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

on speaker.
    “Hey there Chief!  How’s it going?  You’re awfully chipper,” Charlie observed.  It was then that Mark remembered he was supposed to chew out Charlie for his team missing the hidden picture at the victim’s house.  It occurred to him that Charlie also missed the boat on the idea Mark had; he wondered why Charlie hadn’t thought of it sooner.
    “Listen.  Is Karen Reed’s place still cordoned off?” he asked, lowering his key slightly.
    “Yup.  Sure is.  Toxicology hasn’t finished with her yet so until then the yellow tape remains.”  Charlie paused.  “Something on your mind?” he asked with caution.
    “As a matter of fact.  Um, was her vacuum checked?” 
    “Uh, I don’t think so. What do you mean? To see if it was working?”
    “No.  For hairs, objects, evidential matter.”  Mark shook his head.  “We don’t usually do that.  Most of that is usually contaminated,” Charlie answered matter of factly.
    “Well, her house was spotless and if she’s anything like my wife she doesn’t clean her vacuum often.  It’s worth checking out I think.” Mark paused.  “I can head over there now if you’d like.  It’s on my way.” 
    “Um, sure.  I can meet you there.  Nelson is due to be relieved anyway.”
    “See you then.”
    …
     
    Mark pulled up to Karen Reed’s house and saw Charlie’s van parked there.  Part of him wished they could make the ‘Crime Scene Investigators’ getup a little less conspicuous.  The van was the same as an ambulance or paramedic but with a big blue band around the centre and giant white lettering saying ‘CSI’ with smaller lettering underneath saying ‘Crime Scene Investigation’.  ‘ All that for a vacuum cleaner bag ’ Mark thought to himself.  Why Charlie couldn’t just bring the tackle box with all the evidence collection equipment was beyond him.
    Charlie exited the van and shook Mark’s hand.  “Hey, thanks for coming,” Mark said out of habit, regretting it the moment he did.  Why Charlie’s crew had missed the boat twice now was something he needed to pursue.  He needed the best investigative team possible and hated the thought of moving people around within the precinct.  Especially given that Charlie, the head of forensics, had been in power for so long.  He was disappointed that he hadn’t taken it upon himself to make changes.
    “After you.”  Charlie motioned to Mark to go on.  While Nelson stood at the door, holding it open.
    “Afternoon Nelson,” Mark said.  Nelson tipped his hat and then did the same to Charlie.
    “You can head back to the office son,” Charlie said.
    “Sure thing, Sir,” Nelson said and once again tipped his hat and then walked towards his car.
    Mark noticed the smell had gotten slightly worse.  “This place needs to be cleared out bad.  The neighbours are going to start complaining; we might have the Environmental Protection Agency coming in soon if it’s not looked after.” 
    “Can we get a rush on toxicology?”  Mark asked.
    “Um, they should be just about finished.  I’ll follow up.”  Charlie pulled out his cell phone and went back outside.
    Mark looked around.  ‘ Think like a woman ’.  He said to himself.  ‘ Where would I put a vacuum cleaner? ’  He opened the hallway closet door.  ‘ Bingo !’  The vacuum cleaner was a newer model similar to Shelley’s except it wasn’t an upright but a canister style.  The button release for the canister hadn’t even been dusted for finger prints.  He shook his head.
    Charlie re-entered with his tackle box and a small tool box and handed Mark a pair of rubber gloves.  “Toxicology will be done by the end of the day.  The lab will have everything they need by then.  We’ll just be waiting for the results after.” 
    Mark shook his head again, but not to approve.  Instead, he was nodding in disappointment.  Charlie picked up on the expression and became nervous.
    “Charlie, tell me.