her bed. He’d stayed there next to her for a long while, watching her take deep even breaths, wondering if his sudden and intense interest was due to the fact she was the first woman he’d met after a six-year dearth or if he secretly did compare her to Debra. He’d concluded neither was the case, that he was simply acting on the desire of a healthy red-blooded man for a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive woman. Then he’d retired to the relative discomfort of the foldout couch where he’d lain awake well into the night cursing the fact that he was a healthy red-blooded man with a beautiful, intelligent, sexy-as-hell woman in the next room. Stopping after a few morning kisses was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
„Foldouts usually are,“ Julia commented dryly. Then she looked up when the door opened, her face changing from amusement to awareness. „Jack.“
Jack closed the door behind him. „Your message said it was urgent“
„It is.“ Abe pulled on his jacket. „Take care with it, Jack. It’s our best lead so far.“
Monday, February 23,
2:30 P.M.