Deadly Consequences Read Online Free PDF Page A

back towards the scene.
    “Interesting.” Alec walked alongside her, staring at her in mock surprise. “You’d prefer being in bed with your cat, over the fiancé, Special Agent Asshole.”
    “That’s not what I said.”
    “Yes, you did,” he argued. “I distinctly remember you saying you’d prefer to be in bed with your wine and your cat.”
    “Alec.” She smiled sweetly. “Kiss my ass.”
    He tipped his head back and laughed. “Don’t ever say that to Lombardo. He’ll consider it an invitation.”
    Her reply died on her tongue when she caught site of a disturbance up ahead.
    “Detectives,” the shout came from a distance. Sam looked up over the ridge to see one of the uniformed officers waving at them. “We need you at the barn.”
    Cursing the heat, she yanked off her shoes, and jogged towards him, with Alec following behind. Sweat poured down her face. Winded, Sam bent at the waist to catch her breath, holding a finger up to the officer.
    When she was finally able to speak, she nodded. “What have you got?”
    “We found the other leg.”

     
    Lombardo traipsed through the park; his face flushed bright red from exertion. “Why the hell do the damn trees have to be so far away?”
    “Wouldn’t feel so far if you cut back on the pasta, old man,” Rafe said sprinting ahead.
    “Bite me.” Lombardo huffed marching past Rafe to lean against an old maple. “Cripes it’s muggy out here.” He waved his hand under his face to circulate the air. When that failed to do the trick, he grunted and rolled up his sleeves.
    Rafe’s eyes narrowed as he watched his partner. “You’re a trip man. You drag us all the way out here, then you act like you’re surprised it’s hot. What’s up with all the cloak and dagger shit anyway? It better not be because you’re concealing evidence.”
    “Ain’t concealing if I bagged it and tagged it. You watched me do it too. Not my fault Sam and Alec took off.” He pulled the plastic bag from his pocket, waving it with a grin. “I’m just not ready to share it yet.”
    “Aw, man.” Rafe ran his hand through his hair, and pivoted on his heel, showing Lombardo his back. He counted to ten and did a quick about-face. “You’ve got to stop pulling this shit.”
    “I told you those kids were guilty, but you didn’t want to believe it,” Lombardo gloated. “I’m willing to bet a large pizza with extra pepperoni Sam is gonna want to let them walk.”
    Rafe jammed his hands in his pockets, stared up at sky, and sighed. “ Que Dios
me
ayude . You’re telling me you know different?”
    “I don’t have to tell nobody nothing. Evidence doesn’t lie.” Lombardo leaned back and crossed his ankles, a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Having Sam around to muck up the crime scene was a minor bump in the road. He solved the case and he would get the glory. The reporters would be outside the gate, waiting for his statement. He couldn’t decide if he should straighten his tie and put on his suit coat, or let them snap his picture with his sleeves rolled up and his collar loosened. He was about to ask Rafe his opinion when he snatched the plastic bag out of Lombardo’s hand.
    “Let me see that,” Rafe said. He held it up to the moonlight to get a better look, glancing at Lombardo in surprise. “Is this what I think it is?”
    “Damn straight. A garter dug up and buried under the pile of dirt with the severed limb.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t those used for weddings and…” he cocked his head, holding his hand to his ear.
    “Proms.” Rafe answered in a flat tone.
    “Bingo, my friend. Proms. And where were those punks before they decided to trespass in the zoo after closing?”
    “The prom,” Rafe sighed handing the bag back to Lombardo. “I don’t know, man. How do we know they didn’t drop it when they stumbled across the victim?”
    “Come on.” Lombardo shot him a look. “You think the crime scene