Jonathan Kellerman_Petra Connor 02 by Twisted

relationship.”
    Petra pointed to the chair alongside her desk. He sat down heavily.
    â€œLousy date, huh?”
    He grinned. “I’m that obvious.”
    â€œWell,” she said, “I figure Mom sets you up with a high I.Q. beauty queen, maybe you’d forget about your plate.”
    â€œThe girl was nice enough, but not—We had absolutely nothing in common. Her family’s new in our church. She’s religious and modest, and for my mother, that’s enough.”
    â€œNo beauty queen,” said Petra.
    â€œShe looks like a mastiff.”
    â€œOuch.”
    â€œThat was cruel,” said Isaac. “But so what? She was also aggressive. Sweet in church but take her to dinner and watch out.” He shook his head.
    â€œAggressive about what?”
    â€œEverything. She had opinions on matters about which she knew nothing. Religion really got her going. Nuclear-strength dogma. We’d barely sat down and she was telling me I needed to go to church more often. Instructing me what to believe. And not with any particular theological elegance.”
    â€œOh, boy,” said Petra. “You’re not even married and she’s running your life.”
    He laughed again. “You sound like a guy. I mean, that’s something one guy would say to another.” Blushing deeply. “Not that you’re not feminine, you’re very feminine, it’s just that— Are you married?”
    â€œUsed to be. It didn’t end because I tried to run his life. I was the most perfect spouse in the universe but he was a lout.”
    He said, “You’re joking but I bet that’s true.” He looked at her, helplessly.
    â€œIn terms of sounding like a guy,” she said, “I grew up with five brothers. You pick stuff up.”
    â€œThat must help in terms of working here—the predominantly male environment.”
    Somehow the subject had changed. She said, “It does help.”
    He said, “Anyway . . . about those June 28 cases. I neglected to mention that four of six took place here, in Hollywood Division. I’m not sure yet if it adds another layer of statistical significance to the—”
    â€œWe’re a high-crime district, Isaac.”
    â€œSeveral divisions have higher homicide rates. Ramparts, Central, Newton—”
    â€œMaybe you’ve got a point, Isaac. I promise to take a look, but right now I’m kind of tied up.”
    â€œThe Paradiso shootings.”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œHas that girl been identified?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œOkay. Sorry for—”
    â€œShe had an abortion within the last month or two. That say anything to you?”
    â€œThe obvious thing,” he said, “is a possible source of conflict. With the father.”
    â€œOver the abortion?”
    â€œI was thinking of the pregnancy itself. In certain situations, an unwanted pregnancy would be a pretty robust motive for homicide, wouldn’t you say? Theodore Dreiser wrote a wonderful book about it—”
    â€œShe terminated the pregnancy, Isaac.”
    â€œBut maybe she kept that fact to herself.”
    Petra considered that. Why not? “It’s an angle. Thanks. Now all I have to do is figure out who she is.”
    She flashed him a smile and turned back to the mess on her desk.
    â€œDetective Connor . . .”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWould it be feasible for me to ride with you? To observe what you do firsthand? I promise not to be intrusive.”
    â€œIt’s pretty boring, Isaac. Lots of routine, lots of dead ends.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” he said. “The longer I’m here, the more I realize how ignorant I am. Writing a dissertation about crime and I don’t know the first thing about it.”
    â€œI’m not sure riding along will help you much.”
    â€œI think it will, Detective.”
    A trickle of sweat made its way down his left hairline and