quick. But rumor had it that a week later, the skin had
been sent to Sutekh as a gift, stretched and pinned in
place like a macabre picture complete with shiny, black
plastic frame. Supposedly, the Wal-Mart sticker was still
intact.
Whoever had done that had balls of carbon steel. Or
a death wish.
“The video?” Marin swallowed again, and for a second Roxy thought he was going to ask what she was
talking about. Then he gave a short, huffing exhalation
and said, “Nah. Saw the actual tattoo when they
brought the guy in. But, uh, not what followed…” He
paused. “You, uh, you seen it?”
“Not in the flesh.” She offered a dark smile.
So he hadn’t been there for the actual killing. A
shame. It meant his information was less valuable than
she’d hoped.
“Frank, you’re not giving me shit. Tell me something I can use.” She smiled and turned the knife so the
blade caught the light. “Or don’t. I need to practice my
carving skills. Thanksgiving’s just around the corner.”
His eyes rolled until only the whites showed.
58
SINS OF THE HEART
Keeping her expression blank, Roxy murmured,
“I’m betting there were other witnesses, Frank. Wanna
tell me about them?”
He blinked, then shrugged. “No one. Didn’t see no
one.”
“You’re lying.”
Pressing his lips together, he glared at her. “You
think I’m stupid?”
