The next day, I stared at her from our jail’s observation room. Other than the black eye and bandaged head, she still looked beautiful.
Maybe I should swear off women altogether. It’s obvious that I’m no good at reading the opposite sex.
Gail was the perfect example of why I would likely remain a lifelong bachelor.
Frank entered the observation room. “Ready, Jesse? I can take over if you’re feeling uncomfortable about it.”
“Nope, I’m good.” I sucked in a breath to calm my anger just as Lutz entered the observation room.
“You going for it?”
“Yep, right now.” I walked out, took two steps, and entered the interrogation room.
She turned her head to the right, clearly trying to see who had entered, then looked away when she realized it was me.
“Can’t face me, Gail?”
She shrugged. “Just surprised to see you’re back at it already. You damn cops just don’t let up, do you?”
I laughed as I took a seat facing her. “Was that a serious question? You and that other woman killed a half dozen men that we know of and probably more that we don’t.”
She leaned across the table and snarled. “That woman was my mother, and she spent most of her life being abused by my piece of shit father!”
Her comment took me by surprise. “So that’s what all of this was about? Killing men because your father was an abuser?”
“Yes, and he abused me, too, but in a different way.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but those men you killed weren’t your father. They had nothing to do with the shitty life you and your mom lived. Why didn’t the two of you just pack up and leave?”
She stared at me with hate-filled eyes. “What do you know? I bet life was easy for you, wasn’t it, pig? Now my mom is dead and you’re the one who killed her, you piece of shit!”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice, and we chose to stay until—”
“Until you found a permanent solution?”
She spewed her reply. “I caught the bastard torturing my mom. He was going to kill her and had already cut off her fingers and smashed her jaw and teeth. He wanted to make sure she would never be identified once he disposed of her. I thank God she was unconscious at the time. I lunged and stabbed him in the back with a butcher knife. He needed to be put down, and that was my permanent solution. I cut him into manageable pieces and tossed the wrapped body parts into the freezer. Every week, a freezer bag was added to the trash bag and placed at the curb with the rest of the garbage. Nobody noticed his absence because he didn’t have any friends, anyway, and that’s when I began the traveling gigs. He was retired, and we still collect and cash his Social Security checks.”
I looked over my shoulder at the one-way mirror behind me. I knew Frank and Bob were listening to her every word.
“How many men have you and your mother killed, Gail?”
“Fourteen, and you would have been next.”
“Why me?”
She laughed. “Now and then, I deserve a break from those old codgers. I wanted to go out with a good-looking guy, and you being a cop was a bonus. Nothing personal.”
“Why Robert and Cliff? Was it because Robert lived near you in California and Cliff was a porno-taping pig?”
She laughed again. “You cops overthink everything. I didn’t know shit about either of them. Mom chose them because of their hair. It was just like my father’s. No other reason.”
I shook my head and walked out. Gail was definitely certifiable. Back in the observation room, I looked at Lutz and Mills. “I think you have all you need, Boss. I can’t stand to be in that room with her for another second.”
“You did good in there, Jesse, and she’ll be locked up for life. Thanks, pal. Now go on home and get some rest.”
The thought of lying on the couch with a beverage and my pup sounded pretty good. At that moment, it was all I needed. I hadn’t picked up Bandit yet, but I knew he’d be happy to see me and spend the day sleeping on the couch.
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into my driveway. Glancing to my right, I saw a car that I didn’t recognize at Dean’s house.
Shit. He has company, and yet he’s still watching Bandit for me.
I felt like a jerk as I climbed out of my Camaro. I went directly to his front door and knocked, and seconds later, Dean answered.
“Jesse!” He gave me a relieved but careful embrace. “Frank told me everything. Come on in. I want to introduce you to my cousin, Lee Bradley, and her daughter, Hanna. They’re moving to Chicago from New York to be closer to family.”
“No, no, I don’t want to intrude. I’ll just scoop up Bandit and be on my way.”
“Not on your life. I just started the grill, and we’re having brats, burgers, and beans. You’re staying for dinner and I won’t take no for an answer, so come on in.”
I reluctantly followed Dean to the patio, where Bandit charged across the yard and nearly knocked me to the ground.
I laughed. “Settle down, boy. It’s okay.”
Dean smiled and turned to his cousin. “Lee, this is my neighbor and a Chicago police detective, Jesse McCord.”
I reached out and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lee, and I must say you have quite the cousin. I don’t know what I’d do without Dean. He’s a godsend.” I looked to my right and saw a beautiful thirtysomething woman laughing happily.
“I just love your dog! Bandit and I are already best friends.”
Dean continued proudly. “And this is Lee’s beautiful daughter, Hanna, who happens to be a veterinarian.”
Hanna gave me an oversized smile, and her eyes twinkled playfully while she knelt and petted Bandit.
I reached out, shook her hand, and smiled back at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Hanna.” In an instant I was smitten, and at that moment I knew my life was about to change.
THE END
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