Ariana Overton The Devil is in the Details

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Quigley slowly turned his gaze back to Jake and the look of insolence turned into
one of respect. He cleared his throat before taking up his report again. That killing was
one of several the authorities dubbed straight gay killings. The truth is, nobody bothered
to follow any of them up enough to find the links between them. And, there were a few.
He cleared his throat again, reached for a cigarette, stopped and took a deep breath.
Look, it would be easier if I just gave you a typed report. He jerked a nail-bitten thumb
toward the two young detectives and added, With those two in the room, I d rather be
out on the streets socializing with pimps and drug dealers. Besides, I need a smoke. He
unraveled his tall body from the uncomfortable chair and stood up. Heading toward the
door, Quigley hesitated and turned to deliver one final shot to the three of them. You
may not like it, but the Feds, and the local cops, shoved this one under the rug. If they
hadn t, you d probably have this guy by now. With that bullet of criticism ricocheting
around the room, Quigley quickly ducked out the door and was gone before Jake or the
others could respond.
Cameron recovered first. He glanced at the unnatural calm on Jake s face then the
hardened anger on Brian s before speaking. Do you think these killings are being done
by a homo boss? Are we looking in the wrong place maybe? His Australian accent,
combined with genuine puzzlement, combined to sound like a cartoon character. Only,
this time, not one of them laughed.
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Jake ignored the questions. Follow up on this. Check with the gay community
and verify what he just said. Also, get the records on that Southern Belle killing he
mentioned. If there s a connection, we ll find it. Now, get to it, Jake ordered.
Brian and Cameron stood to leave. Cameron opened to door then hesitated and
looked over his shoulder when he noticed his partner wasn t leaving just yet. Brian edged
up to the desk, looking down at Jake with a set look to his face. I d like to follow up on
something else if it s okay with you Jake. Cam can easily handle the rest.
Jake scanned the younger man s face, debating whether or not to keep the two of
them together or let each go his own way on this investigation. The look in Brian s eyes
warned him that the man had something personal going on. Jake decided to let it go& for
now. Okay, Brian, you follow up this hunch of yours. When Brian opened his mouth to
speak, Jake held up a hand. Look, if you don t want to tell me, it s okay. Hell, whatever
works is okay with me right about now. His gaze hardened a bit when he added, But I
do expect you to bring whatever you find to me and not keep it to yourself God knows,
we ve got too much of that going on as it is.
Huh? Brian looked confused at the comment.
One word; Russell, Jake responded with disgust.
Oh, I got ya. Okay. Well, no problem. I ll meet you later today here or, if you re
gone for the day, I ll come to your place. Brian turned, ignored the quizzical look on
Cameron s face and went out the door without another comment.
Cameron shrugged and followed him out the door, closing it as he left.
Jake stared at the glossy photos of each crime scene that littered one wall over a
filing cabinet. He bit his lip, nodded silently then stood and systematically took each
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photograph off the wall. He carefully put them into a large manila envelope and placed it
inside his briefcase. Then he opened the file cabinet and pulled several files out, then
added them to the pile in his case.
Jake took the back door out of the building and climbed into the Cougar. He
jumped on to Highway101, opened up the car s 302 engine, letting the 4-barrel Holley
carburetor and Ram Air scoop have it s way with the racing engine and headed south
toward San Francisco, hoping to catch Marti at her office.
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS - Ariana Overton
79
CHAPTER SIX
December 26th
11:40 A.M.
The William Robert Nelson building, although close to San Francisco s
downtown area, boasted a panoramic view of the Bay Bridge, many miles away. Marti s
office, on the top floor corner, was laid out to showcase a huge bay window looking out
toward the bay. The view looked more like a big 3D picture than the real thing. Her desk,
situated in front of the window, gave Marti the feeling of floating in outer space,
unanchored and vulnerable with too much space around her.
Every time I walk into this office I promise myself I ll move this damned desk!
Marti threw a paperclip she was playing with down on the desktop. It skittered across the
empty space and vaulted onto the thick, blue carpet, stopping its course abruptly into the
thick pile.
Damn it William will you please hurry up? I want to get out of here.
Marti s fingers tapped an unending tattoo on the wooden desktop. Her foot
twitched, wanting to jerk up and down, her lip was raw from rubbing it over her front
teeth. When Jake knocked on the door and poked his head in, she jumped up like a rubber
band was attached to her legs. Jake! Come in. Come in. I m so glad you re here. Can I
get you some coffee? Tea? Sit down. She hugged him tightly, reluctant to let him go
right away.
Pulling away from her, Jake held her at a distance by her forearms. What is this
all about, Marti? Why are you so wound up? His face showed consternation at this
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS - Ariana Overton
80
strange behavior. Not that I object to all this attention. His lopsided grin lit up his face
and then changed just as swiftly to concern again. What is it, Marti?
Dropping her arms she shrugged. I m just jumpy. Don t ask me why because I
have no idea. I think it s because I didn t sleep well last night and William is after me to
make up my mind about the partnership he s offered. When he frowned, she quickly
added, Sorry Jake. You don t need to hear all this garbage.
So, old upper crust Billy Bob has finally pissed you off, huh? Jake grinned at
her. It s about time, he added with a smirk.
This time, Marti frowned at him and replied with mock seriousness, You d better
not let him hear you calling him that. Anything less than Doctor William Robert Nelson
is not tolerated in this office. She giggled. Hell, even his desk nameplate has the entire
name on it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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