Detective Wade Jackson Mystery - 02 - Secrets to Die For by L. J. Sellers

are known to abuse rapists.”
     
    Gorman’s eyes registered a little concern. “I’ve never raped anyone. That first bitch lied because she was pissed at me. And my ex-girlfriend needed a beating. I had nothing to do with Raina.”
     
    Schak let out a little snort of a laugh. “When Cindy finds out you raped Raina, she’ll turn on you so fast. She’ll trade you like a baseball card to make her assault charge go away.”
     
    Gorman shook his head. “You’re wrong about Cindy. Just because your wife is a back-stabbing bitch doesn’t mean mine is.”
     
    Schak laughed again. “What about your boy? He probably liked Raina and is not too happy that you killed her. I’m sure he’ll talk about it eventually. Especially once he realizes he’s not ever going back to his parents’ house.”
     
    Bruce bolted out of his chair. “Goddammit!”
     
    Jackson and Schak were on their feet too, each with a hand on his weapon.
     
    “You can’t take Josh!” Gorman yelled, pleading at the same time.
     
    So the boy was his weakness. Jackson decided to let Gorman chill for a while longer.
     
    “We’ll be back later,” he said, rising from his chair. “Would you like anything to eat or drink?”
     
    “Both. I’d like a cigarette too.”
     
    “Sorry, this is a nonsmoking building.” They headed toward the door.
     
    “Hey, take these cuffs off.” They kept moving. Jackson would make sure the detective on duty uncuffed Gorman when he took him food and water.
     
    They gathered in the small conference room, a sparse windowless space containing only folding chairs, a podium, and a five-foot dry-erase board. With a suspect in custody already, the board might not be used to map out this case. Jackson started to speak, and Evans yawned widely. Schak burst out laughing. Evans and Jackson laughed too.
     
    “Is this case not exciting enough for you?” Jackson asked.
     
    “I missed out on the electrifying take-down,” Evans retorted.
     
    “Better get some coffee or take one of your little energy pills.” Evans had a prescription for Provigil, a narcoleptic drug that she took when she had to work round-the-clock cases. Jackson would have liked such a prescription, but it would require him to ask his doctor for it. That was not likely. He got a physical every year because the department required it, but he and his doctor had an understanding. They didn’t talk about anything that wasn’t life threatening.
     
    “Yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute.
     
    “Okay, down to business. What did you get out of Cindy Gorman?”
     
    “Not a dang thing. She says the department will drop the assault charge when they sue you for using the Taser on Bruce. She has the idea that it’s considered torture and she won’t talk again without a lawyer.”
     
    “Did you remind her that she will lose custody of Josh if she’s convicted?”
     
    Evans grimaced. “No.”
     
    “It’s okay. There’s always round two.” Jackson looked at Schak. “Who did you send the warrants to?”
     
    “Judge Cranston. Officer Whitstone should be back with them any minute.” Typically, the detective who wrote the paperwork took the warrant in case the judge needed convincing. Expediency was all that mattered in this situation. Showing Gorman’s record to a judge was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
     
    “Our priority for now is to search the Gorman house. As soon as we have some daylight, I’ll get patrol officers out there to help us cover the area in front of the trailer.”
     
    Evans shifted in her chair and scowled.
     
    “What is it?”
     
    “You always say not to focus too quickly on one suspect. What if the Gormans are telling the truth and Raina never made it to their house?”
     
    “Good point.” Jackson nodded and glanced at his printed notes. “We haven’t narrowed the investigation yet. I plan to meet with Detective Quince later to see if this case synchs up with his rape cases. And you are going to