Out For Justice by Vicki Taylor Page A

they sat across the street. Sure enough, the front yard had little gnome statues. Chipped and faded looking, they matched the unkempt exterior of the house. The weeds grew tall where grass should be growing making the house look even smaller. Waving in the breeze, torn screens hung from dirty windows, some of the frames banging against the house.
    “Do you think this guy could be our killer?” Karen asked.
    “We’ll know soon enough. Stay alert. Who knows what kind of crap he’ll pull once he finds out who we are and why we’re here.”
    “Just let me run the tag on the car in the driveway.” Karen leaned over the computer to press the button to send the car’s license plate information.
    Sam leaned back against the headrest and shifted his body slightly. The rasp and crinkling of the mock leather seats echoed loudly in the car.
    “Here we go. Car’s registered to Thomas. Tag’s expired. Nothing else.”
    “All right, then. Let’s go see who’s home.”

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Susan tossed her shoes inside the locker and slammed the door shut. The rattle echoed across the tiles in the empty locker room.
    “Parker, you in there?”
    “Yeah, Mike. Sure am. Just finishing up.”
    “Move your ass. We got work to do.”
    “Hush your mouth, boy. You kiss your momma with that mouth?” Susan pulled on a light windbreaker and zipped it half way as she walked out of the locker room.
    “No, I kiss my momma with my other mouth. Sheesh.” Mike slid into step along side his partner. She was tall and walked nearly shoulder to shoulder with him. “What kind of crap are you giving me today?”
    “Whatever works.”
    “I am not one of your kids, Susan,” Mike said as he held the door for her to walk outside. The sun shone on her skin and reflected the color of coffee. Rich and dark. She was a beautiful woman with the eyes of a warrior queen. He knew life was hard on her, with no husband to help her take care of her three children, but she didn’t complain. She didn’t complain after her husband was shot on patrol after interrupting a burglary, and she didn’t complain when her youngest needed to attend a special needs school, and she didn’t complain now.
    “Good thing too. Or else there’d be hell to pay,” she told him.
    “Uh huh.” Mike checked his pockets to make sure he had everything he needed. “Looks like we got another dead body to deal with. Somewhere on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.”
    “Great. It’s raining dead bodies this week.” They walked across the parking lot toward their vehicle.
    “Seems that way.” Mike thought for a minute. “Wasn’t it like this last year about this time? Didn’t we have that floater in the Hillsborough River and then that shooting over at Radio Shack? Then that domestic violence call where some guy shot his ex wife and kids? Let’s keep our fingers crossed history isn’t repeating itself.”
    “I hear that.”
    They did a quick check of their vehicle to make sure they had all the supplies they needed then climbed into their black SUV. Susan let Mike drive. Mike knew he did a better job and she was smart enough to admit it. He handled the traffic better and found ways through back ups that she would be too timid to try.
    Once they turned off Lois Avenue and were heading toward State Route 60, Susan took over the conversation.
    “How’ve you been lately, Mike?”
    “Not bad. You?”
    “About the same. The kids are always up to something, but I got them well in hand. The oldest, he joined the band this year. Drum Corp if you can believe it. That’s all I need around the house is someone beating a drum. But, he likes it and I don’t want to spoil his dream.”
    “Jamal? Good for him.”
    “Yeah. That’s what I thought too.” Susan shifted slightly in her seat. “So, Mike. Are you seeing anyone lately?”
    “Nah. Not lately.” Mike cast a quick glance in Susan’s direction, taking his eyes off the road for a mere second. “Why?”
    “Just