Don't Say a Word Read Online Free PDF Page B

department or run into jurisdictional sticking points, just say the word and I’ll take care of it. I’ll support you one hundred percent.”
    â€œI appreciate that, sir. I don’t anticipate anything like that happening.”
    â€œC’mon then, let me show you what’s gone down here. The crime scene’s around back, and damn gruesome, too.”
    Julia followed him down a flagstone path that rounded the south end of the house. A large, rectangular aquamarine pool sparkled in the sunlight in the middle of the flagstone patio behind the house. Rosebushes in neatly tended beds lined paths that meandered through a myriad of shade and fruit trees. Julia could almost visualize the lady of the house wandering along through the garden and snipping fragrant red roses to display in a crystal vase on her glossy dining room table.
    â€œThis house has been in the Lockhart family for years,” Chief Mullins was telling her. “The family made its money in the lumber business, and most of the patriarchs for the last five decades have been attorneys or judges. They also have been known to associate with criminal elements from time to time, so I can’t say I’m especially surprised Lucien ended up dead by violence.”
    â€œDid you know him personally, Chief Mullins?”
    â€œYes, I did. He was a charming old gentleman, but you trusted him at your own peril, if you know what I mean. Hate to speak unkindly of the departed, but the truth’s the truth. I call it the way I see it.”
    As they moved along the sun-dappled path, Julia caught her first sight of the victim. Lucien Lockhart’s body was on the back porch, hanging by the neck from a yellow ski rope tied to a thick wood rafter. Will Brannock was already there, standing on the lawn directing the CPD officers and police technicians to stay off the porch. She glanced at Willie Mullins, wondering if he resented the TBI taking charge of the scene and ordering his people around.
    Chief Mullins seemed to sense her question. “We work well with the TBI here in Chattanooga. They helped us bring down the Rocking Chair killer. Your brother was lead on that one and did a hell of a good job. So did Will Brannock. It hit a little too close to home for a lot of us. Audrey Sherrod, especially.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that.”
    Audrey Sherrod was J.D.’s new girlfriend. Julia had met her several times and had been rather impressed. She was quite a nice lady, not the kind of woman Julia was used to seeing her brother date, but Audrey was a good influence on him. One thing for sure, she had made him happier than Julia had ever seen him, and that was all Julia cared about.
    When they reached Will Brannock, the chief addressed him directly. “I’ve assigned Detective Cass as the CPD detective to help you on this case. Phil asked for our assistance, and we’re glad to oblige.”
    Will looked down at Julia, and she wasn’t exactly sure that he was pleased that they’d be working together. All the previous levity on his part had flown the coop; he was dead serious and his next words proved it. “Okay, just so you know, Detective. I’m in charge. You follow my orders, understand?”
    Not exactly thrilled by that little speech or his condescending attitude, Julia nodded politely and prayed he wasn’t hopelessly clueless about investigatory procedures. She had no idea what kind of experience he’d had with the TBI. J.D. had never mentioned Will’s background to her. Come to think of it, he’d never mentioned much about Will that wasn’t job-related.
    â€œPhil called in our crime scene vehicle out of Knoxville when he got the call early this morning, Chief. They should make it here any time now,” Will said to Chief Mullins. “He thought it best under the circumstances.”
    Mullins nodded. “That’s fine with me. We’ve got two other murder cases that