Dead Ends Read Online Free PDF

in sharp contrast to the pool of blood.
    â€œYou Catholic?” asked Jack.
    Connie nodded.
    â€œThink maybe you should turn the investigation over to someone who isn’t?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIf it goes to court the defence will say that because of your belief you weren’t objective in the investigation and claim you framed whoever did this out of blind rage.”
    â€œI may feel rage at what took place, but I’m not blind. I’m seeing this through to the end.”
    Jack shrugged in response.
    On their way up the outside steps, Connie gave Jack a sideways glance and said, “I can’t believe that you, of all people, would be trying to slam me on objectivity.”
    â€œI wasn’t slamming you. Simply saying what the defence will do.”
    â€œWell?” interrupted Laura, looking questioningly at Jack as he and Connie stepped outside.
    â€œClandestine lab,” said Jack.
    Laura glanced at the upper portion of the house before briefly closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
    Connie realized what Laura was thinking and she turned to Jack to ask a question that she feared she already knew the answer to. “You said carcinogenic … what about the people who live upstairs?”
    â€œWho knows,” replied Jack. “For them it will be like living with a ticking time bomb. Never knowing if … or when it will kill you. The bad guys used an exhaust fan … maybe the people upstairs are okay … maybe not. Everyone who has spent any amount of time in the place should get checked out.”
    â€œShe was running a daycare,” said Connie quietly.
    â€œI know,” replied Jack.
    â€œKids … babies,” said Laura, “everyone will have to keep checking to make sure they don’t —” she stopped, choosing instead to bite her lip to maintain control of her emotions.
    Unlike Laura, Connie’s sorrow and fear was replaced with anger. “These sons of bitches killed a priest,” she said vehemently. “They had the place booby trapped … meth lab in a daycare … they don’t give a fuck about anything or anyone.” She unconsciously clenched her fist as she stared at Jack. “I want these guys. I want them behind bars for the rest of their lives.”
    â€œYou and me both,” said Jack sombrely. “We’ll meet with Gabriel and show her the pictures. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
    All three of them stared up at the house and took a moment to regain control of their emotions. Connie was the first to talk. “I’m told Gabriel is distraught and in shock,” she cautioned. “Time is of the essence. I want her to be able to focus right now, so don’t tell her about the cancer stuff. When you’re done, I’ll take a statement from her, after which I’ll tell her to go to the doctor. The sooner we can find these guys the better.”
    Jack sighed and said, “Okay, the ugly part of introducing her to her future nightmares will be left to you.”
    â€œAlong with contacting all the parents who brought their children here,” added Laura.
    Connie nodded in agreement and said, “The pictures might be our best bet. Got a feeling that Forensics will be a dead end. I’d like to get these assholes before they’ve destroyed any more evidence. With the amount of blood the actual killer would have on him, even if he showers, we might still find trace amounts under his nails or up his nose and in his ears … providing we get him soon.”
    â€œWe’ll let you know in about an hour,” replied Jack.
    Jack and Laura spent the next forty-five minutes sitting with Gabriel at her kitchen table while Jack presented a slide show on his laptop of all the bikers he knew in British Columbia, along with their friends and associates.
    During this time, Noah sat in the living room while Faith, not understanding what had happened, was content to lie