Murder in Misery (Spook Squad) - By Ashley K. Broome Page 0,1
as if she were strangling the air, “controlling. Plus, she’s a bitch.”
Maria muffled her laughter in her hand. Keegan grinned, “I see I’m not the only one who has fallen victim to that line of thought.”
“Shush up, Keegan.” Maria rolled her lips together trying to hold back the laughter. “I’m not supposed to be the bad guy here. You are. I am supposed to be the supportive mother.”
“I know they love me Ma, or that they did.” Keegan shrugged, “I just feel like they don’t miss me as much as I miss them.”
Maria smirked before standing from the table and attending her gumbo. “Maybe if you weren’t alone, you wouldn’t miss your family so much.”
“Ma!” Keegan smacked a hand down on the table. She had just about had it with the way this evening’s visit was going. It was supposed to be a night off from the SIU so that she could kick back, relax and get a nice hot free meal.
“I’m just saying. If I don’t have the ability to nag the majority of my children about grandkids then I will nag who ever I can about still being single at twenty-eight while the rest of your siblings are married.”
“I’ll get married when the time is right. Until then,” Keegan answered with an eye-roll, “whatever happens, happens.”
“You don’t have time for anyone but that squad of yours. That’s who you’re married to,” Maria muttered. “You love them more than you love your own family.”
“Oh Mom,” Keegan stood up to do something to reassure her mother that her way of thinking was just not true, but then her phone started playing the Ghostbusters theme. Keegan grimaced as her mother turned around as if to say, “See I told you so!”
“Detective Morne,” Keegan answered before she was digging through the drawers in the kitchen for a piece of paper and a pen. She settled on a pen and a paper napkin to scribble on, “What’s the address? Mhm, how long has homicide been on the scene? Right, well they are going to have to wait a little bit longer. I’m right outside of town so I’ll be there in about twenty and tell Cassidy he can shut his trap and be patient.”
Keegan set her phone in the holster on her belt and pulled her hair back into a tight pony-tail before she turned towards her mom with a pleading look on her face, “Save some gumbo for me?”
“Talk to your brother and sisters and then maybe I’ll freeze half the pot for you and drop it off at your place tomorrow.”
Keegan rushed towards her mom, pressing a kiss to her cheek, “You’re the best Ma. I love you.”
“I know you do sweetheart.”
Keegan stood just outside the bright yellow police line with her hands resting above her hips. Her jacket fluttered with the gust of wind as she shifted her belt and gun to a more comfortable position. Lost in her self, Keegan ignored the loud hustle and bustle of uniformed cops trying to hold back the reporters who were itching for a new story along with the neighbors of the murdered who were hoping for a juicy piece of gossip that they could share with their friends.
Keegan stared up at the two story house and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath to center herself and she opened her senses to what was around her. The house was unobtrusive, almost tucked away in a copse of pine trees. Two white cars sat innocently in the driveway and decorations for the holidays were dotted around the yard. The only thing that stood out was the gas lights along the driveway that were still burning bright during the daylight.
Shaking her head clear she darted up towards the yellow police line and an officer held out a hand stopping her, “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step back.”
Glancing down at the man’s name badge before she pulled the lanyard holding her badge out from the folds of her coat Keegan gave him a grim look, “Officer Bayard, I do believe they are expecting me.”
“Oh sorry Detective Morne, I didn’t realize that had called SIU in,” He lifted up the yellow tape and allowed her to duck beneath it and pass into the territory only cops were allowed. She paused at the foot of the front steps. Her muscles tensed from the echoes of what had happened in this house. There had been so much terror and pain. It lingered behind