Dead Cold Mysteries Box Set #4: Books 13-16 (A Dead Cold Box Set) by Blake Banner (best ereader for academics .txt) 📕

He slid the file across the desk to her. “Talk to Melanie Delano in Jersey. I’m not sending you to New Mexico.”

We stood and I opened the door. As I was about to step out, the inspector said, “John? Carmen? Sooner or later there has to be a case that just can’t be cracked…”

Dehan nodded, but I frowned. “Oh, I’ve cracked it, sir. I know who did it: how and why. I just need to prove it.”

Halfway down the stairs, Dehan said, “It’s Fernando, right?”

“We need the evidence, Dehan. Call Melanie, will you? Arrange to see her this morning. We’ll drive over to Jersey, but I want to pass by Giorgio’s place first.”

We stepped out into the freezing, blustery wind again and made our way toward the car on unsteady feet while Dehan dialed. As we climbed in, she spoke suddenly in a bright, friendly voice. “Hi! Is that Melanie? Hi! It’s so nice to talk to you! Listen, you were recommended to me by a friend…?”

She gave the statement the intonation of a question. I rolled my eyes and fired up the beast. As we rolled out onto Storey Avenue, she was saying: “She said you provided special services…” She squealed with laughter and curled up. “I know! Right? So I would like to book a session? For me and my husband…?” Another squeal of laughter. “Life’s too short! Right? Can you see us later this morning? I’ll pay extra for the short notice. It’s his birthday and I just know… You will? Eleven thirty? Oh you are a doll! Thank you so much! Can’t wait!” She hung up and grinned.

I shook my head. “Who are you? You scare me sometimes.”

“I know! Right?” She chortled, and after a moment said, “OK, partner, come clean. What was all that about Marion, Mary, Xara, Jose Rodriguez… How was any of that an answer to my question?”

I turned onto Sound View Avenue and began to accelerate south.

“You know the way ninety-nine percent of cases are all about sex?”

“I’d say a bit less, but yes.”

“This one is, in some ways, no different. It is all about sex, but it is Freudian sex.”

“Freudian sex…?”

“Yeah, this is all about Cyril’s mother.”

She sighed, took hold of her long hair and tied it into a knot behind her head. Then she sucked her teeth. Then she sighed again. “OK, go on.”

“Every woman in this case is, to a greater or lesser extent, a reflection of Cyril’s mother…”

“OK, maybe, but how does that help? And how does it clinch who killed Sue, or tell us why or how? Besides, Stone, I very much doubt that Fernando or Giorgio knew anything about Cyril’s mother. And also, how does Jose Rodriguez come into it?”

I turned onto Thieriot Avenue. “See? If you had listened instead of talking, I might have had time to explain. But we’re here now, so it will have to wait.”

“Dork.”

I turned into Lacombe and drove down Taylor Avenue, to pull up outside Giorgio’s place. Then I leaned on the horn for ten seconds, which, if you count them out, is a long time to lean on a horn. By the time I’d finished, Dehan was staring at me like I had lost my mind. “What the hell are you doing?”

I smiled. “Announcing our arrival.”

That didn’t change her expression. She climbed out of the car and I followed. Giorgio was watching us from his window. We climbed the steps to his porch and he opened the door.

“That’s a lot of noise you’re making there. What can I do for you, detectives?”

“I just have a couple of questions for you, Giorgio. You told us you were with three prostitutes the night Sue was killed.”

“So what?”

“It was a lie, wasn’t it?”

He didn’t answer. He just watched me.

“So, what I would like to know is, did you hire the prostitutes for Cyril?”

His eyes narrowed but he still didn’t say anything.

I gave him a moment longer and said, “OK, how about Fernando and his record of violence against women? Do you participate or just try to cover for him and protect him?”

“Are you arresting me on some charge?”

“Not yet, but these are questions you will have to answer sooner rather than later. These and others.” I placed my finger on his chest. “And take my advice, Giorgio. One of these days, there is going to be a knock at your door. Trick or treat. You better be ready.”

I went down the steps back to the car and, across the road, I saw Sandy Beach looking out of her window at us. I turned to Dehan, who was still looking at me like I’d lost my mind. “Just give me a minute, will you? I’ll be right back.”

I crossed the road and pushed through Sandy’s gate onto the path that led to her front door. It opened before I got there. She was smiling. “Hello, Detective. I couldn’t help noticing you outside Giorgio’s house. Is there something I can do for you?”

“I don’t know, Ms. Beach. It’s a long shot, but we’re kind of against the ropes. We’re a little concerned about Fernando, you know, Giorgio’s friend?”

She frowned. “Yes, I know him slightly. Concerned about him why, Detective?”

“I can’t really discuss the details, ma’am, but have you noticed any comings and goings at the house? Any women who might be…”

She gave a little gasp. “You mean… professional?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Goodness…! No, I can’t say I have. They do have rather rowdy parties sometimes, but since I had a word with Giorgio, they seem to have moderated a bit.”

“Can I give you my card…” I pulled one from my pocket and handed it to her. “And if you notice anything odd, we are