“You could call Dr. Jones. Ask her to give you access to the beta version ofVirtual Crime Scene.”
“How did you hear about that?” A pang of professional jealousy hits until he grins and kisses the tip of my nose.
“You’re not the only one with inside information.” He can keep his secret, for now.
“You will talk and you will like it.” Imagining the best kinds of torture, I clear my mind, and leave Jason’s mom a message.
Then, I study the murders and take a break by searching how-to-make-tacos. When our downstairs doorbell rings, my wet partner rushes out with a towel draped around his waist.
“I got it.” A few minutes later, he returns with a cardboard box containing 3-D goggles and a Game Station.
“Seriously?” I can’t believe he wants to play while there’s a killer on the loose.
“Trust me.” Focused, he sets electronics on the table, connects them to our Wi-Fi, and helps me don a headset with an attached glove.
“Whoa. This is cool.” It takes a moment for me to get my bearings but I’m in Janet Snow’s office. “What do I do now?”
“Use the joystick.” Standing behind me, Suds reaches around my waist and wraps my fingers around the control.
“Ah. Thanks.” After a few dizzying moments, I have the hang of it.
Suddenly, his avatar appears and virtual Suds points down. Janet Snow lies on the floor, angry red bruises on her neck. Near the far wall, a table holds a large monitor and a laptop. The cable and Wi-Fi boxes rest on a bookcase in the corner.
I lift my hand, pull back a curtain, and reveal nothing but bricks. While I stare at a white smear on the window, fingerprint data pops up.
“Nice feature.” My comment was meant for Suds but Jason pops into the virtual reality, surprising the shit out of me.
“Thank you. Dr. Jones thought it would be helpful.”
Pushing the joystick forward takes me into the kitchen. Jason and Suds follow.
“Slate had an earlier version but this one is much better.” My partner opens cabinets and drawers until he finds a tall drawer with a garbage bin.
“Stop. Can we look in there?”
Tagged and bagged evidence, including a packing slip float in the air in front of me. “Hey you guys. Check it out. She did receive a delivery. Jason, can you tell us what she received and when?”
“The driver’s log indicates he knocked but no one answered so he set the package in front of the door. At one in the afternoon, Janet Snow went online and reported it stolen.”
“Why would she lie?”
Suds removes my headset, his dark eyes penetrating mine. “I don’t think she did. What if the killer stole her order and returned with it the next day?”
My mouth drops open. “She wouldn’t think twice about opening the door, especially if he wore a uniform… but the online footage shows she never stepped away from her computer.”
“Because the online strangler was already there.”
“Oh my God. You’re right. He must’ve forced her to join the conference so he could murder her in front of her fans. We need to talk to those drivers.”
Chapter Eighteen
Suds
Sam invites Snow’s deliveryman to an online meeting but he’s reticent to speak until I suggest we pay for his lawyer. Andy owes us a favor and is happy to oblige. Besides, all of his court dates have been canceled so he’s got plenty of free time.
Sam does the introductions. “Mr. Benitez? This is Mr. Quinn. He’ll be representing you.”
Shooting his client a stern look, the advocate’s square lights green. “Nice to meet you. I’ll barge in if I think you should remain silent. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide but I suggest you heed my advice.”
