Chained Guilt (Hidden Guilt (Detective Series) Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

embrace. 
                  “Hey there. How’s Karen?”
                  “She’s sleeping now, but she’ll be okay. Hilary is pretty upset, though.” She paused. “You were amazing today. Now I know why you’re so highly sought after. It’s almost like you were a different person. In an instant you went from husband to super-cop.”
                  “It’s my job.” I sighed. “Add to it the fact that it involved my baby girl, and I guess you got the perfect storm. Most of the time when you’re out there, you don’t have time to think. You just react. Thinking gets you killed.”
                  “Well, I think I’m done with Florida,” she said. “I’m ready to go home, David. I’m glad we have you on our side. I feel so safe when I’m with you.”
    I couldn’t help but wonder if I was actually keeping them safe or if I was the one putting them in danger to begin with.
                  “Home sounds good.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2
     
     
     
     
    I drove around listening to adult contemporary on my radio, thinking about nothing at all. I did that often when I focused on following leads. I kind of zoned out and allowed my thoughts to wander. It was my alone time, my quiet time.
                  I came to a stop sign and looked at the kids playing outside. This was a busy, family-friendly street. Kids and adults engaged in various activities, including flag football and basketball. Others were busy planting flowers or doing other yard work. The radio call ruined the ambience.
                  “We need all officers to respond to Sam Houston Bridge, possible 187.”
                  Just then, my cell phone rang, and I pulled it from my shirt pocket.
                  “Porter. What’s up, Cap?”
                  “David, please tell me you’re almost here.”
                  “Yeah, Cap. Just heard. I’m on my way.”
                  “Good. We’re gonna need your eyes on this. It’s pretty bad.”
                  “Aren’t they all? I’ll be there in five.”
                  When I got to the scene, it was already teeming with cops, paramedics, and the medical examiner. A crowd of spectators had gathered. I’m sure everyone was wondering the same thing I was: were we ever going to catch this guy? I directed one of the cops on the scene to control the crowd and get everyone but medical and law enforcement back. I really needed everyone out of the way—cops and EMTs included; they were doing more harm than good and risked trampling evidence.
                  I was a stickler when it came to the possible contamination of a crime scene—my crime scene. I was the best crime scene investigator in the state—in the nation, if you asked me. I took pride in being the best. If you aimed for second place, you shouldn’t be playing the game. At least that’s what I told myself. It was also what had attracted the “best” of the worst to challenge me. My motto was simple: you might not make mistakes, but everyone leaves a trail. The captain saw me approach and waved me over.
                  “Hey, David,” Captain Wilcrest said. “It’s a damn kid, David, another one. Looks like she’s been beaten, maybe even raped. The bastard severed her hands and her ears. A ‘hear no evil’ this time, I guess. Get in there and see what you can find.”
                  Wilcrest cleared the stragglers back, and I began looking for clues. Wilcrest followed me, taking notes. He and I had worked well together over the years. We’d had our run-ins from time to time, but we respected each other’s work. He knew he could always count on me. I’d heard Wilcrest wasn’t too fond of black officers, but never once in all our years of working together had I ever suspected or felt anything