Merciless

Merciless by Diana Palmer Page A

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Authors: Diana Palmer
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detective, like my dad, and get to go to crime scenes.”
    â€œYou watch too many crime television shows, Phyllis.” Betty chuckled.
    Phyllis gave her a blank stare.
    â€œYou know, those forensic programs that deal with trace evidence solving big cases,” Joceline said helpfully. “They call it fiction.”
    â€œSo many people don’t know the difference.” Betty sighed. “Now juries are so clued up that they argue with attorneys about trace evidence in murder trials. They watch a television show a few times and think they’re qualified to rule on pathological evidence.”
    â€œYes, it’s nothing like what they show on television,” Phyllis said. “Bodies are so clean and tidy. In real life, the blood is everywhere. It splashes around like paint…” She stopped because they were staring at her silently. “Oh, my dad lets me look at file photos sometimes,” she said quickly. “To teach me how evidence is really gathered.”
    â€œI see,” Betty said, but she was visibly uncomfortable.
    â€œSome of those shows are just a little too graphic for me, especially when my son might walk in and see somethingthat would give him nightmares,” Joceline said with a smile.
    â€œI was never squeamish, even when I was little,” Phyllis scoffed. “That murder case we worked on with Mr. Blackhawk was really fascinating, the one that Jay Copper got arrested for,” she added suddenly. “Aren’t you working with a file about that Hancock man? Digging out information about his past?”
    â€œI’m trying to run down stuff. I got some rap sheets from San Antonio P.D. this morning. They’re on my desk. I haven’t had time to input the information. I may have to sign them out and do it at home.”
    â€œI guess it’s a long rap sheet,” Phyllis said.
    â€œVery.”
    â€œSuch a sad case, the Kilraven murders,” Betty said. “Imagine, someone killing a child like that.”
    â€œKids, adults, a life is a life.” Phyllis shrugged. “They all die the same.”
    â€œYou have a different outlook when you have a child,” Joceline said tautly.
    Phyllis assumed a smile. “Well, of course you do.”
    Betty sipped more coffee. “I worry about Monroe’s threats,” she said somberly. “Mr. Blackhawk seems to think it’s a joke, but the man is dangerous. His wife’s uncle taught him how to be a monster, and his brother-in-law is a terror.”
    Joceline nodded. “Jay Copper is going to do some very hard time, if he manages to avoid the needle,” she addedmeaningfully. “Imagine ordering the death of a woman and a small child!”
    â€œAnd I’m sure that he did order it, despite all his denials,” Betty said grimly. “Dan Jones may have done the actual killing, but Jay Copper was behind it. If they can just convict him, is the thing. I hope they do.”
    â€œMr. Blackhawk is supposed to meet an informant tonight at seven,” Joceline said heavily. “He refuses to have a bodyguard. He doesn’t think Monroe is a threat.”
    â€œThat’s foolhardy,” Betty said. “Look what happened to Detective Marquez when he went to meet some shadowy informant.”
    Marquez had been blindsided and hospitalized. Joceline was uneasy about the meeting tonight. “Mr. Blackhawk takes chances.”
    â€œOh, I’m sure he’ll be all right,” Phyllis said airily. She glanced at her watch—a very expensive one. “Gosh, I have to get back to work. Thanks for the coffee.”
    She left without putting change in the kitty that helped pay for renewing the canteen supplies. Without a word, Betty took a bill out of her pocket and placed it in the container.
    â€œYoung people.” She sighed.
    Joceline smiled. “You’re nice.”
    â€œThanks. So are you.”
    â€œI do hope they can convict Jay

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