Page 61 of Line of Sight

“Yes, but only because they asked all Murphy’s coworkers questions about him. There was no reason to suspect her of being involved. No motive for killing him either.”

“So we don’t know where she was the night he died?”

Gary shook his head once more. “No, but we’re going to find out. We’re talking to Jennifer tomorrow.” He grinned. “Which isgood timing after the phone calls I had this morning. I’ll be very interested to know whatyoucan tell us, Dan.”

“What about Senator Kelly?” Riley demanded. “Are we really going to wait until next week?”

“We can let him stew for a week,” Gary said with a smile. “Besides, he didn’t have a motive for killing her.”

“And that right there is what connects them all,” Dan declared with a note of triumph. “At first glance, itseemsas though none of them have a motive for any of the murders. All of them have alibis—at least I’m assuming Amy Walsh is going to have one, because why should she be any different? And as for the senator, yes, he lost his wife, but we don’t know anything about their marriage.”

“And if we’re still going with the theory that Unknown Guy is our killer, can I just say something?” Riley pointed to the photo of the stiletto that had been used to kill Murphy. “Surely that points to a woman?”

“Two things.” Dan proceeded to count them off. “One, we’re assuming Unknown Guy actually is a guy. And two… are you telling me men don’t wear heels?”

Riley opened his mouth to reply, then snapped it shut.

Dan nodded. “So maybe we need to question anyone who worked at or near Cronin’s Landing. Flash Murphy’s photo around. Ask if anyone saw him that night, and if so, was he alone.” He glanced at Gary. “I’ve just taken another glance at the autopsy report. No wonder they paid no attention to the notion of Amy Walsh as a possible killer. Or any other female for that matter. They were looking for a man—or a trans woman.”

“Why would they do that?” Riley frowned.

Dan put down the report. “Because of what turned up from the swab taken from Murphy’s mouth. Granted it wasn’t much, but it was enough. All they needed was a tiny amount, and it wasn’t something that could have been concocted.”

Riley’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

Gary pulled his copy from the folder and scanned its contents.

Sure enough, there it was in black and white, and they’d missed it.

Sperm cells.

Chapter Forty-Three

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

10:00 a.m.

RILEY STUCKhis head around the door. “Gary, Amy Walsh is here. Interview Room One. Will it be you and Dan?”

“Could it be all three of us?” Dan interjected.

Gary arched his eyebrows. “You don’t think that’s overkill?”

“Of course it is. I want her off balance. That way she’s more likely to make mistakes.”

“And give you something to sink your psychic teeth into, right?” Gary’s eyes gleamed.

Dan grinned. “Exactly. Especially since you told me how reluctant she sounded on the phone when you invited her to come to the precinct.”

“Then let’s go interrogate—I mean question—her.” Riley held the door open for them.

Since Gary’s explosion, something had changed in Homicide. Dan had noticed it a day or two after. There were no sideways glances, no expressions that could be deemed negative. In fact there was nothing that would attract attention, but he was aware of an undercurrent of….

That was it. Dan wasn’t sure. It was as though everyone was masking their true feelings. Not that he thought the department was rife with haters, not for one minute. He knew they had allies out there. But maybe the allies were also nervous of showing their colors.

When is the day going to arrive when someone’s sexuality, ethnicity, whatever, is just accepted as normal, as part of who they are?

Dan suspected he’d have a long wait.