Benedicto gazed at him askance, not believing him for a minute yet still wondering.
“I have a question for you. Was there anything missing from Milly’s bedroom that should have been there?”
Benedicto paused to consider, then angled his eyes up at Jack and smiled. “Maybe she liked sleeping in the altogether.”
“In the altogether, yes. But she always covered herself, even in summer, cold-blooded as a reptile.”
“Describe the item.”
“A quilted comforter. Pink and purple flowers. White background.”
Barely twitching an eyebrow, the detective took in the information before saying, “Confirmed. A pillow sham was left behind.”
“What about matching sheets or pillow cases. Were they marked into evidence? Devlin says no.”
“The bed was stripped.”
“Maybe a stuffed teddy bear?”
“Color?”
Jack grinned before saying, “Just kidding about the teddy bear. I was her teddy bear. Until she tossed me out. What about the mattress? Did you take it in for evidence?”
He nodded.
“Find semen? Or blood?”
He shook his head.
“There was a pattern of brown spatters on the wall, just above the headboard. Was it analyzed?”
“Belonged to the victim.”
“And the bedding? What do you think happened to it? Do you have a theory? Do you even care? I do. The woman who picked me up and the man who killed Milly worked together. Maybe he was at the club and saw her leave. Or came onto her and made a date. Whatever the hook-up, he took her home, drugged her, raped her, and tortured her. Then he wrapped her up in the missing evidence and transported her to my house, there to put her out of her misery. He got rid of the bedding in a dumpster. That’s my theory. What’s yours?”
Benedicto paused to consider. His mustache twitched, but that was all that did. “You’re still guilty as hell.”
“Sadly, our reunion ends.” He jammed the end of the barrel against Benedicto’s side and motioned outside. “Just stay nice and calm. I wouldn’t want any of these fine folks to get hurt.”
“There’s nowhere you can run. Nowhere you can hide.”
“Haven’t you heard? I’ve already taken the fast track to hell.” Jack smiled grimly, climbed out of the car, and melted into the crowd.
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THE END
From the Author
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Thanks so much!
J. S. Chapman
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Cyber Warfare Page 24