People were already climbing the tower’s interior stairs, but only the ones allowed—paramedics held at the base, fire and patrol waited near the landing, everyone moving carefully, the way they had at the bonfire.
“Someone wanted to make a point,” Durante said. “Her body and face are mutilated.”
“I don’t know who would do this,” Zach said.
“Did you know this woman?” Durante asked, not allowing Zach to look away.
Zach hesitated long enough that the sergeant’s gaze narrowed. He knew he’d be a fool to lie. It just sucked that the truth would make him look even more guilty. Maybe he was. This was the second death where he’d known the victim.
“Yes,” he finally said. “I sort of knew her.” He cleared his throat again. “I had a date with her.”
Durante’s brow lifted. “Hmm. Convenient.”
“I know how this must look, but I had nothing to do with it.”
“What’s her name?” Durante asked.
“Heidi.”
Durante waited, then let out a frustrated breath. “Last name?”
Zach’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.”
“So, it wasn’t someone you wanted to know too much about?” the sergeant taunted.
“It wasn’t like that. We were just having fun. It was mutual,” Zach said, defensively.
“Where is she from? How long has she been here? How much time did you spend together?” The questions came out in rapidfire. Zach was sure this was to throw him off. It was working; he was already rattled.
“We met at the Marlin four nights ago,” he said. “Had some drinks and laughs. Went fishing. Then I took her on a date two nights ago. We spent about six hours together. I brought her back to town, dropped her off, and haven’t spoken to her since. I don’t know anything else about her.”
Damn, it sounded bad, but that’s what happened.
There was another long pause. Durante and his deputies exchanged a look, then faced Zach again.
“You want us to believe that?” Durante asked.
“It’s the truth,” Zach said, his voice shaky with a hint of panic. He wasn’t going down for this. “You know me! Do you honestly think I’d hang someone from the damn bell tower?”
Durante studied him for a long, drawn-out moment, then shrugged. “I’ve seen you lose your temper before. I’ve also seen you go through women as if they’re nothing more than toys. Maybe this one didn’t want to play, and it ticked you off.”
Zach looked up at the tower, then forced his gaze away. He didn’t want the image burned into his mind, but it was too late. He’d remember her like this now.
“When are you going to cut her down?” he demanded.
“It’s an investigation. Preserving the crime scene is essential,” Durante said. “We’re not touching her until Homicide, and the coroner, lay eyes on everything.”
Zach sighed. He wanted to leave.
“Zach!”
His name was shouted. He turned and saw Cass running up the hill. Evans lifted a hand, stopping her at the tape. Durante looked at Zach.
“Another girlfriend?” His judgment was clear.
Zach gave him a disgusted look. “A friend.”
Durante spoke into his radio, then nodded. Evans raised the tape and waved Cass through. She rushed inside the perimeter and came straight to Zach’s side, throwing an arm around him.
