“Don’t count on it. I bet he’s working on our annulment, even as we speak.”
The doorbell app pings on my laptop and it’s Joey with a bag of groceries. “Yo, Sammy. You up there?”
“Where the hell else would I be?”
“Is it true? You got married by a justice of the peace upstate?”
“No! Father O officiated.”
“You preggo?”
“No.” I roll my eyes so high, they hurt.
“Did you get rid of it, then? I’m not judgin’… Vinny sent me. He wants to know. Something about killing the bum if you did. And, he wants a copy of the license.”
“I will not and I was not nor have I ever been pregnant. I will take a lie detector, if needed. Tell them all I’m not talking to anyone else about this. I am officially going offline for the duration of the quarantine.”Enough is enough.
Suds tilts his head. “You sure you want to go there, sugar?”
“No. I am just so damn mad.” I bang a few keys on my laptop, bring up my research, and heave out a deep breath. “Let’s just focus on our murder case, okay?”
Chapter Sixteen
Suds
My heart aches for Sam but getting hitched had to be done. I’m not surprised Mia spilled the beans. If fact, I was counting on it. I love Sam’s family to death but her mom’s timeline didn’t mesh with mine. After a close call with a pee stick, I needed to make sure if a baby came along, it would know I was a responsible daddy.
Shit like that can mess up a kid when they grow older and start asking questions. So, the way I figure it, my surprise ceremony was more than righteous. Nevertheless, I didn’t want them all pissed off at us, especially during a pandemic.
Hell, with any luck, it’ll all blow over and Sam doesn’t seem too concerned. Focused on our latest case, she tapes images on our picture window, turning it into a murder board.
When finished, she points to a forty-five-year-old Asian-American. “The first death happened before the pandemic. Mr. Lee was attending a sales launch of a high-tech software tool. At first, no one took his disappearance seriously. The guy was known for elaborate practical jokes.”
My partner taps her nail on a second picture. “This is Janet Snow. She died while reading her latest novel to her fans.”
Frowning, she shakes her head and stares up at the latest victim. “Akash Subramanian, a software developer, also lived on Long Island. All three died within a forty mile radius of Manhattan. None of the crime scenes show any sign of forced entry. All three were strangled by someone wearing black gloves. We can assume the perp is a man, because of the size of the hands, and the strength required to choke someone to death.”
Standing behind Sam, I slide my arms around her waist. “The first homicide went unsolved, a cold case, if you will. I believe the strangler found out and couldn’t wait to show you how clever he is. Reopening the investigation might’ve been his trigger.”
Her brows lift and she nibbles her lower lip, considering the possibility. “You think it’s my fault more people died?”
I hug her close and kiss the back of her neck. “No, babe. You know me better than that.”
She stares at the printed images for a long time, pursing her lovely lips. “Huh. How the hell did he break in?”
“I’m guessing the victims must’ve known him. None of the doors and windows have scrapes, scratches, or even a telltale fingerprint.” Damn, the killer is clever. For the first time since starting our detective agency, I wonder if we’re in over our heads.
Sam paces, pauses, then shuts her eyes. “They must have something in common.”
“Maybe, the targets were sloppy and didn’t lock up.”
“Yeah, could be.” Sam walks to her laptop, types, then returns. “I don’t think so. Janet Snow’s daughter insists her mom was fanatical about security.”
Laying on the futon, I stare at the ceiling, and picture a woman about to go live on social media. No doubt, she’d be a little nervous. She’d shower, dress nice, and put on makeup. Living alone, she’d bolt her door. Someone had to have rung the bell or texted and she let them in.
Suddenly, I have a flash of insight. “Damn. I think we’re making this way too hard.”
Cell phone in hand, I hit send, and Jason picks up on the first ring. “Hello Sebastian. How can I help you?”
