Cause to Kill (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1) by Blake Pierce Page B

view.
    “This is some place,” he said. “Only a studio, but grand. Look at
this view. Wow . You must love looking out at the river.”
    “Let’s get this over with,” George said.
    Avery pulled a chair and sat down facing George.
    “We’re looking into the murder of Cindy Jenkins,” she said. “We
thought you might be able to help us, seeing as you were one of the last people
to see her alive.”
    “A lot of people saw her alive.”
    The words were meant to sound tough, but there was pain in his
eyes.
    “We were under the impression you liked her.”
    “I loved her,” he said. “What does that matter? She’s gone
now. No one can help me.”
    Ramirez and Avery shared a look.
    “What does that mean?” Ramirez asked.
    “The way I understand it,” Avery said, “you left the party right
after her.”
    “I didn’t kill her,” he declared, “if that’s what you mean. I left
the party because she practically stumbled out of the door. I was worried about
her. I couldn’t find her when I got downstairs. I had to say goodbye to a few
people. Ask around. That’s the truth.”
    “Why would you need to say goodbye to anyone?” Ramirez asked. “If
you were in love with her, and worried, why wouldn’t you just help?”
    “Talk to my lawyer.”
    “You’re hiding something,” Ramirez pointed out.
    “I didn’t kill her.”
    “Prove it.”
    George lowered his gaze and shook his head.
    “She ruined my life,” he said. “She ruined my life and now you’re
trying to ruin my life too. You think you’re so important.”
    Ramirez gave Avery a look as if to say this kid is loco ! and moved out to admire the spectacular view from the terrace.
    Avery knew better. She’d seen his type before, both as an attorney
and a cop. There was something damaged about him, and powerful. Coiled and
ready to strike, she thought, just like some of the gang members she’d
interviewed: an innocence mixed with indignation that quickly turned to
violence. A hand went to her belt. Her fingers slid close to her holster
without actually making a move toward the gun.
    “What did you mean by that, George?” she asked.
    When he looked up, his body was flexed. A wild grimace marred his
features. Eyes were wide and lips pulled in. He cringed. On the verge of tears,
he sucked it back.
    “ I matter ,” he cried.
    A cocky swagger took over. He stood up and extended his arms wide.
Tears came and surprised him, and he then he gave in to the tears.
    “ I matter ,” he sobbed and squatted down.
    Avery stood up and moved away, hand close to her gun.
    “What’s this all about?” Ramirez asked.
    “Leave him alone,” Avery said.
    Oblivious to the desperation that reeked out of their broken
suspect, Ramirez squatted down beside George and said: “Hey, man, it’s OK. If
you did it, just admit it. Maybe you’re crazy or something. We can get you
help. That’s why we’re here.”
    George stiffened and went still.
    A whisper came from his lips.
    “I’m not crazy,” he said, “I’m just sick of you people.”
    As deftly as a trained soldier, a hand went behind his back and
pulled a hidden blade. In the next instant, he spun around Ramirez and clinched
his neck. He quickly stabbed his right side, just below his chest, and as
Ramirez screamed out, George sank back into a sitting position, using Ramirez
as a shield.
    Avery drew her weapon.
    “ Don’t move! ” she called.
    George held the blade to Ramirez’s temple.
    “Who’s the loser now?” he said. “ Who!? ” he screamed.
    “ Drop it! ”
    Ramirez groaned from the wound between his ribs. The arm around
his neck clearly made it difficult for him to breathe. He reached for his gun
but the point of the blade pressed deeper into his temple. George hugged him
tight and whispered in his ear.
    “Be still.”
    A groan from Ramirez and then he screamed out.
    “ Shoot this fucker! ”
    Avery watched as George pressed the knife tight against Ramirez’s
head, and a trickle of blood