Free The Devil in Gray by Graham Masterton

feeling pretty faint. But I’m sure I didn’t lose consciousness. I saw Alison fall down, but I swear to God there was nobody there.”
    â€œYou realize you’re not exactly helping your own defense?”
    â€œI don’t need a defense. I know that I was the only other person in the house but I didn’t do it. It was like she was attacked by somebody invisible.”
    Hicks took out his notebook. “You interested in military memorabilia at all, Mr. Maitland?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œYou know … guns, knives, battle flags, that kind of stuff.”
    Jerry shook his head.
    â€œYou’ve never owned, like, a sword, or a bayonet?”
    â€œNo, of course not. But this man in this picture … he’s carrying some kind of a sword, isn’t he?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Decker said. “It’s a bayonet, as a matter of fact, and our medical examiner is of the opinion that your Alison was killed by a very similar weapon.”
    Jerry stared at him. “So it’s possible that he might have done it? Even though I didn’t see him?”
    â€œThat’s what we’re trying to establish. The only problem is, there were more than forty people in the immediate vicinity of your house when this guy was walking out of the front door, and only one of them saw him.”
    â€œMaybe they just didn’t notice him.”
    â€œDressed like that? In broad daylight?”
    â€œI guess so,” Jerry admitted. “But it doesn’t make any sense at all, does it?”
    Decker stood up. “You’re right. It doesn’t. So we’re still left with the circumstantial evidence that you killed Alison. You realize that if you admit it, the DA will go much easier on you.”
    â€œEspecially if you remember what you did with the weapon,” Hicks put in.
    Jerry shook his head even more emphatically. “I can’t admit it, because I didn’t do it. I never owned a bayonet and I never touched a hair of Alison’s head.”
    â€œOkay,” Decker said. “The doctors say that you’ll be fit enough to go in front of the judge on Tuesday. In the meantime, you know how to get in touch with me if you have a sudden revelation.”
    â€œYou’re going to look for this man, though?”
    â€œOh, sure. We have to. Elimination of suspects, no matter how unlikely.”
    Jerry frowned at the drawing again. “He reminds me of somebody. I can’t think who.”
    â€œYou think you might have seen him before?”
    â€œI don’t know … there’s just something familiar about him. I can’t think what it is.”
    â€œWell, if it comes to mind …”
    â€œSure,” Jerry said.
    They left the room. “What do you think?” Decker asked Hicks.
    â€œI think he did it. I’m sure he did it.”
    â€œWhat about the So-Scary Man?”
    â€œDidn’t exist. Come on, Lieutenant, Sandra’s mentally challenged. I know she draws good, but a good drawing isn’t evidence, is it?”
    â€œYeah, you’re right,” Decker agreed. “It’s just that—why the hell did he do it?”
    As they walked past the nurses’ station, the helmet-haired nurse called out, “Lieutenant!”
    â€œYes? Oh, I’m sorry, nurse. We’re through with Mr. Maitland for now.”
    â€œOh, that’s all right. I just wanted you to know that I do like Mexican food. In fact, I like it very much.”
    Decker looked at Hicks in desperation but all Hicks could do was grin.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Decker asked her.
    â€œMarion.”
    â€œOkay, Marion. Next time I call by, I’ll bring you my recipe for cheese empanadas .”

CHAPTER NINE
    They were driving back to headquarters when Decker’s cell phone played Beethoven.
    â€œMartin.”
    â€œDecker? It’s Rudisill. The captain wants you over at 2024 Laburnum