Page 27 of Cast Stones
“Shit… Hello?”
“Miss Bailey?”
The brisk familiarity of Detective Hunter’s voice instantly dries my mouth to the texture of sand.
“Detective… How can I be of assistance?”
“I’ll get straight to the point, Miss Bailey. There’s been another murder.”
“When?” I drop my coffee-stained pile of papers like a stone.
“This morning. Forensics put the time of death at around three a.m.”
Always three a.m.
“Same markings?”
“Same markings.”
“Enzo Vincent?” I croak, like it’s painful for me to say the name.I can forgive him for dying without me, but not for living.
“Still out of state, as far as we’re aware. This one was different. That’s why I’m calling you. Have you seen him recently?”
“No, not since his acquittal in court. How is it different, detective?”
“The murder was morefrenzied.” She slows her words to wrap an extra layer of sinister around her implication. “The puncture wounds weren’t as neat. In truth, they were downright messy. It’s almost as if the killer was disturbed, or—”
“Or it was another copycat,” I say, finishing her sentence for her.
“Exactly. Listen, if Vincent gets in contact for any reason, I’d appreciate a call back.Quid pro quo…You owe me.”
I owe him too.
“Was there anything else?”
There’s a weighted pause. “How are you doing, Miss Bailey?”
“Call me Madigan,” I say automatically.
“Last time we met, you seemed—”
“I’m very busy, detective,” I interrupt.Questions about my state of mind are never welcome.“So if you don’t mind…”
There’s another pause. “Can I ask where you were last night?”
“Is this your clumsy attempt at telling me I’m a suspect?” I force a laugh. “Your department is grasping at straws if you’re targeting the lawyer of the falsely accused. Twelve unsolved murders, a collapsed trial…”
“No, it’s just—”
“Just what?” I snap, not stopping to let her reply. “I said I’d let you know if he gets in touch. If you want to arrest me, you have my work address. If not, I suggest you turn your attention to the next move this serial killer will make.”
“Doyouthink he’ll be making any more moves, Madigan?” she asks thoughtfully. “He’s pretty fixated with the number twelve. I’d say he has all the victims he needs right now.”
I’m tempted to laugh for real.Doesn’t she know he will never be done?There are too many true sinners in this world. Too many cast stones to sink the innocent with…
Not unless he sinks them first.
Chapter Eleven
