Justice Served: A Barkley and Parker Thriller Read Online Free PDF

the perpetrator had left no real clues to tie them to the
crime. Aside from the bat itself, which had no fingerprints or
other identifying characteristics other than those belonging to the
victim.
    All three bats left behind at the murder
scenes were wooden, the same model and manufacturer: Jefferson and
Company. They were made in North Carolina and sold across the
country, mainly to high schools and colleges. A number of local
stores also sold them, as well as mail order catalogs. The
investigation into the bats had gotten nowhere. It seemed there
were no unusual amounts purchased recently either locally or
directly from the manufacturer. The consensus was that they had
been purchased inconspicuously at different stores, maybe even out
of state.
    Terris confirmed Nina’s suspicions. “Only
some blonde hair fibers from what appears to be a wig,” he
answered. “And clothing fibers that may or may not belong to the
killer.”
    “Thanks for your help,” Ray told him
routinely.
    “No problem,” Terris said. “It’s my job.” He
paused, then added with a catch to his voice: “Let’s hope I don’t
have to make a habit of this type of autopsy. Don’t believe
everything you hear about medical examiners having thick skin.
Personally, I prefer victims who died of coronary failure. Much
less stressful on the eyes and stomach.”
    Ray got the gist. If they did their job, he
wouldn’t be left with the mess to clean up. “Believe me, Doc,” he
said in a controlled voice, “if we could have solved this case
yesterday, we would have.”
    He looked at Nina who sneered back, and they
left.
    Once outside they headed towards the car.
“Are you okay, Barkley?” Nina asked with concern.
    Ray shifted his muscular frame her way.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he lied. He never was very good at lying.
    “You don’t look so good, Ray,” she noted.
“Sure this case isn’t getting to you just a bit?” She squinted from
the sun’s rays beating down on them like a spotlight. “Men having
their brains bashed in like that can have a sobering effect, even
on people trained to deal with it. Or is it the thought that a
woman could be responsible for the killings that’s left you on
edge?”
    He sighed. “All right, so maybe this one does
have me spooked, but not the part that a woman might be behind it.
I don’t like serial killing bastards of any sex playing judge and
jury.”
    “And you think I do?”
    He raised a brow. “To be honest, Parker, I
think you may be finding this all just a little satisfying—under
the circumstances. Brutal men getting their just do, and all that
crap.”
    Nina stopped on a dime and peered at him.
“Give me a damned break, Barkley, will you? This is Nina you’re
talking to. Your partner, remember? And we go back deeper than
that. I want this son of a bitch as much as you do. I’m not going
to stand here and tell you I’m in favor of assholes beating up
their wives and girlfriends till they’re black, blue, red, and
hospitalized, if not on a cold slab. But that doesn’t mean I want
them brutally murdered as payback.”
    Ray nodded respectfully. Guess I had that
coming . He was ashamed that he had challenged her commitment to
this case. She was the best damn partner he’d ever had and she was
always above board in her professionalism. But he wasn’t about to
tell her that.
    Not today anyway.
    “What do you say I buy you lunch?” he offered
instead.
    Nina rolled her eyes. “I don’t know about
that, Barkley. Sounds like a bribe to me.”
    He smiled. “So arrest me afterwards.”
    She grinned. “Don’t tempt me, honey,” she
teased him. “I just may take you up on that.”
    He didn’t doubt it for one minute.
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    “Where to?” asked Ray, his gaze centered on
Nina behind the wheel. They had just chowed down on some soul food
and now he felt like he was about to burst.
    “Criminal Court Plaza,” she intoned flatly.
“Seems as if our dead dudes have one thing in