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

death up until the cops arrived.” She straightened. “Have fun.”

“Oh, I’m sure we will,” said Mason.

“Let’s hope we see something the police didn’t,” said Trick.

“Handsome and smart as you are, I’m sure you will,” said Vicki, the side of her lip rising as she left the room.

“Son-of-a…,” said Trick. “I don’t think she liked me after all.”

Mason chuckled. “The truth hurts. That Trick Monroe swagger has its limits.”

“I don’t think she’s even married.”

Mason clicked on the screen. “I think you’re right.”

Trick shook his head. “Damned if I’m renting a three bedroom from her.”

“I think she’ll live,” said Mason. “Pay attention.”

They spent the next hour reviewing the footage, speeding it up when nothing was happening and slowing it down when there was activity. They saw a couple of cars come and go as residents went about their day, but no one approached Chad and Cissy’s apartment. At about ten thirty, Cissy left and returned about an hour later, carrying groceries, and within fifteen minutes the first patrol car arrived, and soon after, the parking lot became a sea of police.

Mason flipped off the video. “That wasn’t a big help. No one went near their apartment, other than Cissy.”

Trick fell back in his seat with a huff. “That doesn’t prove anything.”

Mason took a last sip of his water. “I don’t know what to tell you, Trick. If you want to prove Cissy isn’t the murderer, then you’re going to have to show someone else at the scene. These videos don’t do that.”

“Exactly,” said Trick. “They don’t show anyone entering the parking lot or heading down the walkway. They don’t show his front door.”

“Anyone heading to his front door would have had to pass these cameras,” said Mason.

“True, but who says they passed them that morning? Who says the murderer wasn’t already inside?”

“What are you saying?” asked Mason. “Someone was in their apartment, and they didn’t know it? Did you see their place? It was a one bedroom. Nobody’s hiding anywhere, and I don’t recall Cissy saying she had any guests.”

“No, you moron,” said Trick. “I’m not saying they were inside with Cissy and Chad.” He shifted and waved at the screen, “But that walkway leads to other apartments. Who says somebody didn’t come from one of them? We wouldn’t have seen that on the camera.”

Mason held the bridge of his nose and thought about it. “A neighbor was harboring a murderer and didn’t bother to mention that to the police?”

Trick’s brow furrowed. “You’ve been out of law enforcement too long. You’re assuming all those apartments are rented. What if one of them wasn’t?” He waited while Mason considered that. “It’s not a bad place to hang out and wait until an opportunity arises, and also the perfect place to hide until the heat dies down. Nobody’s checking out empty apartments while the police are investigating a murder.”

Mason realized it wasn’t altogether impossible. If there had been a vacant apartment near Chad and Cissy’s, someone could have easily shown up several hours, or even days earlier, jimmied the lock and waited, then left when the police did. “We need to talk to Vicki. See if there’s an empty apartment down that walkway.”

Trick stood. “Took you a while, but you finally made it there. You can do the talking, though. I don’t think I hold much clout with her.”

“If you’d stop trying to schmooze her, you might get somewhere.” Mason closed the laptop, and headed for the door.

“Schmooze? What the hell is schmooze? That sounds disgusting.”

“Which is why you should stop doing it.” He opened the door and saw Vicki at her desk, talking to a young couple. After waiting a few minutes, Vicki stood, shook the couple’s hands, and the couple left.

Mason approached her. “Thanks for allowing us to view the videos. The police were right. There wasn’t much to see.”

“Sorry to hear it,” said Vicki. “I wish I could be of more help.”

“Actually, you might,” said Mason. “Could you check and see if there is a vacancy near that apartment? Or if there was one at the time of the crime?”

Vicki straightened her jacket, and Mason could smell her flowery perfume. Trick stayed back and remained quiet.

Vicki appeared to think for a second, and then returned to her desk. “Actually, I think there is.” She typed on the keyboard and studied the screen. “Yes. It’s nine-fourteen, a two-bedroom, just two doors down from Mr. Howard’s.”

Trick stepped up. “How long’s it been vacant?”

“It looks like the tenant moved out a week before the murder.” She pointed and read the screen. “It’s been rented again though. Couple moves in next week.”

Mason made eye contact with Trick. “You mind if we take a look at it?” asked Mason.

Vicki looked up from the screen. “I thought you were in the market for a three-bedroom?” She glanced at Trick.

“I spoke too soon,” said Trick, holding his hat. “A two-bedroom makes more sense. A bed for me and one for anyone not wanting to share it with me.” He grinned. “Shocking as that may seem.”

Mason almost groaned. “We’d like to see it, if you don’t mind.”

Vicki offered Trick an unreadable expression, then reached into a drawer and pulled out some keys. “Okay. Suit yourself. Follow me.”

A couple minutes later, Mason followed Vicki down the walkway outside Chad and Cissy’s old apartment. They stopped outside a door further down, and Vicki unlocked it and stood aside. “It’s all yours.”

Mason stepped inside and Trick entered behind him. “And if you really are interested in renting,” said Vicki to Trick as he passed, “let me know, and I’ll give you some numbers.” She looked him up and down, and her cell rang. “I need to take this. I’ll be just outside.” Waving the phone, she walked out.

“That Monroe magic may be kicking in yet,” said Trick. “I think I got her curious.”

“More like ambitious. I think she senses potential business, not romance.” Mason walked around the empty living room. The carpet was vacuumed, the perfect lines etched into the pile. The