Diana (5 page)

"Good possibility. Officer Guido, did you question the park security and find out what time they last passed this area of the park?” Diana said.

"Yes, Detective. They said when they came by here the lights were working fine."

"Are they on a routine schedule, or do they mix up the times they check each location of the park?"

"I don't think they mix it up. The two security officers are over there.” Officer Guido pointed at two men wearing security uniforms.

Diana noticed they were overweight and slovenly. She had a bad feeling, but before she assumed the worst she went over to question them herself. Jerry followed close behind.

"My name is Detective Pellino, and this is my partner, Detective Montoff. We'd like to ask you a few questions."

The two park security officers gave her the once over. Heat ran through her body.

"Do you two always work this shift?"

"Sure do,
Detective
,” a security officer identified as Gentry said, then licked his lips. He emphasized the word ‘detective’ as he seemingly undressed her with his eyes.

"You never change your routine or the time you pass each location?"

Gentry appeared to know exactly what Diana was getting at and intentionally showed disrespect.

"I like for everyone to know where I am at all times, so it's easy for them to find me. You can stop by any time you like, Detective Pellino, any time.” Again, he licked his lips, but this time he stepped toward her, as if he would caress her arm or something.

Diana could not stop her next move if she tried.

There was no media or brass in sight, not that she gave a shit, anyway. She poked her finger into Gentry's chest hard, nearly knocking him off balance as she took a step closer.

"Let me give you a clue, Gentry.” She eyed him from head to toe and smirked. “By you and your partner not mixing up your routine, or the times you patrol certain areas of this park, you hold some responsibility in this young woman's murder."

"Hey, wait one minute. We can't be everywhere all the time. Do you have any idea, pretty lady, how big this place is? It's a lot of responsibility.” He arrogantly pointed his chin out toward her, as well as his large gut.

She was losing her patience. “Do you patrol this area the same time each night?"

"Maybe we do and maybe we don't,” he said, sounding smug. He looked away from her and showing absolutely no respect.

"I asked you a question."

Gentry stared at her. “I ain't the detective. That's your job.” He blew her a kiss.

Diana was about to step forward when Jerry grabbed her arm. She pushed it away and stared at Gentry.

"You're right, you ‘ain't’ the detective. You're a loser, and you have to live with your conscience knowing that you could've prevented a murder today just by doing your job. Now, answer the damn question or I'll lock you up for interfering in a police investigation and non-compliance. Acting like an asshole to a homicide detective will get you preferential treatment in the holding cell at the department.” Diana stood confident.

Gentry cursed, then directed his attention to Jerry. “Can she do that? What she said?"

Jerry smirked. “You wanna find out, don't answer her questions."

"We make our own schedules.” He gave Diana a dirty look.

She looked back at him, giving him the once over as he'd given her. “A little reality check for you, Gentry. When women say they love a man in uniform, they're not referring to the ones whose bellies overlap their belts."

She turned away and walked to the crime scene along with Jerry and Officer Guido, who were smirking.

Diana looked at her partner. “What?"

"Your temper, Pellino. I thought you were going to knock him on his ass."

"He asked for it."

"Yeah, but the combination of your Ginny attitude and your Irish temper makes all hell break loose."

"I was fine, Jerry."

She caught his gaze and couldn't help but think it would've helped if her partner spoke up sooner. Instead, he stood in the background, as usual. She shook the thoughts from her head and focused on the investigation.

An hour later, Diana and Jerry knew the victim's name and address. Barbara Agular shared an apartment with three other Ecuadorian women. The apartment was located around the corner from the crime scene. Diana felt that the killer knew the victim before striking. Now she had to back her theory up with facts.

"So what are you thinking?” Jerry asked her. They stood by her desk, back at the police department.

"Her roommates didn't seem like they gave two shits about Barbara. The girl worked in a department store and walked eight blocks to and from work every day. Her wallet was found on her at the crime scene."

"With four bucks in it. There's no way our killer was just a mugger."

"Our killer didn't even bother to stage anything. He or she didn't take the money and leave the wallet, trying to throw us off. They didn't sexually assault our victim, or even beat her up. You know, knock her around a bit."

"Yeah, I hear you. Instead, the S.O.B. broke her freaking neck."

"Let's see what the coroner comes up with. We'll take a ride downtown, and then head over to the department store she worked at."

"Sounds good."

"Montoff, Pellino, my office, please,” Homicide Commander Paul Fontella called out.

They made their way into his office and closed the door behind them.

"Where are you two in this latest case of yours?"

"Just getting started. We were about to head downtown to the ME's office, then to the victim's place of employment,” Diana said.

"We may have a small problem. It seems the press is interested in this homicide because some knucklehead leaked the information about the 911 call."

"That's ridiculous. Anyone could have made that call,” Jerry said.

"Let's hope we don't get anymore calls like that. Maybe the press will sniff out something else. Just be on guard, and be careful who you discuss the case with."

"Always, sir.” Diana rose from the chair. She and Jerry started walking to the door.

"Pellino!” Jerry continued out of the office while Diana walked back toward the lieutenant's desk.

"How are you doing? You all rested up?"

"I'm doing good, sir. Thanks for asking."

"You look good. You got a little sun, I see.” He smiled.

"Yes, sir. It may be the only time this summer I ever get to step foot on the beach."

The lieutenant laughed.

"Let's hope not. Keep me updated, will ya?"

"Yes, sir. We'll see ya later."

Diana left the office.

She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, as she headed toward the exit door to meet Jerry. The lieutenant had been extra nice to her lately. Not that he was a mean guy or anything like that, but he was serious. On his watch, everyone had better do his or her job or there would be hell to pay.

Since the Montoya chase and arrest, he'd been acting funny, taking extra notice of her and showing interest.

"Pellino, come on, let's get a move on it,” Jerry called to her.

Twenty minutes later, they were at the medical examiner's office, going through the autopsy with the coroner.

Jerry and Diana covered their mouths with the masks to minimize the smell, as Dr. Rob Barkley went over their findings.

Diana moved closer to the examining table.

"What do you think, Bob?"

"Well, from a quick, first glance at this victim, in my opinion, Michelle Agular died as a result of a neck fracture. The other injuries associated with this victim include crushing of the spine, cervical spine, and scapula.” He indicated his findings, pointing to the crushed bones beneath the victim's skin.

Jerry released a loud sigh.

"So, Doc, the perpetrator..."

"Has to be a large male. He most likely grabbed her from behind, pushed his knee and shin against her spine, and then twisted her neck, breaking it. The cervical spine is shattered."

"Jesus. What about the scapula? You said it was broken?” Diana said.

"Cracked right through. I'm guessing, by the length and width of these bruises on the skin, down the center of her back, he's over 6 ft tall and heavy set."

Diana listened as Dr Barkley continued with the autopsy and filled them in on his evaluation. When he was done, she watched as he removed his gloves.

"Thanks a lot, Doc. I know you're all tied up. You can give us a call after the full autopsy and your evaluation is complete."

Jerry was almost at the exit door.

Dr. Barkley's hand touched her upper arm. “You know I always try my hardest to get you some quick information to work with. All you have to do is just call me.” He smiled, then winked.

"I appreciate that, Doc. You have a nice day.” He let go of Diana's arm.

"Happy hunting."

She left the room and removed the mask.

"The doc's got the hots for you,” Jerry teased, laughing.

"Cool it."

Diana walked quickly down the corridor. She couldn't wait to get a breath of fresh air. They signed the log by the front desk, then headed upstairs and out the front door.

"I don't know why you don't jump on that. He ain't a cop, and he ain't no firefighter, so what's the deal?"

"I'm not attracted to him, and I never said anything about not dating cops or firemen.” She shot him a sideways glance.

"Bullshit! If you even smell a cop or a firefighter you're minutely attracted to you run for the hills."

"I do not! I have no problem dating either, just not from this area."

"What's wrong with the doc, aside from the fact he carves people up for a living?” Jerry shivered.

"Nothing is wrong with Rob. He's a really nice guy, but..."

She eyed Jerry. He stood near their unmarked police car, arms folded in front of his chest. It was obvious he challenged her.

"Did you bump into my mom again? Is she trying to get you to set me up with someone? God damn it!” Diana cursed, shaking her head before entering the passenger's side of the car.

Jerry got in and started the ignition. He was still laughing.

"Hey, the last thing I want to do is piss you off. We're partners, right? We can talk about this shit?"

"No, we can't because you suck at relationships."

"Hey, you pointed out Officer Big Ass the other day and how she was eyeing me, rolling her tongue, touching herself. Did I flip out on you?"

She started laughing just thinking about the scene. Pailena Martinez was infatuated with Jerry.

"Hey, she's a nice woman. I think you two would have fun together."

This time, Jerry looked at her sideways.

"Are you kidding me? Look at me. I care about my physical appearance. My body is a temple, baby."

"Well, Pailena wants to honor your body and you like big butts."

Jerry shook his head. There was no denying it.

"She reads erotica, you know?” Diana winked and Jerry blushed, grinning.

He looked in the rearview mirror and headed out of the parking lot.

"Ahh, that quieted you down."

"She's not bad, I guess."

Diana laughed. Jerry was a bit overweight but he tried really hard to maintain himself. He blamed his physical ailment, as he liked to call it, on family genetics. Most of his family was overweight.

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Luke Fontella walked through the office, giving non-committal hellos to those who acknowledged his presence. All he wanted to do was get into his office and have some quiet time alone. His head pounded and his eyes burned. His senses were in overdrive, from the time he entered the smoldering building until this afternoon. His instincts told him the cause of the fire was arson, but he knew he needed solid evidence.

Luke took excellent notes. He even had extra notes for his first notes, which came in handy during trials. It was important to follow procedure at a crime scene accordingly, and to remember every detail as if it were only yesterday. This was a definite asset in his line of business. Sometimes, building a criminal case took years, and he needed to have little clues to remind him specifically about each investigation he did. After all, he didn't want to look like a complete idiot on the stand in front of a jury.

Sitting in traffic, after leaving the fire scene downtown, just added to his headache. He reached into his drawer and pulled out the bottle of ibuprofen. He popped two into his mouth and swallowed them dry.

He was in his office only two minutes when the phone on his desk rang. Sighing, he reached for it.

"Fontella.” He leaned back against the chair.

"You just get in?” his father said.

He hated to hear from his dad. They always wound up fighting. It wasn't his intent, but they just weren't close anymore."

"Yeah, I'm real busy, so if you don't mind?” Luke said.

"Damn it, Luke, wait.” He sighed. “Listen, I didn't call to bother you. I just wanted to let you know that the family is having a sixtieth birthday party for Aunt Jane. She would love it if you attended."

"No, Dad. I'm not going."

"But, son..."

"Don't ‘son’ me,” Luke snapped. He was exhausted from investigating another fire and being out all night. “I gotta go, Dad."

"Wait, Luke. It would be nice if you showed up. The whole family is going to be there, as well as some friends. I know you received the invitation. Just think about it. I hope to see you there. I haven't seen you in a while and it would be nice to catch up."

"I gotta go, Dad. Later.” He hung up the phone.

Luke glanced down at the invitation he'd push pinned against the bulletin board.

It would've been nice to see some of the other family, and some old friends, if the circumstances had been different. But, they weren't. His aunt Jane was a self-centered woman who didn't care about anyone but herself. When his mother, her own sister, was sick and dying, Aunt Jane did nothing to console her. Let alone anything to assist him. He was thirteen years old, going through so many changes. It was such a confusing time and age to begin with, never mind dealing with a dying parent.