Chapters (48)
- MALICE
- Books by Lisa Jackson
- LISA JACKSON
- MALICE
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgments
- Author’s Note
- PROLOGUE
- CHAPTER 1
- CHAPTER 2
- CHAPTER 3
- CHAPTER 4
- CHAPTER 5
- CHAPTER 6
- CHAPTER 7
- CHAPTER 8
- CHAPTER 9
- CHAPTER 10
- CHAPTER 11
- CHAPTER 12
- CHAPTER 13
- CHAPTER 14
- CHAPTER 15
- CHAPTER 16
- CHAPTER 17
- CHAPTER 18
- CHAPTER 19
- CHAPTER 20
- CHAPTER 21
- CHAPTER 22
- CHAPTER 23
- CHAPTER 24
- CHAPTER 25
- CHAPTER 26
- CHAPTER 27
- CHAPTER 28
- CHAPTER 29
- CHAPTER 30
- CHAPTER 31
- CHAPTER 32
- CHAPTER 33
- CHAPTER 34
- CHAPTER 35
- CHAPTER 36
- CHAPTER 37
- CHAPTER 38
- CHAPTER 39
- EPILOGUE
“Don’t think so. DNA’s not back, but I’ll bet a year’s salary that the perp didn’t lick the flap of the envelope. These days everyone knows that shit if they watch any truTV or CSI, or NCIS, or Law & Order, or you name it.”
“It was a long shot,” Bentz admitted, spotting his exit.
“I’ve got the lab analyzing the type of ink on the doc, but it probably won’t be something that will help.”
“Doesn’t hurt to try.” Bentz eased up on the gas, flipped on his blinker, and slid into the exit lane.
“You know, this thing you’re doing, you should just give it up.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“I know you’re going out of your mind not working, but hell, can’t you do something else?”
“You mean something a little less insane?”
“Yeah. Golf would be good. Or fishing. Hell, we’ve got great fishing down in the Gulf.”
“I’ll think about it. I could buy me a new fancy pole and set of clubs in between my calligraphy and yoga classes.”
“Wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Then you, too. Sign us both up. And add in ballroom dancing. You’d look fantastic in one of those sparkly gowns.”
Montoya didn’t so much as chuckle. “You think you’re funny?”
“I know I’m funny.”
Montoya wasn’t laughing. He asked, “You see your ex-wife again?” Bentz hesitated as he drove onto the ramp. “Maybe,” he admitted, slowing for a red light. “Not sure.”
“Really?”
“Really. She phoned, too. Called me by the pet name she’d given me.”
“Right.”
“I’m just telling ya.”
“So what’re you doing about it?”
Should he tell the skeptic? Hell, why not? “I talked with one of Jennifer’s friends. She said James and Jennifer met in San Juan Capistrano, so I thought I’d drive down.”
“Are you kidding me? What does that have to do with anything? You think your dead brother is involved?” Montoya muttered some oath in Spanish, before adding, “This is sounding crazier by the second. I’ve been to San Juan Capistrano. A couple of times. There’s a history to it, man. The whole town is supposed to be rife with ghosts.”
“Kinda like New Orleans.”
“I mean it. That so-called friend of Jennifer is messin’ with ya. San Juan Capistrano? Come on. You tell this friend you’ve been seeing ghosts and she sends you to Capistrano. Give me an effin’ break.”
“She’s not a ghost,” he said, though in truth he was feeling haunted. Exactly what whoever was behind this wanted.
“Look I gotta go.” Bentz’s ridicule capacity was on overflow.