Free Maddie Cochere - Two Sisters and a Journalist 01 - Murder Under Construction by Maddie Cochere

Jackie. “Come down to the station in the morning. I need you to run a photo of the murdered girl.”
    “Why?” I asked. “I thought your investigators had this all but sewn up.”
    “Those two knuckleheads found Sherry Clarke’s parents all right, but it didn’t go well when they were informed Sherry was murdered - probably by her pimp. Especially since Sherry is a junior in high school and spending the holiday with a girlfriend.”
    I saw Jackie put her hand over her mouth to conceal a smile. “I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” she said.
    He turned to Pepper and asked, “Any pie left?”
    She flashed a smile my way before saying, “Jo ate the last piece of blueberry, but I think there’s apple and peach left.” She led the Sergeant through the garage and into the house.
    Peach pie sounded like a good way to end the night. I left Stewie and his sweaty hands behind and headed for the kitchen.
     

Chapter Five
     
    “Good morning. Buxley Mortgage. May I help you?”
    There was no enthusiasm in my voice. The boss was out for the week, my co-workers were immersed in paperwork, and the insurance office next door was closed. There would be no schmoozing with the guys over there today. I was bored out of my mind, and so far, my eyes had been closed more than they were open.
    “Mr. McCray is out of the office until next week. May I take a message?”
    I hoped there would be no message. It was too much of an effort to write words on paper. I felt like I had a hangover. Not from beer, but from sugar. My lack of energy was startling.
    After filling out the pink While You Were Out form, I dragged myself into the break room for a third cup of coffee. It was only ten thirty, and it was going to be a brutally long day if I couldn’t stop yawning every few minutes.
    A box of donuts was open on the table. I poured a cup of coffee, grabbed the newspaper from the counter, and sat down to consider the sweet treats. I wondered who brought them in. There were never donuts in the break room. Brian McCray was into all things healthy and didn’t believe in eating sugar. According to him, it was “poison to the body.” He would have a conniption if he knew they were here.
    I selected a chocolate glazed beauty and set it on a napkin.
    The first bite was wonderful, and I let out a loud hmmm sound of approval. I devoured the donut and licked chocolate from my fingertips before sipping coffee and opening the folded paper. The front page took me by surprise. The headline read: Do You Know Her? Police Ask for Help in Identifying Murdered Woman . A picture of the very dead Ruby Rosewell appeared under the headline.
    I assumed Doug beat Jackie to the punch, but the by-line was Jackie’s. She must have talked with Sergeant Rorski last night and worked late to get the article in today’s edition.
    The picture was one taken by the photographer at the construction site. It was cropped to show only her face, but because it was black and white, and shot from a slight angle under her chin, the picture didn’t look like Ruby at all. There was no way this was going to help solve her murder.
    “What are you reading?”
    I looked up to see Stewie standing in the doorway. Watching from doorways was apparently his thing. I tossed the paper across the table and said, “Jackie put Ruby’s picture on the front page. Maybe they’ll get some leads, but I doubt it. It doesn’t even look like her.”
    He studied the picture for a few moments. “Nope. I’ve never seen her before.”
    I snickered. “Well, why would you? Do you find yourself in need of a prostitute often?”
    He didn’t appear to find humor in the question.
    “Jo, listen. I think we’ve been on the wrong foot lately. I like you. I’d like to get to know you better. How about giving me another chance? Let me take you out for dinner Saturday. We’ll make it casual and go early. I’ll pick you up around six.”
    Hmmm. Stewie. Dinner on Saturday. I didn’t know what it