Free The Wife of a Lesser Man (LA Cops Series Book 1) by Sandy Appleyard

phone?” 
    “No, she had one through work but she didn’t use it for anything personal.  She shut it off when she wasn’t on call.”
    “Did she ever give you the number?” 
    “No, like I said, it wasn’t for personal use.  She was a Child and Youth Worker…but I’m sure you already knew that .”  Mark could hear the condescending tone again. 
    “That’s fine.  We can contact her employer for it.  We need to get her call records is all.” 
    “I don’t see how that would be any help.  She only spoke to her clients with it.  I’m sure this wasn’t a job a child could have done.  Although in that neck of the woods, who knows….”
    “Thank you for your time Martha.  We’ll be in touch.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    …
     
    “Any luck?”  Lisa asked, opening the door.  Mark saw her rise from her chair the moment he hung up the phone.  She must have been watching the line the whole time.
    Mark sighed, “Now there’s a piece of work.”  Lisa crossed her arms, waiting for the details.
    “It’s no wonder Karen moved far away from her mother.  She’s more upset that nobody has followed up with her than she is that her daughter is dead.”  Mark stared at the ink blotter on his desk, he shook his head in disbelief.
    “Maybe the friend will have more insight,” Lisa suggested.
    Mark lifted his hand and scratched his head.  “Maybe.”  He lowered his hand and looked directly at Lisa. “Do we have that picture of her with the bracelet around?  I’ve got another idea.”
    “Yeah, sure.  I’ll have someone from evidence bring it up,” Lisa said, closing the door.
    Mark retrieved his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and navigated through his address book.  When he found the number he needed, he picked up the phone and dialled.
    “Good morning Sarah’s.”  She answered cordially.
    “How’s your morning so far, Trouble?  Have you scared away your customers with all the turkey farts?” 
    Sarah laughed.  “No, but I’ve had to send Vera out to run errands more than usual.” 
    “How sweet she is I don’t have the heart to fart!” 
    They both laughed and Sarah said “Whoops!  There’s another one!” 
    Mark added, “We could do this all day!”  They kept laughing until they were short of breath. 
    “Okay, okay…I know the Chief of Police isn’t calling me to ask how my ass smells today, so what can I do for you?”  Sarah asked, wiping her eyes from the tears of laughter.
    Mark sniffled and wiped his eyes as well.  “Well, I was wondering if you could help me with a bracelet.” 
    “What for Shelley?  You want to buy her another gift?” 
    “No, no.  It’s actually a piece of evidence from a murder we’re investigating.”  There was a pause.
    “Oookay.  There’s a request I wasn’t ready for.”
    “Sorry to catch you off guard.  I’m kind of in a bind with this one.  Do you mind if we meet up and I can show it to you?  It’s not actually a bracelet.  It’s just a picture of the victim wearing it when she was alive.” 
    “That’s okay, it’s cool.  Um.  It’s probably better if you can bring it to me.  I have my equipment and reference material here.”  Sarah coughed at the end of her sentence.
    “Sure.  Will you be around all day?”  Mark asked after she cleared her throat.
    “Yup.  Vera and I will both be here.  It’s pretty busy today since we were closed yesterday.  Everyone’s getting a leg up on Christmas shopping.”
    “Great.  I’ll be in touch.” 
    …
     
    Mark checked his watch and went into his lunch pouch to retrieve his medication.  His coffee was cold but he gulped down the last sip to wash down his pill.  As he swallowed he saw Lisa come around the corner with a clear plastic evidence bag in her hand.  She opened it up and retrieved the picture.
    “I don’t suppose they were able to get any prints off it were they?”  Mark asked, hopeful.
    Lisa shook her head with a smirk.