Cut and Run (Lucy Kincaid #16) - Allison Brennan Page 0,142
on, Detective?”
“Your wife is a suspect in the murder of Victoria Mills. We have a warrant to search the premises for every knife with a blade four or more inches long, which we will test for DNA. It’s all clearly outlined in the warrant.”
Lucy had specifically asked for Ash to be on-site. As soon as she and Jennifer were inside, she called in Ash and his assistant, to be escorted by a uniformed officer. She wasn’t leaving Ash unprotected, because she really didn’t know what to expect from Faith Monroe. Ash was responsible for going over each knife, and they would only take and test those that fit the murder weapon. Two other officers and two technicians went to the bedroom upstairs to start the clothing search.
Harrison watched the men and women invade his house, concern crossing his smooth expression.
“I believe you are mistaken,” Harrison said to Reed. He was calm and almost soothing.
Jennifer said, “I’m not. Here’s a second warrant preventing your wife from traveling outside the state of Texas while we investigate this case. You should know, ma’am, that your passport and ID have been flagged and you will not be allowed on a plane. If you attempt to cross the border by car, you will arrested for attempting to flee to avoid prosecution.”
“You’re reaching,” Parker said.
“I’ve only just begun.” Jennifer turned to Lucy and winked. “Damn, I love my job.”
Lucy really liked Jennifer. Her style was wholly different from Lucy’s, but her approach came in handy. Harrison looked confused and worried—and a tad suspicious. Parker looked like she wanted to chop off their heads and feed their bodies to pigs.
“Shall we sit down and talk about your alibis?”
“Mine?” Harrison said.
“You’re not a suspect, but it would help us if we knew where you were on the night of Friday, September 6.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I need to check my calendar. I believe I was in Bandera that night looking at property I wanted to buy.”
Bandera. That was Mitch Corta’s alibi. Lucy didn’t say anything, but Jennifer asked, “Who can verify that information?”
“Mitch Corta was the Realtor who was with me, and I can find the contact information for the ranch we were looking at.”
“I have it,” Reed said. “Ex-husbands are always the first suspects.”
Mitch had told Sean that he’d been with Harrison that night, and earlier Reed had verified the alibi with the owners of the ranch.
But the way his wife was staring at him, she hadn’t known what he’d been doing. She wisely didn’t say anything.
“I don’t have to tell you anything,” she said. “I will have your badge, Detective Reed.”
“Good luck with that. Now, about your alibi, Mrs. Parker.”
“Monroe,” she snapped.
“I’m sorry, I know you’re a lawyer under the name Faith Parker.”
“That’s my maiden name, I built up my reputation on that name, but I am Faith Parker Monroe.”
“Of course, I understand. Where were you that night, Mrs. Parker Monroe?”
“I’m not going to speak with you without my lawyer present. You may leave.”
“No,” Jennifer said. “I am required to be here while my people are searching the premises.”
“Very well. Harrison, let’s go to the study. This is a very limited search warrant.” She turned to Lucy and Jennifer. “You touch one thing not itemized and I will have the whole thing tossed.”
Harrison didn’t move.
“Now, Harrison,” Parker said.
Slowly, Harrison turned and followed her.
When they were out of earshot, Jennifer smiled widely. “Damn, she’s good. But I’m better. I’m going to nail her ass and enjoy doing it.”
Lucy said, “Harrison is in shock.”
“He’s a criminal. We’re going to get him, too, it’s just going to take longer.”
“Literally, he never considered that his wife had killed Victoria.”
“How can you tell?”
“His manner. Expression. Tone.”
“He was practically a robot.”
“He’s very calm and smooth, but he has a tell, and I’m pretty confident of my profile of him. And if he’s as ruthless as people say he is, she may be dead by morning. I think he was deeply in love with Victoria.”
Reed frowned. “Where’s the fun in that? I want her in trial being all indignant and then getting the death penalty and rotting in a cell for ten years before she’s fried.”
“Texas uses lethal injection.”
“Just a figure of speech.”
Lucy didn’t have the heart to tell Jennifer that Victoria’s murder wouldn’t be a capital offense in Texas. It would be considered a crime of passion because Parker killed her husband’s lover. Jennifer probably knew it but chose to forget.