Look, Jessie said amiably, as she put on her gloves. I dont want to get into a pissing contest with you, Ernie. Im sure youve done a bang-up job so far. But Detective Bray is right. HSS has claimed this case. And as the assigned HSS primary, Ive tasked Bray with being my partner on this case. Your assistance is appreciated. In fact, its required. But you will be in a secondary role. So why dont you start filling your role and update us on what you have so far. Shall we check out the scene?

For a second Purcell looked like he might balk. But then he looked at Jessie, with her gloves on, and a nasty smile came over his face.

By all means, Ms. Hunt, he said with fake politeness, lets.

He extended his hands as if to welcome her into the bathroom. Unsure of the reason for the sudden change of heart, she stepped inside, with Karen right behind her. The second she looked around, her heart sank.

The bathroom looked immaculate. And there was no dead body in it.

CHAPTER THREE

Where the hell is the victim? she demanded.

Im surprised you didnt pass her on your way up here, Purcell replied with barely contained malice. She was taken out in a body bag ten minutes ago.

How could you let that happen? Karen demanded. This is a crime scene. It should have taken hours to properly document and clear it.

I couldnt wait hours, someone behind them said.

Both women stepped out of the bathroom to find themselves face to face with Jasper Otis. Jessie managed to keep her expression from changing, but only due to years of hiding her emotions from killers. Karen was slightly less successful as she gasped slightly at the sight of him.

Jasper Otis wasnt an especially imposing-looking man. He was of average buildaround five foot ten and 175 pounds. He had shaved off what was left of his thinning grayish-brown hair and wore glasses with lenses so thin, Jessie wondered if they were for show. He was tan, but not overly so. He was in good shape, but not so ripped that he looked like he was desperately chasing youth. His eyes were stunningly blue and piercing. They were the feature that pushed him from pleasantly bland into the mildly attractive camp.

In murder investigations, Jessie said, recovering quickly enough that her reply came naturally, the homeowner doesnt usually get to make those decisions.

Im so sorry, he said convincingly. My home has never been the scene of a crime before so I guess I didnt know the rules. Just the thought of a dead body in the shower I use every day was so unsettling, I had to do something. So I asked Carlotta and the housekeeping staff to move her to the sitting room. They used gloves and everything so their fingerprints wouldnt get on her.