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

“Whoever did this was good.”  She handed him the bracelet.  “What’s your plan with this?” 
    “I’m going to head out to Sarah’s and see if she can help.”  He answered, shrugging on his jacket.  Lisa smiled “Oh, I’d completely forgotten about Shelley’s friend.   That’s a great idea.”  she said, high fiving him.
    Mark put his index finger up to his temple.  “I’m not just good lookin’ ya know.”  He winked and placed the bracelet back in the bag.  “I’ll be on cell for the next few hours.” 
    “Drive safe.” 
    …
     
    As Mark arrived at Sarah’s place, his cell phone rang.  He pulled the emergency brake, turned off the ignition and grunted in irritation.  His bladder was about to burst.  The screen said it was Shelley.
    “Hey babe, I’m in a bit of a rush here.  What’s up?”  he said, gathering the evidence bag.
    “Oh not much, I just wanted to let you know the girls are safe back at their dorms.  They called late last night when you went to bed and I didn’t get a chance to tell you this morning.”
    “Oh good.  I wondered.  I hadn’t heard anything.  But you know, no news is good news.”  he said, trying to hurry the conversation along.
    “Did you remember to take your medicine this morning?”  she asked.
    Mark sighed.  “Yes, I took it right before I left.  Listen, I’m about to burst here.  I finished a coffee before I left and I’m dying here,” he said, trying to make light.
    “Oh.  Okay.  Call me later then.  Love you.”
    “Sure will.  Love you too.”
    Mark walked briskly to the entrance and opened the door.  The bell went off and both Sarah and Vera greeted him.  He pointed toward the washroom door and headed there.  They both nodded.
    When he finished and found Sarah again, she was waiting for him with some small instruments and a duo tang folder.  Vera was off to the opposite side serving a customer.
    Sarah’s jewellery store was rather small but held a wide assortment of both costume and traditional items.  Most were custom made by local artisans.  One of a kind pieces that men or women of all ages would purchase.  She sold everything from earrings and necklaces to bracelets and watches. 
    Glass display cases were arranged in a U-shape and they held more expensive items.  In the middle of the cases were about ten floor mounted swivel displays.  Some were open and others were locked.  Towards the cash registers Sarah kept a few small displays for children’s jewellery.
    Certain days of the week Sarah had a chosen jewellery designer hired to work in the back with either new orders or repairs. 
    “Hey Trouble.  Is it getting busier in here?”
    “Somewhat, but we’ll have more traffic tomorrow when Dan, the art man, is in.  So, let’s have a look at this bracelet.”  Sarah said, motioning to the file Mark placed on the display counter.
    Mark opened it and pulled the copy of the picture out of the file.  Sarah examined it.  “This is just a run of the mill Swarovski.  You can buy it at any jewellery or gift store.  It’s not even that old.  Like two or three years I’d say.”  She handed it back to Mark.  He grimaced. 
    “Damn.  I was hoping it would be something we could trace.”
    Sarah stared blankly at him for a second.  “There wasn’t any evidence at all?  No fibres or fingerprints or anything?”
    “Nothing.  The guy or person must have only ever been in her house when she was killed.”
    Vera motioned to Sarah to join them when she had a second.  Sarah lifted her up index finger, indicating she’d be there in a minute.  Mark put the picture back in the file. 
    “Thanks for your help.  Talk to you later,” he said and saluted Vera on his way out.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    An idea sprang into his head as Mark ate his sandwich while speed dialling Charlie’s office. 
    “Charlie!”  Mark said, his voice exuberant, with his phone