Detective Wade Jackson Mystery - 03 - Thrilled to Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

turn it into a book.”
    “We don’t need that kind of publicity.”
    Lammers slammed her meaty fist against the desk. “Yes we do! We are in a funding crisis like never before. The county releases criminals from the jail as fast as we arrest them, and the public is fed up. But the damn taxpayers won’t approve bonds to increase the budget. The best thing this department has going for it is our homicide clearance rate. We might as well showcase the part we get right.” She whacked the desk again, a little less vigorously. “It’s an interview, Jackson. She earned the right. Just fucking do it.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Jackson left the room. As he strode down the hall, his chest tightened. He forced himself to breathe deeply. Even more than he hated the idea of spending a day with Sophie Speranza, reporter for the Willamette News, he hated being ordered to do so. This was not in his job description.
    He felt the other detectives in the crowded room watching him as he strode toward his desk. It was that point in the late afternoon when they had people from both shifts milling about. He didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. He needed a moment to process. Burying his face in his computer screen so no one would come up to him, Jackson tried to work his mind around the situation. Sophie had broken open a case in February by interviewing assault victims and finding the link between them, so he owed her something. This would be a chance to pay her back. The slate would be clean and he wouldn’t have to take her calls anymore.
    “Jackson, are you okay?” Evans voice was suddenly there. Jackson opened his eyes, not realizing he’d even closed them.
    “I’m fine.”
    From the look on Evans’ face, she didn’t believe him. “What did the doctor say?”
    How the hell did everyone know he’d been to the doctor? “I’m fine.” He stared hard, hoping she would back off. She was the newest detective in the unit and had been assigned to work with him a year ago as a training experience. Evans had quickly proved to be a resourceful investigator. As a bonus, her heart-shaped face, bright blue eyes, and tight body were a nice change of pace from looking at Schakowski. “How’s your case going?”
    “Don’t change the subject. The doctor said you’re fine, now what did Lammers want? You looked so pissed coming out of there, it has to be major.”
    “She wants me to give Sophie Speranza an interview, take her around with me for a day.”
    Evans started to laugh, then stopped. “I’m sorry. It won’t be that bad. Let me know if I can help.”
    “Thanks. I think I’ll call Sophie now and set it up. Might as well get it over with while I don’t have a big case hanging.”
    “I thought you were working on a missing persons case.”
    Crap . Just because he’d been to see his doctor twice in the last ten days didn’t mean everyone had to know his every movement. He was fine! Out loud he said, “Danette dropped her baby off with Kera this morning and never came back. We have no idea what’s going on.”
    “That’s pretty weird. Her baby’s only a few months old.”
    “Danette may be just taking a break. It’s tough being a single mom.”
    “Again, let me know if I can help. I’m still interviewing witnesses in the bar shooting, but I have a confession so the hard work is over.”
    “Thanks.”
    Evans went back to her workspace, about six feet away. The big open room was crammed full of desks, and the workstations were grouped by unit: burglary/theft, violent crimes, and special investigations. Narrow walkways lined with filing cabinets separated the clusters. The only bright spot was a bank of windows along the outside wall, but the vertical wooden beams surrounding the building ruined the view.
    After staring at his phone for a full minute, Jackson called Sophie.
    She sounded surprised to hear from him. “Thanks, Jackson. I’m so excited about this opportunity.”
    “Can we do it tomorrow? I happen to have some free