Bubblegum Blonde Read Online Free Page B

get a look at the case file."
    "Didn't that detective just tell you that you couldn't see it?"
    "Yes, but Aunt Mona might have overheard something about the case, and if I play my cards right, I might be able to sneak in and get a look for myself." It was a long shot, but I had to try. "I know Mandy wouldn't have a problem hacking into the system while she's checking out Hatchett's bank accounts, but I want to do as much of this legally as possible. If I can't see the file, then I'll have Mandy hack the station's system as a last resort. In the meantime, do you think you can handle Googling the case and gathering as much information as you can from the media coverage? There might be something useful mixed in with all of the extra hooey they add to pad the story."
    Kelly nodded. "Mandy taught me how to Google. I'm on it."
    I wasn't too convinced that Kelly could handle the Googling, but I had to hope that when I got back to the office the computer wouldn't be damaged beyond repair.
    Kelly was known to have an extremely short fuse.
    Grabbing my keys, I headed out the door and called over my shoulder, "Let Mandy know what I need when she gets in, and let's get this show on the road."
    "You got it, boss."
    I hurried across the sidewalk and slid into the driver seat of my car. I started the ignition and pulled out onto the road and in the direction of the police station. I was in a hurry to get this case over and done with.
    The sooner Jason King was out of my life the better.
     
    *   *   *
     
    The police station itself was a three-story, concrete structure with tinted windows and revolving doors at the entry.
    I pulled up next to the curb outside the station and killed the ignition. I really didn't feel like being subjected to that little metal detector wand being passed over my body or explaining to some befuddled door guard why exactly I was carrying a gun, so I slid my weapon from the waist of my jeans and locked it in the glove compartment. Besides, if I wasn't safe in a building full of cops, I wasn't safe anywhere.
    With a final check of myself in the visor mirror, I ran my fingers through my wavy blonde hair, got out of the car, and locked the doors.
    The afternoon sun shone down on me like a spotlight as I made my way across the sidewalk and up the steps. I could already feel what little bit of makeup I wore starting to melt right off my face. Even though the seasons were changing and the days were becoming shorter, it was unusually hot.
    The air-conditioned building called my name, and I put a little hustle in my step to get out of the midday heat before I was nothing but a sweaty puddle on the ground.
    I pushed my way through the revolving doors leading into the station and breathed a sigh of relief as a gust of cool air washed over me.
    The officer stationed at the door eyed me then stood up and stepped in front of the metal detector. He was heavyset and looked nearly as enthused about getting up to run my bag through the machine as I was to be in the station at all. I'd much rather have been back at the office, but instead here I was, possibly about to do something illegal.
    The officer motioned for me to put my purse on the conveyer belt, so I did and then walked through the metal detector without incident. Once through the detector I reclaimed my purse. The officer was staring at the little bit of cleavage beneath the V-neck of my T-shirt with a creepy grin. I groaned, tossed my purse strap over my shoulder, and continued across the lobby. I didn't have time to tell him that he was a pig. I kind of figured that he already knew and just didn't care.
    The precinct was bustling with activity, but to my surprise, the front desk looked fairly clear, so I made my way over.
    "Barb! Long time no see!"
    I smiled at the older woman behind the desk. "Mona, how's it going?"
    "It'd be going a lot better if it was quitting time, I can tell you that. We're running shorthanded today, so I'm down here from the chief's office