Perfect Crime Read Online Free PDF

doing the math.
    Silence lingered for a minute, as desire for ignorance warred with the need to know. "J... Just say it," she stammered.
    His voice was business-like as he replied, "She's dead."
    Clenching her teeth to gather herself, Tessa spoke again, "Details?"
    The clipped word was a demand for action. Scott returned to his cubicle, then reappeared with a neatly typed article. "I was about to get this approved for the wire."
    "No no no" Tessa repeated, sounding almost panicked. As quickly as she'd lost it, she regained her composure. Reaching for the sheet of paper, her eyes left Scott and turned to stare at the black lettering that peppered the page:
    *  *  *
    The body of Darla Perelli, daughter of Gino and Maria Perelli of Dunning, was found in Manhattan this morning. Ms. Perelli had been listed as missing since March 19 when she failed to return home to her family after work at Gino's Restaurante. The whereabouts of Ms. Perelli, during the interval between March 19 and present date, are unknown.
    The body was recovered in an abandoned apartment building in Spanish Harlem. Positive identification was made from personal effects found at the scene. Cause of death is undetermined at this time. Foul play is suspected.
    The family could not be reached for comment. Local police are working with New York law enforcement to determine how the investigation should proceed and if local suspects are involved.
    *  *  *
    With head lowered, thoughts of the pretty girl filled Tessa's mind. For years they'd carried on like two caring sisters, talking and giggling for hours in a corner table at the restaurant. Those innocent days felt like a lifetime ago.
    It was not like her to fold like a deck of cards. Silently, Tessa straightened, chastising herself for being caught in a moment of weakness.
    "It could be another Darla Perelli," Tessa said, "I mean, Perelli is a common Italian name."
    The look on his face clearly showed Scott didn't believe otherwise, but he let her reach for that last thread of hope. "Maybe," he sighed, "but my contact would not have sent me this lead if there wasn't at least a Chicago link. She wouldn't waste her time."
    Contacts can be wrong, but Tessa sensed that Scott had faith in this one. He seemed open, so she probed. "Did you see the police report?"
    Motioning for Tessa to follow, Scott went back to his desk. "I asked for it, but it's not here yet. This is the fax I got from New York," he said, passing her printed copies of background material.
    Not surprising was the letterhead from the New York Post; it was plausible his source would be a former co-worker. However, the opening salutation, 'Scott darling', brought a moment of pause and caused her to raise an eyebrow before she continued scanning. Half-way down the page was a physical description of the dead woman found. All characteristics could have belonged to Darla, along with almost every other young Italian-American woman, all except for one detail. Beneath one subheading: tattoos/distinguishing scars—bluebell flower, right lower hip.
    Tessa remembered the day Darla had pulled her into the ladies' room to show off the newly acquired tattoo. Darla had sworn Tessa to secrecy, knowing that her father Gino would have had a fit over the ink mark.
    Tessa turned on her heel and took several steps before she paused. Without looking back at Scott, she said a pointed "Thank you," before walking away.
    She didn't wait for the elevator. On the stairs she heard another set of footsteps behind her. Guessing who was following, she walked faster.
    Scott put his long legs to good use and caught up with Tessa in the lobby. "Where are you going?" he asked.
    The redhead rolled her eyes and pushed open the glass doors, stepping out into the street. This wasn't a story any more. She wasn't a source to be interviewed and pumped for information. "I'm going to see them."
    The weather turned cloudy, as if mirroring her mood. Soon it would be dark. Tessa's heart pounded