Page 27 of Junior Has a Secret

“Which is why I called in Special Agent Damian Leonard.You’ll consult.He’ll take the official lead and the unofficial submissive role to you.”

“You do know, I assume, Director Adams, that the victim didn’t die where he’s hanging.”

“The bullet hole in the side of his head confirms your assumption.”

A bullet hole could mean assassin.Chopped off hands typical of the mob.Any of this could lead to Ghost.Maybe.He’ll do what’s instructed during his hits if the payday is big enough.The mob being involved doesn’t exclude him, and when Kane has been walking a line between the cartel and the mob, it’s potential trouble, but unlikely.I stick to focusing on the crime scene.“I don’t see blood on his face.A gunshot wound means blood.There would be splatter.”

“It appears it’s been cleaned off.”

My brows dip.Was the killer cleaning a trophy or his own DNA?“Where are this victim’s hands?”

“We haven’t found them.I suspect that’s the idea.No hands.No fingerprints.”

“Or it’s simply sadistic,” I say.“Has anyone looked for them?”

“No,” he begrudgingly confirms.

And yet we still have no team here.It took me forty-five minutes to get here and they did nothing during that time.Unless he knows more than he’s telling me and someone here did the cleanup.In which case, fuck him.“There’s nowhere near enough blood to support the acts against the victim took place here.”

“The carpet is wet,” Adams informs me.“Seems to be water, like the killer tried to wash away the blood, but I can’t know until the testing is done.”

My brow double dip this time.“To what end?”

“No idea.It doesn’t seem very smart.The blood is just going to wash to another part of the carpet.And he’s got more of it in his body.”

“Unless it’s not the victim’s blood,” I suggest, “but we don’t even know if it’s water on the floor.And of course, we won’t, until we get a team here.”

“The victim was dead.A few minutes delay won’t change that reality.It will, however, allow for time to prepare for the press, and proper discreet crime scene processing with our agents, not the state police.”

“In other words, my father has your full protection.I’m going to ask questions and let them talk too much in the process.And to be clear, if Special Agent Damian Leanard does one thing to piss me off, what follows is on you.”I turn to walk away and I’m about to cut away from him when I hear, “Special Agent.”

I pause but I don’t turn.He needs to know my level of respect for him is at a one.

“Watch yourself.I am not Murphy.Tread with caution.”

The warning is comical and I face him with a curve to my lips.“Or what?Will you ask my father’s permission to fire me?Or maybe Pocher?They’d kill me before they’d fire me.They’d kill you before they’d kill me.You’re the one who needs to tread with caution.”

“Is that a threat, agent?”

“I don’t talk in circles or code.If I’m going to kill you, I’ll tell you straight up.You’re in bed with the devil.That means you’re either like them or dumb.We’ll know that answer soon enough.”I rotate and walk away.

Chapter Twenty-Two

My two J’s are at the door right where I left them like good boys.At least someone is being good since I’m fairly certain that I’ve been bad from the day I was born, and about to get worse.

“Can I see the body?”Jack asks, pushing off the door where he’s leaning, his eyes ripe with excitement.“I know there’s a body.”

“You’re a sick fuck, Jack.”

“Coming from you I’m not sure if that requires a reply of ‘thank you’ or ‘ouch,’ but either way, it works for me.It can work for you.I’m good at my job.Can I see the body?”he repeats.

He’s like a kid asking to go to the swimming pool only in his case, I’m the parent who wants to drown him.“I am forensics.”

“The FBI has jurisdiction.”

“I get that.I do.But if I can just take a look—” His brows deep dive.“And why aren’t they here already?”

“That’s just one of the questions of the day,” I say, not sure what to do with the idea that right now I trust Jack more than anyone else who might work this case.Adams wants a consultant in me, fine.He’s getting me and Jack.“When they get here,” I say, “prove your weirdness works, Jack.Prove it really fucking hard.You’re officially consulting, while working with me and my badge.Nothing happens you don’t see or know.Tell them I said so.If anyone gives you trouble, find me.”