Valley of Shadows
Page 41
“Some art from the Tempe festival,” Kelly says with a wary smile.
“Let me pay for it.”
“Absolutely not,” Mills says. “Enough with this nonsense, Trey. Go home. Where the hell is your car?”
The man skulks away. “I’m not allowed to drive because of my meds,” he says. “I walked.”
“Call an Uber,” Mills tells him.
“Goodbye, Trey,” Kelly says.
“It’s not goodbye,” Shinner insists. “I will repay you for all you’ve done. Your enemies should be trembling.”
“Jesus Christ,” Mills mutters.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Kelly says. “He’s a sick man. I tried to get him the help he needs. No one will take him unless he commits himself.”
Shinner is almost at the edge of the lawn when Mills turns and calls to him. “She doesn’t have any enemies, Trey. Just stay away from us.”
Shinner flashes one last smile, this one exposing teeth that hang from his mouth like broken windows. And then singing, “I can’t do that. I can’t do that. I can’t do that,” he skips away into the dusk as if he’s about to join a gang of ghouls who haunt the valley.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I thank my family for their outstanding support of my work. That includes my in-laws, as well. I lucked out on all sides. I’ve lived many places and have met a lot of people; thank you to my friends wherever you are. A special thanks to the Soul Team in Boston and my pals in Phoenix for always giving me the kindest welcome and the loveliest support. My biggest regret is that we don’t have more time to spend face-to-face.
Again, I owe a big thanks to Sergeant Jon Howard and Sergeant Vince Lewis of the Phoenix Police Department. Their input has been a huge help, and they’ve been generous with their time. I extend my gratitude, as well, to Chelsea Janicek, a crime scene specialist at the Phoenix PD for all the details about CSI technique and practice, including the blood and guts. I, alone, am responsible for any mistakes or detours from official police procedures and CSI processes. Thanks to Kim Krigsten and Adam Alperin for helping me find Chelsea.
I’d like to acknowledge the people at Seventh Street Books/Start who have helped bring this book to life, particularly my fantastic editor Dan Mayer. And finally, last but certainly not least, a major thanks to my agent, Ann Collette, for being a great mentor, coach, critic, and friend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven Cooper is the author of Dig Your Grave and Desert Remains. A former investigative reporter, Steven has received multiple Emmy Awards, a national Edward R. Murrow Award, and many honors from the Associated Press. He has lived all over the country and has traveled all over the planet. Currently, Atlanta is home.