Divine Justice Read Online Free PDF Page B

his. "Bestest."
     
    By mid-afternoon, they'd gone over more than half the files related to the case, plus some that delved into Winkler's political career. It was dry reading and Ben could tell that Jasi was getting impatient. Every now and then she'd let out a frustrated sigh, emphasizing it to make sure he heard.
    He chuckled when she did it again. "Take a break, Jasi."
    "I want to get this over with. You know I hate politics."
    "Hey, you might actually learn something."
    "Learn something?" She scowled. "I'd rather have a root canal done. Without anesthesia."
    Ben was about to say something when his data-com beeped. He answered, then activated the speakerphone so Jasi could hear.
    "Have you solved the case yet?" a gravelly voice asked.
    "Ha-ha, Matthew," Jasi replied.
    Ben watched as her smile brightened. Matthew Divine was almost a surrogate father figure, and he knew their boss held a special place in his heart for her.
    "Are you both settled in?" Matthew asked.
    "It's a very comfortable hotel," Ben replied.
    "I've arranged for another SUV to be delivered to the hotel. For Jasmine. It's in the underground parking. Keys are at the front desk."
    "I can't drive in an unfamiliar city," Jasi argued.
    They heard Matthew sigh. "You drive in Vancouver."
    "That's different, sir. I know Vancouver like the back of my hand. Anywhere else and I'm―"
    Ben smiled innocently. "Directionally challenged?"
    Even Matthew had to laugh at that.
    "Half the time I'm with Ben," she said. "Any other time, I'm perfectly fine taking a taxi. At least they know where they're going."
    "Traffic's too busy in Ottawa," Matthew said.
    "Yes, it is," Ben agreed, ignoring his partner's flashing green eyes. "She'll survive, Matthew. It's everyone else in Ottawa I'm worried about."
    Jasi tipped her head to one side. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. My driving's not that bad."
    "Tell that to the granny you side-swiped last month."
    He grinned and held up his hands in surrender. She was fun to tease, but she had her limits.
    "The SUV has a voice-activated navigational system," Matthew said. "All you have to do is say your destination out loud and it'll track your route for you."
    Jasi scowled at Ben. "You think of everything, sir. Thank you."
    "I'm looking at the police report right now," came the reply. "Some things are definitely out of whack."
    "What do you mean?" Ben asked.
    "Well, for one thing, Monty Winkler went missing two days before his body was discovered."
    "Missing? I don't recall hearing anything about that."
    "Marilyn never reported him missing until the day before his body was found."
    Jasi cut in. "Where was his wife on the night Winkler disappeared?"
    "At a charity fundraiser," Matthew said. "She called him that Wednesday night, April 11, but he never answered."
    "His body wasn't found until Friday morning, April 13," Jasi murmured. "So where was he for those missing two days?"
    "That's what we need you and Ben to figure out."
    Ben frowned. "I don't get why Marilyn didn't report him missing right away. Didn't she think it was strange that he never came home after two days?"
    "Apparently, it's a habit," Matthew said. "Winkler often came home late at night. Sometimes he'd be gone the next morning before she woke up. That's what she figured happened."
    "So she never heard him come home, yet she still did nothing?" Jasi asked. "She must sleep like a log."
    "Marilyn takes amitriptyline to help her sleep," Matthew said.
    "What about the next day?" Ben asked. "Didn't she at least try to call him?"
    "Marilyn tried his 'com both mornings. No answer. That's when she started to get worried. So she called his office."
    "And?"
    "Monty Winkler never showed up for work Monday or Tuesday. That's when she called the police."
    Ben scratched his chin. "So he went missing Sunday before the charity event, but no one knows where he was until his body washed up on the beach." He checked the file. "Any sign of his vehicle?"
    "Not yet. He drives a light tan