my hunch is right about my earlier reaction to looking at it and the lack of any similar reaction now, Iâd venture to guess that it was changed pretty close to the time that we were all here earlier. Maybe the victim changed it before he was killed, but given how much time I imagine it must have taken to stage his supposed suicide, and how long we know my reactions typically last for something like this, I doubt it.â
Duncan gaped at me like Iâd just said the most inane thing heâd ever heard. For a moment, I thought Iâd made a fool of myself somehow, but then he grabbed me by the shoulders and said, âMack, youâre a bloody genius!â
We heard voices then, and Duncan went over to the door to meet with Jimmy, who had arrived with Theo, Will, and Cindy. I stayed inside the apartment while they talked outside in the hallway and, after a few minutes, Duncan came back inside with the threesome in tow.
âWhere is Shelly?â I asked Duncan.
âShe said she couldnât do it. She didnât want to come back here. Sheâs gone to stay at her motherâs place in Wauwatosa.â
Theo looked scared; his eyes darted back and forth nervously. Will and Cindy, on the other hand, appeared cool, calm, and indifferent.
Duncan turned to Cindy first. âWhen was the last time you were here?â
Cindy scrunched her face in thought for a few seconds and then said, âI donât know . . . a week or two, maybe.â She turned and looked at Will. âWhen did Dan invite us over for that pizza thing?â
âTwo weeks ago Friday,â Will said.
Cindy turned to Duncan with a smug smile and said, âThere you go, detective.â
I couldnât tell if she was lying. Her flame flared for a few seconds before settling back down. The only thing I was sure of was that she was a smooth operator who didnât rattle easily.
Duncan turned to Will. âHow about you, Will, when were you last here?â
Will thought a moment and said, âMonday, I think. Yeah, Monday. I gave Dan a ride home because his car was in the shop. He invited me in for a beer. I didnât stay long . . . maybe an hour or so.â
I had a strong sense that Will was telling the truth. The taste of his voice stayed consistently sweet, no more bitterness.
âHow about you, Theo?â Duncan asked. âWhen were you here last?â
His facial muscles started to twitch and he hesitated for a second or two. âUm . . . I think . . . it was last week some time.â The sweet cream taste of his voice, and consequently his credibility, became spoiled.
âHave you ever used this bathroom?â Duncan asked, pointing toward the room.
Theoâs eyes shifted even faster and I could tell he was trying to analyze his answer before he gave it. Was that because he was afraid? Guilty? Both? Iâd been feeling a bubbly, watery sensation on my arms and legs, as if they were immersed in carbonated water. At first it was very faint, but it had gotten progressively stronger as the amount of sweat dripping off Theoâs face increased. At the moment it felt like a spa tub jet.
âYeah, Iâve used it,â Theo said, trying unsuccessfully to not look rattled by the question. âWhatâs that got to do with anything?â
âWe just want to know where we might expect to find your fingerprints,â Duncan explained in a calm, relaxed voice. The bubbly sensation eased as I saw Theo sigh with relief, but it was a short-lived reprieve. âEver take a dump in there?â Duncan asked. He was still using his buddy tone and he smiled and tried to look abashed, I assumed to put Theo at ease. But it had the exact opposite effect.
âThatâs very personal,â Theo said.
Will scoffed a laugh, but Cindy was staring at Theo with a laser-sharp focus and a very intense expression.
âSometimes we have to get personal,â Duncan said. âSo, Iâm
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