Precipice Read Online Free PDF Page A

they’re trying to tell a story. Execution killings are usually a sign the attacker craves power. The shooter is getting off on forcing his victims into passive submission.” He frowned. “I mean, who kills the wealthiest guy in this part of the state—a man who would be missed, and quickly—wastes time positioning the body, but doesn’t bother to go after the money in his wallet. He—or they—wanted this to be seen and feared. Fright feeds arrogance and sense of control. A kill like this probably indicates an offender who feels they’ve been wronged and are trying to reclaim the power.
    “The tooth is strange, but I’d bet it’s just a trophy. It’s common in cases of victim submission. Symbolizes victory and conquest and demonstrates power over the victim.” He stopped his analysis to take a quick breath. “I admit I’m lost with the empty briefcase though. What were they after? Paperwork, maybe files? Suppose it could have been cash too. But then why pose the body like that? And why not empty the wallet while you’re at it?”
    “I got no idea man,” Amadi muttered.
    “No opinion at all? That’s not like you. You usually have all kinds of nutty conspiracy theories on tap,” he chuckled.
    “Sorry dude.” He shrugged.
    “Well, check with those nefarious sources you always seem to know. See if you can get anything out of ‘em.”
    “I’m on it.”
     
    Less than 48 hours later, Amadi disappeared. Looking back, that unusual claim of ignorance may have held more meaning than Dominic knew at the time. At first, the assumption was that he’d poked around his criminal sources a little too much and one of them had him offed, a consequence many worried would happen eventually given the nature of the people Amadi knew. When he disappeared, they assumed the worst, but when he resurfaced, whispers of betrayal and deception circulated through the small office. And Dominic was left trying to remember every detail of their final conversations.
    Had he been nervous that night? Jittery? Did he answer too slowly? Too quickly? Was there some clue that he missed? These kept Dominic up late, costing him hours of precious sleep. The doubts and anxieties ate at him.
    Day after day, for months, he found himself returning to his childhood home on the other side of the city to visit his mother in the hopes that experiencing normalcy—as well as her fabulous home-cooking—would help settle him. There must to be something he overlooked, and whatever it was had returned to haunt him.
    Since that first murder of Jayden Dodd, five others had been discovered. All killed with a single bullet, close range, to the middle of the forehead, and placed in the same immaculate position. And all missing a single tooth, ripped from their mouths. The pathology report showed the teeth had been extracted postmortem—after death—but no other signs of trauma were visible.
    No fingerprints, fibers, or other trace evidence were ever found. Forensic techs searched the scene for hours, but came away stumped. The attacker was careful. Other than the M.O., no connection in victimology ever surfaced. They appeared to be chosen at random. A wealthy investor on trial for insider trading. A foreign gas station owner. A local television reporter and minor celebrity. A working mother from a non-profit. A sleazy lawyer suspected, but never proved, to be involved in human trafficking. And now this janitor at the local museum. Rich and poor. Local and foreign. Influential people in high positions and weak individuals with zero power or influence. All but one shot in the forehead, and all staged in identical fashion.
    And on top of everything, he had to deal with Amadi’s vanishing act. None of it added up, and it made even less sense the more Dominic ruminated. Yet it had become a personal quest, one he was unable to let go, robbing him of sleep and sanity.
    He struggled to keep his work up to par, fighting the constant exhaustion that invaded his