“Will do,” Hayes promised, and hung up. He’d called to tell Bentz that according to all outward signs, it appeared that Donovan Caldwell had killed himself. Rumors of suicide had been swirling since they’d found the body, and now detectives and crime-scene techs were beginning to confirm their suspicion. Of course, they would keep it all under wraps pending interviews with prisoners, guards, family, and friends. Also, before confirming suicide, the investigators would want to see the autopsy report, just to make sure there wasn’t any internal trauma to his body that hadn’t been evident, and that there were no toxins or drugs in his bloodstream. None was expected. The prevailing theory was that Donovan Caldwell had found a way to take his own life rather than spend his remaining years behind bars.

“Come in,” Bentz said to Bridges, then pocketed his phone. When Nellie Vaccarro appeared in the doorway, her pink lips compressed, he waved her away. “It’s okay,” he told her.

“It is definitely not ‘okay.’ I take my job very seriously, Detective Bentz,” she reminded him almost primly. She had a lot to learn about how this place ran. One bustling little receptionist wasn’t going to change things.

“I know, Nellie. I appreciate it, but Jase here, he’s okay. Might even end up being hired by the department. So, trust me, this time, it’s all right.” In truth he wasn’t overjoyed at seeing the reporter, but there was no reason to make a stink. After he’d given Bridges and the reporter from WKAM the brush-off at the crime scene, Bentz had determined that he could use a friend in the press. Bridges, being considered for the public information officer position, was as good a choice as anyone.

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

With a final don’t-get-used-to-messing-with-me look at Bridges, Nellie walked quickly down the hallway.

For his part, the reporter didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by her discomfiture and got right down to business. “I need some answers, Bentz.”

“About the homicide off of Chartres?”

“That, too,” Bridges said, “but the reason I’m here now is that I’m working with Brianna Hayward.”

Bentz nodded. Not surprised. “You want to know about the 21 Killer,” he surmised. “I’ve talked to Ms. Hayward, heard her theories.”

“And I found out that Donovan Caldwell died early this morning or late last night. I figure you, as an investigating officer of the original case, might know a little more than most.”

Bentz didn’t respond.

“Tell me about Donovan Caldwell. What happened?” Bridges prodded. “How did he die while incarcerated? An accident? Natural causes? Come on, he was a young man. There’s talk of suicide.”

“Twitter at its best,” Bentz muttered.

“It’s happened before.”