Spoilt by Joanne Ellis Page A

welcome to take anything you need from
Elle’s room and if you need to send someone over to collect
evidence or something, that’s fine but, if you don’t mind, I would
like to be alone.” She started out the room.
    “ Wait, please,” Maggie called. “I’m sorry if Detective Hudson
seemed rude,” she said frowning at him again, “but anything you can
tell us could be important.”
    “ I can’t think of anything. Can I get back to you later? I’m
just a little upset at the moment.”
    Her cool tone penetrated the last of his defences. Her
heartbreaking expression and the misery in her eyes were more than
Lucas could bear. Being tough only caused her more pain. Granted he
was known for being the assertive half of the partnership, but he
couldn’t recollect ever being so tough on a distraught witness -
not like this. He was firing questions at her like she was a perp
holding onto a confession. Why was she having such an effect on
him? Why was he letting this case get to him so much?
    The blood, there was so much blood. Their lifeless bodies
discarded on the floor. His life destroyed by callous
punks.
    Lucas heard Chelsea sob, which propelled him back to the
present.
    “ We need to inform Elle’s family so someone can identify her.
Do you have an address for her parents?”
    Chelsea nodded. Maggie handed her a notepad and pen. Once
Chelsea had written down the information she handed it back to
Maggie.
    “ Thanks. We’ll leave you to it,” Maggie said before handing
Chelsea a business card. “Call me if you think of anything or are
ready to answer some more questions.”
    “ I will. Thank you, Detective Johnson.”
    “ It’s Maggie,” she said offering her a comforting
smile.
    Chelsea returned a feeble smile and nodded towards the door.
“You can see yourselves out.”
    Once they were in the car, Maggie spun round to face Lucas.
“What the hell was that about?” she asked him in astonishment. “I
know you like being Mr Tough Guy but that was going too far. She
was upset and you were badgering her.”
    “ I know, I don’t understand what has gotten into me,” he said
with a contrite expression. “I … this case … her … it’s all just
got a hold of me.”
    “ Well you need to either snap out of it and stop being a bully
or put your guard down and let someone in.”
    “ Let’s just take off and see if we can work out a motive
because it seems our perp is not just targeting brunettes, making
it all the more difficult for us. We have to find a
connection.”
    “ You really are preoccupied by her. I’m stunned.”
    “ What?”
    “ You don’t see any resemblance.”
    “ What are you getting at, Maggie?”
    “ Libby and Kate are not similar looking to Chelsea? Short,
petite, dark hair, you can’t see it?”
    “ What about Elle?”
    “ She was her roommate. Man, you are somewhere else, aren’t
you?”
    “ It’s all pretty thin, Mags. It could just be a
coincidence.”
    “ You’re probably right. She does look a little like them,
though.”
    “ So do a lot of women, Mags. You’re reaching.”
    “ I know but what else do we have?”

Chapter 9

    Connection
    Thursday

    Chelsea just couldn’t believe Elle was gone. Immediately, she
felt very lost and alone. Disbelief overtook her. She slumped back
onto the couch. Sobs wracked her body as she covered her face with
her hands, unable to comprehend the reality.
    How could this have happened? Who could have done this?
Why?
    With tears streaming down her face, Chelsea picked up the
phone and called the only person she knew would give her some
comfort.
    “ Mum,” she moaned.
    “ Chelsea?” Sarah said. “What’s happened? Are you all
right?”
    “ Mum ... Elle ... she's been … she’s gone.”
    “ Gone, dear, where did she go? She didn’t run out on you?
She’s always been a little erratic—“
    “ Mum,” Chelsea cut in, “she’s dead.”
    “ What? How can she be dead? Chelsea honey, what
happened?”
    “ Have you seen the