Jury of Peers Read Online Free PDF Page A

serious."
                  Finn added, “His wife.  She’s in surgery now.  Can you find out what’s going on there for us?"             
                  “You bet.  I’ll call down and let you know.”
                  "Before you tell him," Finn said.
                  She wasn't pleased with that, but nodded.
                  They thanked her, handed her their cell numbers and left.  It occurred to both of them that they’d probably gotten all out of Seth Meek that they ever would.  By morning he’d be through the shock that saves a life and lapsing into the shock that saps it away.  He’d stop trying to remember, and the images that remained would be muted by the knowledge that he was made a victim in the worst possible way.  They’d both seen guys blow their heads off over things like this, lesser things.  People were fragile, and this was a lot like dumping a guy off of a building and telling him to walk it off. 

Chapter Three
    Impetus
     
     
    “This is nice.”
    “Yeah.  No doubt.  What’s this guy do again?”
    “Dunno.  Computers I think.  This is going to be some kinda bad,” Finn said.
    “Prolly,” Tonic agreed as they stepped into the foyer.
    The two men stood in the open space only long enough to catch the unpleasant and never familiar smell of a violent death.  A trio of paramedics was collecting their gear, packing up without a word while a uniformed cop stood, hands on hips, looking down the hall. 
    Finn cleared his throat with no visible effect on the cop.  “Hey,” he said finally, “what’s the deal?” 
    The cop turned, his eyes distant.  He wet his lips, gathered himself up, then walked over to the front door.  “Dan Meyer,” he held out his hand and Finn took it.  It was trembling, and he looked truly relieved to have them there.  "What took you so fuckin' long man?"
    "We headed over to the ER first before the husband got all doped up.  Sorry, dude," Tonic said with unfeigned sincerity.  No one wanted to be trapped in a mess like this one.
    “Alright.…”  The cop looked around the lofted living room as he started the narrative.  "Looks like somebody came in through the back," he waved in the general direction.  "Shot and killed a little girl, shot her mother, smashed in the dad’s face.  Mom and dad are in route now," he glanced at his watch then shook his head.  "You said they were already there right?"  He sighed, "The girl is still over there.  Fuckin’ awful day.”
    Finn looked the cop over.  They’d met about two weeks ago over a hooker that had shot herself in the foot.  Her screeching was a little distracting, but he remembered this guy's face clearly enough.  He certainly wasn’t green, but he was all bent out of shape.  Finn looked at his partner and they shared the thought. 
    “Killer wasn't real careful,” the cop went on, “I’d bet on finding prints and probably… other stuff too.”
    “Other, meaning what exactly?” Finn asked as his partner began a walk around.
    “The blood on the floor, well, I dunno.  I’ve seen messy shit before.  Sure as hell they raped the mother."
    Finn clapped him on the back and the guy walked off without a word… mid–sentence.  He didn't turn around, just disappeared into the kitchen where the paramedics were talking in hushed tones. 
    Finn stood in place for a moment and then walked out the front door and into the driveway.  Near the mailbox, he took in the neighborhood, and then turned back toward the home.
    The pathway lighting came on as he watched.  It flickered along the perimeter of the foundation and then illuminated the front of the house with a dozen or more soft beams.  A handful of other homes joined the light show as he stood there in the wind.
                  This was a fairly high–end spread.  It was about five-thousand square feet shy of being an honest–to–god mansion.  About