“Then that’s not breaking and entering.” Jack smiled. “Val, when you have legitimate means to access a residence or establishment then nothing you’re doing, when you enter, is criminal. I seem to remember pointing this out to you before.”

He did. On another case. Nonetheless, Val hesitated. Having the ability to go in still doesn’t make it right. “Because I can doesn’t mean I should.”

“Come on, I know you want to do it,” Jack tempted. “A want overrules a should.”

She did want to. A lot. At least the crime scene tape had been removed, making it look a little less wrong to enter. “Jack, one day you’re going to get me fired, or arrested.”

“Neither has happened yet.”

“Yah, I keep spinning the bullet in that revolver.” Val pulled out her phone. “The combination should be listed in the report. Let’s see if it’s here.” She scrolled for a few seconds. “There it is.”

She punched in the correct numbers and the box opened. She pulled out the key. “Once we’re inside, keep your gloves on.”

Jack smiled. “I’m pretty familiar with the drill. I do know how to not get my fingerprints on anything.”

Val ignored him and slipped in the key. Her heart pounded as the two entered the parlor. No foyer, just right into the parlor, which was typical in these small homes. The shoe mat was next to the door. She looked around quickly. A lone lamp illuminated the room. Just as she thought: it was plugged into a timer in the wall socket. Another light came from a room down the hall. The kitchen maybe?

“Now Dr. Knight, tell me what you see as you walk through this house. Then, I’ll tell you what I see, what you missed. Should be educational for you.”

“Not my first time at the rodeo. I plan on getting an A on this test.” Val slipped off her boots. Jack did the same.

“Then earn one.”

“Maybe, as we go through this, I’ll point out what you missed.” Val gave him a sharp, sideways glance.

“Of course you might.” Jack smiled, patting her on the arm. “Now, tell me what you see. The first thing you notice.”

Val hesitated.

“Quickly now. What’s your gut instinct?” Jack pressed.

“This house is clean and neat,” Val said. It certainly was, well besides the obvious signs the crime scene crew had come through here—fingerprint powder still stained most of the surfaces anyone would have touched. In the parlor sat a beige couch, two navy chairs and a console with a flat screen TV. No toys, no mess or disorder… hell it looked like no one ever used this room.

“Gabrielle was a single mother living with a young boy. She worked a full-time job. Should this house be clean and neat?”