Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

hand. “I’m Trick Monroe. Red’s former partner.”

Mason introduced Remalla and Daniels, and they shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” said Rem.

“You, too,” said Trick. The waitress came over and took his drink order. “You talking about Chad?”

“Not yet,” said Mason. “We were catching up.” He stirred his coffee. “Did Cissy make bail?”

“She did,” said Trick. “Thank God. Her parents mortgaged their house, and they’re in an extended stay hotel until we figure out what happens next. Cissy’s staying with them.”

“Glad to hear it. I’m sure she’s happy to be out,” said Mason.

“She’s a mess. Poor girl doesn’t know what’s going on.” Trick opened his menu. “I just hope we can help her.” He grimaced and put the menu down. “I think I’ll just stick to coffee.”

Mason raised a brow, but didn’t say anything.

“Speaking of helping, Rem and I did some digging, and put together some information on Chad’s case,” said Daniels.

“We even talked to the detectives investigating. Names are Bevins and…Winter?” Rem asked Daniels.

“Winkler,” said Daniels.

“Yeah. Winkler. They seem convinced of Cissy’s guilt and have their ducks in a row,” said Rem.

“It’s nonsense. Cissy didn’t kill Chad.” The waitress came over and filled Trick’s coffee cup. Trick sipped from it and Rem detected the slightest shake in his fingers. The waitress asked him about food but he waved her off.

Rem reached into his jacket and pulled out a folder folded lengthwise. “I guess you guys are going to find out. Here’s what we got.” He handed the file to Mason. “And remember, this is just between you and us. Got it? I doubt Bevins and Winter─”

“Winkler,” said Daniels.

“Whatever,” said Rem. “I doubt they’d be too keen on us sharing this with you.”

Mason opened the folder and grimaced.

“And maybe you should open it at home.” Rem reached over and raised the side of the folder so the neighboring table wouldn’t see inside. “I included crime scene photos.”

Trick glanced over, and his face turned white. “Aw, shit.” He swallowed and his face froze. He slid out from his seat. “Excuse me.”

Mason narrowed his eyes and watched him go.

“I know it’s his stepbrother, but with your history, I’m sure you two have seen worse,” said Daniels.

Mason closed the file and put it on the table. “He’s hungover. I could tell the moment he walked in.”

“He going to be okay?” asked Rem. “You think he can handle the truth if it turns out she did it?”

“He won’t have a choice,” said Mason, tapping a finger on the table.

The waitress returned, and Mason asked for a pitcher of coffee. “He’ll need it,” said Mason. Sighing, he patted the folder. “You learn anything interesting when you pulled this?”

Rem sipped his coffee. “From what we read, it looks pretty open and shut. Chad was alive when Cissy when to the store and dead when she came back. No forced entry. Nobody heard anything suspicious. A couple of neighbors said they heard the shot but thought it was a car backfiring. They couldn’t be sure at the time.”

“It couldn’t have been a suicide?” asked Mason.

Daniels shook his head. “Not based on Chad’s position and the weapon. There was no blood or gunshot residue on his hand. Plus, there were no outward signs. He was doing well at work based on the interviews with friends and family. Plus, Cissy had a life insurance policy worth a hundred grand on him.”

“What about Cissy? Any residue on her?” asked Mason.

“No,” said Daniels, “But Bevins and Winkler believe she wore gloves and changed clothes, then tossed them on the way to the store,” said Daniels.

“They think it was pre-meditated?” asked Mason.

“That’s what they’re going for,” said Rem.

Mason sighed. “I still don’t see a motive though, other than the insurance policy, which doesn’t make her a murderer. From what Trick says, they were a happy couple. They’d just moved out here. Chad was making good money, so why would Cissy need more? God knows she’d get alimony if they’d divorced. And from what Trick knew, they were looking for a house and planning a family.”

“Doesn’t mean she wasn’t unhappy,” said Rem. “We’ve seen people do worse for less. I’m sure you have, too.”

“But you can usually trace it back to something. A broken home, abuse, an affair. Addiction. I don’t see any of that here,” said Mason.

“That you know of,” said Daniels. “Keep in mind. Your only source of information so far is your friend.” He leaned back as the waitress arrived and put his salad in front of him. “And how long’s it been since you’ve seen him?”

Rem smiled as the waitress set his grilled cheese down. “Maybe you ought to go through the file first before you assume anything. We put phone and credit card info in there, too.” He picked up a fry and ate it.

“Thank you. That’s a huge help,” said Mason. “We’ll review it, and re-interview friends and family, plus check out Chad’s job. Hopefully, if there’s a red flag, it’s bound to show up.” The waitress gave him a plate of chicken salad. “Let’s hope there’s something there that’s more obvious to us than to Bevins and Winkler.”

“And let’s hope it points to someone other than Cissy or I sense more hangovers in Trick’s future,” said Daniels.

Mason glanced back toward the bathroom. “Let’s hope.”

Chapter Six

After treating Daniels and Remalla to lunch to thank them for their help, Mason returned to his car, and Trick followed. Reaching the driver’s side, he started to open the door, but stopped, his anger bubbling up. He faced Trick. “You want to tell me what the hell happened in there?

Trick, his eyes sunken and red, glowered. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re hungover. You can barely walk straight, and you reek of alcohol. Two detectives whose time is valuable stuck their noses out for me, and got us the information we need, and you embarrass me, walking in there, looking like you crawled out of a beer keg.”

Trick put his hand on the car hood. “Oh, c’mon, Red. Since when were