Disturb (30 page)

She answered while walking away from him. “‘Course I did.” She turned on him, eyes daring him to suggest otherwise. “You think anyone else in this place’d bother?” She began searching the apartment for Kim, going into the bedroom, seeing a bloody pillow that made her gasp.

“Creep must’ve slipped the cops tickets to the Brave’s game tonight,” he cynically said in her ear.

“I reported them—got their names and badge numbers.”

“Reported them, eh?”

“For doing a half-assed job, yes.”

“And got no answer, I imagine.”

“Heard nothing back. You oughta maybe look into it. Wrongdoing on a police force. Might be a headline in there somewhere.”

“Not my call.”

“Then who’s call is it? Hell, I even called Child Protective Services again.”

“Let me guess. Overworked and underpaid, eh?”

They both heard the bathtub shower kick on. Dr. Holley’s eyes became blue beach balls. “Tell me she’s not in the shower.”

“She’s washing off, and I can’t blame her.”

“You’re a cop! You oughta know better.” She went for the bathroom door, the layout of the apartment a match for her own. “That’s evidence in a crime washing down the drain. If she’s been raped, and I suspect she has—”

“Look, lady … Doctor, I told her to stay out of the shower, only that she could wash her hands and face.”

“But Detective—”

“I’m not a cop anymore, but I’m curious how you knew?”

“I believe everyone in the building knows you’re a cop—or were at one time. Now outta my way.”

He held an index finger to her eyes, slowing her down. “Look, she needed some time alone, and besides, her attacker here is dead, get it? Proving her rape won’t be an issue. She was his hostage, and she fought back.”

“I get that much but—”

“The dead guy’s not going away for anything he’s done, not in this world. Frankly, I’d like to see her spared the inside of a courtroom or a jail.”

“The man’s name’s Quinn, Don Quinn, and all things equal, if Kim’s charged with his murder … ahhh manslaughter, exculpatory … or is it extenuating circumstances?” Katrina hesitated, eyeing the bloody claw hammer beside the victim. “We need to show—”

“Christ, thanks to Law & Order everyone’s an expert nowadays.”

“I’m-this-minute-right-now-damn-it going in to see her.” The doctor might just as well have said: And no one is standing in my way. “Kim’ll recognize me from before. She needs a friend, a woman, and a professional.”

“I suppose you’re right, Doc.”

“That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said since I arrived.” Dr. Holley slammed the bathroom door in his face, cutting him off.

In another half minute, medics came pouring in with a stretcher and life-support. “Too late, my friends,” said Marcus, “but if you wanna shoot me some extra oxygen, I’ll take it.”

Copyright © 2009 by Joe Konrath

Afterword copyright © 2009 by Joe Konrath

Cover art by www.bellbridgebooks.com

Pill – © Comugnero Silvana - Fotolia.com

Skull – © V. Yakobchuk - Fotolia.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Joe Konrath.

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The cover art was done by Carl Graves at
http://extendedimagery.blogspot.com
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Print and audiobook versions of Jack Daniels Stories are also available.