A Good Killing Read Online Free PDF Page A

domestic violence cases to know a cover story when I hear one.”
    “You’ve gotten so cynical, Annie. To a hammer, everything looks like a nail, huh? I’m not a domestic violence victim. I’m not Mom. I took a shower after Owen left, while I was probably too tipsy to be taking showers.”
    “Is that when you just happened to drop your cell phone into the toilet?”
    “Actually, yeah.”
    “I came to help you, Jo. Kathy thought you needed help. But I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
    “I appreciate that, Annie. But I didn’t ask Kathy to call you. I didn’t want you to come here today. And I don’t need your help.”
    Anna turned the car into Jody’s driveway but had to brake quickly. The drive was already filled with other cars, many of them flashing red and blue lights. Three police cruisers, a white van, and two unmarked sedans were parked in Jody’s driveway and at the curb. Men with badges walked in and out of the house like ants from an anthill, carrying boxes instead of crumbs.
    The blue sedan pulled up behind her, followed by Cooper’s Harley. The car door opened and Rob got out. He waved at Anna, then walked right into Jody’s house, calling hello to another officer he passed.
    Anna stared at the activity. She recognized the execution of a search warrant when she saw it. She turned to her sister. “Still think you don’t need my help?”
    Jody met Anna’s eyes. For the first time, Anna saw fear there.

6
    A s prosecutor, Anna was accustomed to search warrants—but being on the government side of them. She liked sifting through the seized items looking for evidence, like combing through pebbles and fragments on a beach, looking for that one perfect shell. This was the first time she’d been on the other side. This wasn’t evidence; the police were carrying out boxes of her sister’s private possessions.
    “Stay in the car,” Anna told her sister. “Do not say anything to anyone .”
    For once, Jody just nodded. The sight of the officers at her house seemed to have knocked the air out of her. Anna jumped out of the Yukon and strode up to an officer who was toting a box out of Jody’s home.
    “I assume you have a warrant,” Anna said. “I’d like to see the paperwork.”
    “Detective Gargaron’s in charge.” The officer nodded at Rob and kept walking. Cursing under her breath, Anna went up to Rob. He stood on the front steps with another officer, going over papers on a clipboard.
    “Detective Gargaron,” Anna said. “You seem to be everywhere.”
    “Ms. Curtis.” He looked up. “It’s not personal. Your sister’s case came up on my watch.”
    “What are the chances?”
    “I know half the people who live in Holly Grove. Chances were pretty good.”
    Cooper walked up and greeted Rob with a vigorous jock handshake.
    “’Sup, Gargaron?”
    “’Sup, Bolden?”
    Cooper put a hand on Anna’s shoulder. Only then did she realize she was shaking.
    “You guys take your car accidents seriously here in Holly Grove,” Cooper said. “In Detroit, the police don’t even show up for gunfire.”
    Rob said, “How’s that working out for Detroit?”
    “May I see the warrant, please?” Anna said.
    Rob was required to give her a copy, and he knew it. He pulled a folded sheaf of papers from his back pocket and handed it to Anna. She skimmed the first page: judge’s signature, clerk’s stamp, proper address. The technicalities were in order. She looked to the dotted line where the suspected crime would be named. Her heart hitched as she read the words: MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE. She forced herself to read on to the next page, which listed the items the police could take out of the house:
BEDSHEETS; BLANKETS; REASONABLE SWATHES FROM ANY CARPETING, UPHOLSTERY, WALLS, OR OTHER SURFACES WHICH APPEAR TO CONTAIN OR TEST POSITIVE FOR THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN SECRETIONS; SPONGES, RAGS, MOPS, CLEANING PRODUCTS; WASHING MACHINE; ALL SINKS, TOILETS, SHOWERS, AND PIPES ATTACHED