Page 23 of Sins of a Husband

“I don’t think the wives are telling us everything,” Elijah says.

“What do you mean?” I turn and look at him.

“You mentioned that the killer knows when the victims are alone. All the wives had iron-clad alibis. Maybe they hired someone to kill their husbands. Maybe there’s some secret number you can call for cheating husbands. I suppose it wouldn’t be cheap to hire someone like that.”

“We combed through all the couple’s financial statements, and no large cash withdrawals were made. I’m telling you the connection is with that law firm.”

“Did you stop to think that it could be the husband’s lawyers or firms?” he asks.

I stare at him perplexed, wondering how he even made detective in the first place.

“None of the men had the same lawyer or used the same firm,” I say, turning around and staring at the board again.

“I’m still going with the theory that there’s a secret number to call for cheating spouses.”

“You’re an idiot, Elijah.” I sigh and walk out of the room. “Any hits yet on any of the jewelry that was stolen?” I ask Officer Lee.

“Not yet, Paige. You’ll be the first to know if something comesthrough.”

“Thanks.” I smile and head to my desk.

“Walker, in my office!” Captain Rivera shouts.

I walk in and shut the door.

“Where is Elijah?” he asks.

“In the conference room, being an idiot.”

“The mayor is up my ass about this Widowmaker killer. Tell me you found something, anything.”

“Not yet, captain.”

“Damn it, Walker. You’re one of the best detectives we have. What is the problem?”

“This guy is good, and his crime scenes are meticulous. He leaves behind nothing.” I can feel my blood pressure rise from frustration.

A knock on the door interrupts us.

“What is it?” Captain Rivera shouts.

The door opens, and Officer Lee pops his head in.

“Paige, we got a hit on a piece of jewelry that was just pawned. It’s a pawn shop in Brooklyn.”

“Brooklyn?” My brows furrowed.

“Yeah. The owner just sent a picture. It’s a diamond ring.”

“Thanks, Lee. I have to go, captain. Are we done here?”

“Yeah, we’re done. You better bring me back something we can use to nail this asshole.”

I grab Elijah, and we head to the pawn shop in Brooklyn. Traffic was a bitch, and it took an hour to get there. An hour in the car with Elijah, talking about how he still believes his theory that there’s a murderer for hire phone number.

“Can I help you?” a stocky bald guy asks when we step inside the shop.

I flash my badge. “I’m Detective Walker, andthis is Detective Matthews. Someone pawned a diamond ring that was stolen in a homicide case.”

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