Free Life in Death by Harlow Drake

suit jacket and left. She felt his departure more than she wanted to. He’d made her feel comfortable, safe, and wanted. She’d almost forgotten she could feel that way and it was wonderful.

CHAPTER 16
    “As you can see, she’s been burned beyond recognition thanks to the accelerant dumped on her.” Dr. Chiba waved a gloved hand up and down the length of the cadaver. “I ran the victim’s fingerprints. Since Mina Steele is a government employee, her data would be in the system, but no match to Jane Doe here.”
    “You don’t think this is Mina Steele’s body?” Cobb asked. “Then who the hell is she?”
    The doctor shook his head. “We’ve got to wait for dental records.”
    Cobb threw his arms up. “For how long?”
    Nicolet glared at him.
    “Be of good faith, Detective.”
    “What else can you tell us?” Cobb forced a more congenial tone.
    Dr. Chiba held up the victim’s arm and made a circular motion above the wrist. “There are ligature marks on her wrists and ankles.”
    “They tied her down?” Nicolet asked.
    “No doubt about it.” The doctor lowered her arm, then turned her head and pointed to the back of her skull. “Also, there’s significant blunt force trauma here.”
    Dr. Chiba turned her head back and pulled off his gloves. “That’s not what killed her though. The fire did.”
    “Fuck.” Cobb shook his head. Nobody should go that way.
    “One more thing,” Dr. Chiba said. “You guys gave me Mina Steele’s info, but the details don’t match. You said Mina’s father told you she broke her left arm at six. There’s no sign this woman has ever broken any bones. I’d say this isn’t Mina Steele.”
    “So where is Mina?” Nicolet asked. “And who’s this?”
    “And why would someone want us to believe this is Mina?”
    “Don’t know, boys. That’s for you to find out.” The doctor covered the cadaver, then left the room.
    “No shit, Sherlock,” Cobb glared at Dr. Chiba’s back.
    ***
    Nicolet pulled up to the driveway and parked.
    “Why are we here?” Cobb asked.
    “I talked to some of Mina Steele’s neighbors, and they all directed me to the same busybody, Mrs. Margaret Reynolds, who just happens to be here with her daughter.”
    “Nice work.”
    Cobb didn’t often give out compliments, so Nicolet would take what he could get.
    Melanie Roberts showed them into the living room, where Mrs. Reynolds sat, a grey cat perched in her lap. The 63-year-old had sun kissed skin, shoulder length blonde hair, and blue eyes. As soon as she noticed the detectives, she stood, her hands smoothed over her black slacks.
    “Who do we have here, dear?” Mrs. Reynolds asked her daughter.
    “Detective Cobb and Detective Nicolet are here to see you.”
    Mrs. Reynolds extended her hand to both men. She lingered a little longer with Cobb.
    Melanie gestured for them to sit in the wingback chairs adjacent to the sofa her mother sat on, and then excused herself. Mrs. Reynolds squirmed in her seat and angled her body toward Cobb.
    Nicolet held back a laugh. He’d never seen a woman take an interest in Cobb until now. Probably because Cobb chased women far younger than himself.
    “Mrs. Reynolds, we need to ask you some questions,” Cobb said.
    “Of course, Detective,” she replied and batted her eyes at him.
    Cobb cleared his throat. “We’ve reviewed your statement. We just have a few more questions.”
    Mrs. Reynolds’ cat rubbed itself against Cobb’s leg. He used his foot to push the cat away, but the cat wouldn’t stop. Even cats love him. Nicolet stifled another laugh.
    “I’m sorry, Detective. Let me get her.” Mrs. Reynolds scooped her cat up into her arms.
    “Thanks.”
    “He’s a very handsome man, isn’t he, Violet?” she said to her cat, then flashed Cobb a smile.
    Cobb ignored her. He doesn’t even know how to take a compliment.
    “Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt Mina?” Cobb asked.
    “I’m sorry, I don’t.”
    “Can you help us re-create