the entry and exit wounds the doctor mentioned in his operative report, I'd bet it was one guy who made an arc like this." I demonstrated the motion, using my left arm for the automatic rifle.
He took the drawing, studied it, and slipped it into his shirt pocket. "Thanks. I'd like to discuss this with the Medical Examiner if you don't mind." He paused a moment, maybe waiting for me to object. "My notion is it was a hit. There is no evidence he associated with people who are in the habit of personally blowing away business associates, so I figure it was a contract."
"Contract? Sounds a bit far fetched to me." I stepped away from the car and faced him. "He's a small time realtor, and from what his wife said, he hasn't been doing a big business. He doesn't appear to have been a big player in anything."
"That remains to be seen. In truth, we haven't uncovered much. Passersby and paramedics trampled the outside part of the crime scene. The realty office is a couple doors away from a bar, but no one saw anything. They managed to come out and gawk and destroy the evidence though. We dug bullets out of the walls and netted several cartridges off the street. We figure the rest of the spent rounds landed in the vehicle."
"Pretty thin. What else?" I gestured with my hands, encouraging him to continue.
"Amelia Hutchinson hasn't been helpful. Her neighbors claim they heard the couple fighting and say Barry came and went at all hours of the day and night. It's been going on for as long as they remember. Amelia says they reconciled and are in love. Doesn't jibe."
I considered his comments. "I think the truth is she thinks she's in love, and he doesn't—didn't give a damn. Being alone scared her. She figured she was better off with him, rather than plunging ahead into unknown territory."
Ray raised an eyebrow. I repeated Amelia's comments about her marital problems and my opinion that Hutchinson emotionally neglected and abused her for years.
"See what else you can get out of her." He tapped his fingers on the roof of my Mini. "Interested in stopping by Patty's for a beer?" He checked his watch. "It's early."
"No, I think not." Patty's Pub was an Irish bar located a couple blocks from the police station. In the past, I frequented the place, stopping by to chat with old friends from the force. Lately, I've stayed away to avoid Ray.
"Suit yourself." He stepped back and smiled.
"Oh well," I said, opening the car door. "I'll give you a call when I have something to report." I hopped into the car, thinking the damned man deliberately pushed my buttons. "Thanks for the coffee." When I entered the perimeter road circling the mall, I glanced at him in my rearview mirror. He stood in the same spot. "Don't get involved, Sophia," I said.
5
On Saturday morning, I pulled myself from sleep. I was sticky, bathed in perspiration. Despite the open windows, it was too warm to sleep without air conditioning. I felt drugged, though I hadn't been, and annoyed. Disquieting, vague images of Ray back in my life had filled my fitful sleep. I remembered a vivid image of my house with a placard in front of it.
I petted Sunshine, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. His silky long ears and perpetual puppy face reminded me of Lady from Lady and the Tramp . His sole purpose in life was to sit on a pillow and look pretty, and he did that very well. He was also good at lap sitting, chasing and sometimes catching small lizards, and tracking up my tile floors. Sunshine slept on my pillow and liked to cuddle in the morning. So did I, but he didn't reciprocate. Ray had laughed when he heard Sunshine's name. It's a wimp name for a male dog, but I wanted a bit of sunshine in my life, and he fit the bill.
After I gave Sunshine his morning rub and snuggle, I felt better. I padded into the kitchen to start my coffee brewing and feed