Fractured by Kate Watterson Page B

him.
    â€œDetectives,” said the one with the earflaps, after taking care of examining their credentials. “I’ve heard of you. Northwoods killer case. You mind telling us why you’re here?” He was thick-shouldered and had the accent of a true Wisconsin native, his cheeks ruddy from the cold.
    â€œMurdered man in that house right there a few days ago.” Ellie pointed across the street. “Mind telling us why you were checking out my car?”
    The second cop was younger and slimmer, a red-head with an angular nose and sharp chin. “There’s a gang of local kids that keep breaking into the school. We drive by now and then, just in case we can catch them at it. We had to wonder what someone might be doing parked here. This car doesn’t exactly match the neighborhood.”
    â€œI think we may have crossed paths with those kids.” Santiago briefly outlined what had happened.
    â€œSounds like them. They just hang out as far as we can tell, though there’s some interesting graffiti on the walls. Short of burning it down, they can’t hurt much as you probably saw. The school corporation took everything usable to the new elementary.”
    Ellie asked, “Any way we could get some names and talk to these kids? They were sure watching us across the street. Maybe they saw something that might give us a lead, if not on the day of the murder, at some other time. We think the victim might have done what they are doing and taken advantage of an empty house and moved in. We can’t ID him and no one seems to know how he came to be there. He was robbed but we think it was to deflect us, because the murder sure seemed personal.”
    The thin cop nodded, his face grim. “We heard about it from the officers who responded to the initial call. I’m not ashamed to say I’m glad I wasn’t on duty. I understand he was pretty slashed up.”
    There were certain sights she couldn’t erase from her memory as well and he was right, that happened to be one of them. “We’ve worked a few brutal cases and this qualifies.”
    â€œAs for the names of the kids, we can ask some questions. So far we’ve just told them to get out and stay out but it wasn’t worth hauling anyone in. We have enough real problems out there.”
    Santiago turned to her, his blue eyes intent. “How about if we just leave a note?”
    â€œA note?” It was impossible to look at him as if he wasn’t insane.
    â€œOn the door. Attach our cards and ask them to come forward. Mention we don’t give a shit about them getting into the school, but they could be heroes if they had info we need.”
    â€œOh sure, they’re going to call the police voluntarily.”
    The thickset officer said, “Hey, worth a try.”

 
    Chapter 10
    Georgia stirred her coffee and carefully set aside the spoon on a napkin. She said, “You’re particularly troubled why?”
    Rachel was an interesting patient. This was her regular appointment and today she seemed much different. More confident and less subdued, with a hint of gloss on her lips. She wore a tailored blazer over a much shorter skirt and shiny pumps with an actual heel. Today was obviously not a dark, worn flats sort of mood. She worked at a local hospital, she’d explained on her initial visit, in something to do with administration.
    â€œI’m having more trouble with my roommate. I might ask her to leave. I’m just not good at confrontation. Maybe you can help me.”
    Maybe, maybe not. She hadn’t decided yet if Rachel was a cooperative patient.
    â€œWhat has she done that bothers you besides the incident with the shoes?” Georgia could believe the confrontation part. Rachel was not the personality type to enjoy an argument.
    â€œShe borrows things and doesn’t ask.”
    â€œHave you considered talking to her about it?”
    Rachel lifted her head and