That makes sense, Jessie added. If the perpetrator knew enough to douse her in water to get rid of DNA evidence, and had raped her, hed likely have removed all her clothes to soak her everywhere. Lets go back to the neck. How pronounced was the break?

I mean, it was enough to kill her, Fustos replied.

I get that, but could you determine the force used? That might be able to tell us how strong the killer is.

Again, preliminary, but her skull was bobbing like a rag doll. Whoever did this was likely some combination of extremely strong, extremely angry, and/or extremely knowledgeable about how to break a human neck.

Everyone was quiet for a few seconds after that. In that moment, Jessie thought about Jasper Otis, and wondered whether he was might be capable of such brutality. Considering what she knew people to be capable of, it didnt seem like a stretch. Len Fustos finally broke the silence.

If youll let me leave, he said irritably, I can try to get more definitive answers to some of these questions.

Jessie nodded her acquiescence. That was all he needed to disappear from sight.

So I guess were at an impasse, Purcell said, trying to co-opt Fustoss attitude.

Karen looked at him like she thought he might be kidding.

Not quite, she said. I think wed like to talk to the guy who found her. Got a name?

Sure, he said. But I dont know that hell be of much use.

Why is that? Jessie asked.

When we spoke earlier he was so drunk or high or both that it was hard to get a coherent sentence out of him. He was also flipping out a little because of the whole finding a dead body thing.

Well, maybe hes sobered up a little in the interim, Jessie suggested. Do you have his address?

Yeah, but you wont need it, he said.

Why not? Jessie asked.

Because unless something has changed, hes about five hundred yards from here, passed out in a guest house.

CHAPTER FOUR

Cord Mahoney looked dead.

Apart from the slight whistle he made as he exhaled, there was no visible indication that he was any better off than Millicent Estrada. His body was stiff. His skin was waxy and because he was under the covers, there was no sign of his chest rising and falling. Jessie decided to make sure.

Wake up, Cord!

He shot bolt upright, flailing around wildly as he lost his balance and toppled off the valentine-shaped bed. Karen put her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. Detective Purcell scowled at her, and Matilda gasped softly. While they all waited for him to gather his wits, Jessie again marveled at the style of the guest house.