Decker copied the number on his notepad. “What can you tell me about them?”

“He’s around sixty, she’s younger…maybe forty. They have two teenage boys—fifteen and thirteen. I think he also has a son from another marriage. God, this is awful!”

The dead woman seemed older than her teens, so the boys didn’t pop out as primary suspects. Still, they needed to be looked at. “How old is the son from the first marriage?”

“I have no idea.” Wald blanched. “Why are you asking?”

“Routine questions. I’ll want to contact everyone associated with the spot,” Decker said. “Do you know his name?”

“No.”

“I’ll get it from the homeowners. Could you to come take a look at the body? See if she looks familiar to you?”

“Me?”

“We don’t have her identification yet. Maybe she’s someone in the neighborhood.”

“I don’t spend a lot of time checking out the ladies. When I’m here, I work.”

“If you’d just take a look at her, I’d appreciate it.”

“Oh God.” Wald heaved a sigh. “All right.”

“Thanks.” Decker walked him over to the crime scene and for the second time in ten minutes uncovered the sheet to reveal the face. She was still bloated and purple, but her features were recognizable as those of a young woman. He could now clearly make out the deep purple ligature mark that had cut into her neck at the Adam’s apple.

He could now say with confidence that the corpse wasn’t Terry McLaughlin.

One less thing to deal with…or more to deal with. Terry was still missing.

Wald gagged and slapped his hand over his mouth. “Never seen her before.” He turned tail and walked away.

Decker covered her face and caught up with Wald. “Thank you for helping.”

“Was that really necessary? Now I’m gonna have nightmares.”

“Did you call the inspector?” Decker said.

“Oh yeah, let me do that right now.” He punched some numbers into his BlackBerry. Five minutes later, he said, “Can’t get hold of the man. Shit!”

“Don’t worry about it,” Decker said. “We’ll take care of him. I’m going to need a list of all the people that have worked here. That shouldn’t be too difficult since you’re only at the framing stage.”

“I’ve had the same guys for three years. It isn’t one of them.”

“I’ll need that list anyway.” Decker looked around for another notepad and gave it to Wald. “Put down anyone associated with this project starting with the homeowners.”

“Anywhere I can sit down?”

Decker rounded up Officer Breckenridge. “Could you escort Mr. Wald to a cruiser so he can write down some information for me?” He heard Marge call his name, turned around, and walked over to her and the crime scene. “What’s up?”