Faces of Evil [4] Rage Read Online Free PDF Page B

dissatisfied customer.”
    Jess laughed. “No, Mr. Trenton, I do not have a pool.” In fact, she didn’t even have a roof to call her own. She had to do something about that. Soon. “I’ll see that someone takes you back to your SUV.”
    Outside the interview room, Sergeant Harper waited. “Trenton ready to go?”
    “He is and, unfortunately, if he knows anything he’s not ready to share just yet. Has Lieutenant Grayson arrived?”
    “He and his attorney are waiting for you in Chief Burnett’s office.”
    It wasn’t surprising that Grayson would have an attorney already. As an experienced cop he would understand his position in the investigation. Husbands always had to be cleared when wives were murdered. And he was likely still furious that his ex-wife was involved in the case on any level. That decision had legal trouble painted all over it. Who wouldn’t want legal representation considering all that?
    “I just spoke to Chief Waters over at the South Precinct,” Harper went on. “He wanted to be sure we understood that Grayson is one of the best BPD has and we’d better take care of him. I let him know the case is in good hands.”
    “Thank you, Sergeant.” Chief Waters’s assurances were exactly the accolades she expected. Grayson was a highly decorated veteran detective. Waters and his division couldn’t be involved with the investigation but his input as regards Grayson was duly noted.
    Jess’s senior detective gave her a nod. “Waters is reviewing the cases assigned to Grayson over the past two years but he doesn’t recall anything that would have earned him this brand of enemy. He believes the trouble came from his work with Captain Allen’s team.”
    Just another reason for her to want to wring Allen’s neck. Was it too much to ask for a little professional courtesy? “Whatever he’s been doing for Allen, we need full disclosure.”
    “Already on it, ma’am.”
    “Keep me posted, Sergeant, and please escort Mr. Trenton back to his vehicle at the Grayson home.” She leaned in a little. “See if you can learn anything more about his time in rehab. The victim was the head nurse when he was there.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Burnett’s office was on the fourth floor and Jess opted for the elevator. Not that she was opposed to climbing the two flights of stairs, but these were her only shoes at the moment. Snapping a heel would be a problem. And the truth was she hadn’t gotten into a fitness routine since her move south. Even two flights of stairs would probably kick her butt at this point. No need to go into an interview out of breath.
    Tomorrow, she promised herself. She would get into some sort of normal workout routine tomorrow. Next week at the latest.
    Detective Wells was back in the SPU office gathering the latest financials on the Graysons, along with Gabrielle’s family and employment history. Officer Cook, another member of Jess’s small unit, was tasked with going over the information in Grayson’s official personnel jacket. Jess had scanned his as well as his partner’s as soon as she arrived back at her office. Unless Grayson had changed his mind since bringing in his attorney, he had given carte blanche to this investigation.
    As much as Jess wanted to assume the husband was completely innocent, it was her job to vet him the same as she did all other persons of interest and potential suspects.
    Tara, Burnett’s receptionist, greeted Jess as she entered the cozy and richly appointed lobby of Birmingham’s chief of police.
    “Chief Burnett’s expecting me.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Sheila’s still at lunch so you should just go right on in.”
    Jess thanked Tara and made the short journey down the hall to Burnett’s private office. His personal secretary’s desk stood in a more intimate waiting area just outside his door. Jess gave the door a rap as she opened it.
    At the head of his conference table, Chief of Police Daniel Burnett stood and motioned for her to come in. His