Free Enemy Way by Aimée & David Thurlo Page A

cigarette lighter in sight. Wilson says that the victim didn’t smoke or keep a lighter around. The only matches I found were in a kitchen drawer.”
    “Any flammable substances she might have used?”
    “Not that we found easily accessible. Certain cleaning compoundsand items like aerosol hair spray can be turned into an effective weapon, but there were no signs of those being used here for that purpose.”
    Ella looked at Justine. “Take lab samples for spectral analysis. Something was burned in there besides cloth, and I need to know what and how.”
    Ella went inside, to Lisa’s bedroom and bathroom, and studied each location. There were no signs of hair gelor hair spray or other flammable material. All she could see were a few basics, like shampoo, hand lotion, and lipsticks which were scattered over the top of the dresser. A small bottle of expensive perfume stood on the far corner of the dresser. It was slightly dusty, as if rarely used.
    Ella was still searching through Lisa’s things, trying to get a fix on her, when Justine came in. “I’m goingto go talk to some of the neighbors. Maybe one of them saw a kid or a car or something that can help us.”
    Ella waved her hand over the dresser. “By the way, there’s no hair gel or petroleum jelly here. If that’s what the goop on the wall is, it probably belongs to one of the intruders. Let me know for sure what it is as soon as you can? That might help narrow down some suspects.”
    “Will do. Bythe way, Wilson couldn’t think of anything else that might help us out, so I offered to drive him home or back to the college. But he refused. I explained that he can’t stay here, but I don’t think he heard a word I said.”
    “I’ll take care of it.” Ella returned to the kitchen and found her friend sitting in exactly the same position she’d left him in. “What can I do to help you?” she asked, sittingnext to him.
    “Catch her killer.” He looked up and met Ella’s gaze. “That’s the only thing that means anything to me now.”
    “It won’t bring her back,” Ella said gently. “I went through many of the feelings you’re experiencing now when I lost my dad. But after his killers were caught, all I felt was empty.”
    He shook his head as if dismissing her answer. “I want them to pay for what they did. I’msure you can understand that.”
    “Yes, I do. But it won’t be enough. You’ll still have to handle the grief and the anger.”
    Wilson looked up at her, anger flashing in his eyes. “There was a time when you and I were close, but we’re different people now. Stop telling me what I should feel and what I should do.”
    Ella felt Wilson’s anger, and understood the sorrow that fueled it. “You’re still myfriend,” she said softly. “I care about you.”
    “I’ve barely seen you in months. We used to correspond through email, though we lived only a few miles from each other. But lately we haven’t even done that. We’ve gone separate ways and that’s fine. That’s, in fact, all I want now. I need time to myself. Take your cop friends and go. I’m not interested in your pity.”
    “I’m not offering any,” shesaid in a hard voice. “I know that’s not what you need. But I’m still going to see you and talk to you as much as you’ll allow. I want to help you make it through this if I can.”
    Wilson met her gaze and held it unflinchingly. “Your love in life has always been your job, but, for all your dedication, you couldn’t prevent this. Don’t worry about calling me on the phone. Just make sure that justiceis done.”
    The words stung, just as he’d meant them to. They’d been friends for too long not to know each other’s vulnerabilities. It took a close friend to cut one so deeply.
    Ella said nothing, determined not to meet his anger with her own. Whether or not he admitted it, their friendship was something that had existed for too long to simply fade away. She would honor that.
    “Listen to me