Page 63 of Three for a Girl

“He was tied down, too.”

Ally circled her hand over Kerion’s chest and the huge blood stain. “You reckon he was conscious when the killer did this … whatever he did exactly?”

The wound was hidden by the t-shirt. It had been forced on after Kerion’s death, by the angle of Kerion’s shoulders, Chad suspected at least one had been dislocated in the process.

“Probably.” Chad said. “If Ellen was alive and conscious when it happened, I imagine the killer did the same to Kerion.”

Ally hovered her hand over Kerion chest. “His heart, that’s my bet.”

Josh snorted. “Make sure the DI doesn’t hear you betting.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“Killer dressed him in a Scottsdale shirt.”

“Three years old?” Chad asked.

“Yep. Not a good fit on him.”

“It has been a few days,” Ally said. “They always inflate like balloons.”

“I wonder.” Josh said, crouching on the other side of Kerion.

He hooked the bottom of the shirt with his gloved hand and managed to fold it over to find the label. “A woman’s size medium.”

“A woman’s?” Chad echoed.

Josh nodded, putting the shirt back in place.

Chad shot Kerion one last look and left the tent. Even ten paces away, the smell carried to him.

The putrid smell of death.

The forest floor had cracked. Chad looked down, careful not to slip. He’d seen a few other officers tripping and stumbling over the dried dirt.

Climbing out of his protective suit didn’t relieve him of the heat. He shrugged his jacket off and tossed it on the roof of the nearest car.

He would’ve untucked his shirt and loosened his tie, but deemed it disrespectful with Kerion lying dead ten yards away. He looked up at the trees, the leaves underneath were a rich green, and he thought of Romeo’s eyes.

When his irises weren’t swamped completely black, when he looked at Chad with something close to love.

Something wet touched his palm.

He glanced down to see two big black eyes looking up at him. The dog’s ears pricked up when Chad made eye contact, and its tale whipped back and forth, gaining speed.

Chad kept his hand limp and waited for the dog to press his nose against his palm before turning fully to face him. He scratched under the dog’s chin, and its mouth opened, releasing its lolling tongue.

“Her name’s Jess.”

Chad glanced at the man who’d spoken. Kyle Mathews. He kept his eyes fixed to the white tent and the detectives nearby. He clutched a leash, but hadn’t noticed Jess had slipped the collar.

When they’d arrived, Ally had pointed Kyle out as the lucky guy who found the body. The DI had gone over to him, and taken a statement. The whole time Jess had stood, wagging her tale watching the scene with interest, like it was the happiest day of her life.

“I had a dog once, a while ago now.” Chad said, more to Jess than Kyle. “Toby was loyal, protective. My best—my only friend.”

Chad stopped petting Jess, but she nudged his hand, and licked his fingers until he smiled and continued.

“Affectionate?” Kyle asked.

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