Free Sandman by Morgan Hannah MacDonald Page B

could make it, come on in. I’ll have John fix you a drink. I’m just finishing up with the salad.”
    “Smells great,” Thomas had just stepped into the house when Malone appeared from the back.
    “Hey, get your ass in here and close the door, you’re letting all the flies in.” He slapped Thomas on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you. You want a scotch or beer?”
    “Beer, thanks.” Malone disappeared into the kitchen, then Thomas heard his booming voice, “It’s Corona, you want a lime with that?”
    “Yeah, that’d be great,” Thomas yelled back, wandering into the living room where Danny was busy playing his new game.
    “Hey, Sport, where’s your sister?”
    “In her room playing dolls, or something stupid like that.” Danny concentrated on the screen.
    Thomas laughed.
    Malone entered carrying two bottles with lime wedges stuck in the tops. “Come on, let’s go out back while Gail finishes up with dinner.”
    Thomas snagged the offered beer and followed his friend out the sliding glass door to the covered patio. They sat in a couple of rattan chairs that faced the yard. Malone set his beer on the glass table between them and took out a cigarette.
    “Want one?” Malone absent-mindedly offered the pack.
    “No, thanks. Trying to quit.” Thomas had never smoked.
    “Shit, what was I thinking? Misery loves company, I guess.” Malone lit up and took a long drag, then blew out the smoke. “I think I’ve quit about a dozen times.” He turned to Thomas. “How you holding up?”
    “I’m fine, but Harris thinks I should see a shrink.” Thomas focused on the swing set straight ahead on the grass.
    Malone was silent a moment. “Might not be a bad idea.”
    Thomas jerked his head in his friend’s direction. “I’m not some fucking nut case.”
    “Whoa.” Malone put his hands up in front of him. “I’m just saying, it’s gotta be rough, man. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Gail. Especially the way Victoria died. I don’t think I’d ever recover.”
    “I don’t let my personal life affect my job. If anything, I’m a hell of a lot better detective,” Thomas said through gritted teeth. “No distractions, I work twenty-four-seven, and I have the highest arrest rate in the department.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the yard.
    “That’s what I’m saying, buddy. It’s time you got a life.”
    “It’s time for dinner.” Gail stood at the open screen.
    ***
    After dinner, Thomas excused himself to go out to his car. He met up with Malone on the back patio, a lit cigarette already in his hand and two fresh bottles of beer on the table. He took a seat with the VICAP file in his lap.
    “I wanted to get your input on the Sandman case.”
    “I’ve seen the photos. This guy’s a real piece of work.”
    Thomas read the four previous cases for him, handing him the crime scene photos as he went. Then he summarized the information on his own victims.
    Malone scratched his chin. "Yup, you’ve got a serial killer on your hands.”
    “I was thinking of asking Harris if I could have you help me with this case. You willing?”
    “Sure, if you can get him to go for it.”
    “Thanks, buddy. I was looking at the first one, the girl in San Francisco?”
    Malone nodded.
    “I’m certain it’s the same guy, I feel it in my gut. Maybe her death was an accident. It’s crude, sloppy. When he realizes she’s dead, he panics and takes off. There are marks around her neck as if he strangled her, but she died by blunt force trauma to the back of the head.”
    “Okay.” Malone ground out his cigarette, turned toward Thomas and gave him his full attention.
    “Picture this. The guy’s on top of her, raping her, he has his hands around her throat. She’s screaming, and he’s knocking her head against the ground.”
    “Or a rock,” Malone interjected.
    “Right, or a rock. He’s yelling at her to shut up all the while throttling her neck and slamming her up and down.