Deadly Consequences Read Online Free

at six,” he said, “Around eight and a half hours ago.”
    Frowning, she tapped her fingers against her thigh. The location had to have meaning to the UNSUB. The burial wasn’t random, there was a reason he picked this spot.
    The killer was sending a message, but she had no idea what it was.
    Alec knelt down on one knee beside her. “What are you thinking?”
    “I’m wondering how the hell he pulled this off.” She raised her eyes, staring off into the darkness. “There’s too much we don’t know. Too many variables.”
    “You know what I think? You were doing fine until Lombardo showed up. You’re letting him distract you. I’m sensing some pretty heavy hostility between you two. You want to tell me what’s going on?”
    “Later,” she said with a tired smile. This wasn’t the time or place to tell Alec he was the reason Lombardo wanted to nail her to the wall. “I’ve put off talking to the teenagers because I don’t want Lombardo to be right.” She raised a hand, massaging the stiffness in her neck. “Makes me wonder who’s the bigger fool, him, or me?”
    “You’re not a fool, Sam,” Alec said. “You’ll get this.”
    “I hope so,” she said, nodding towards the victim. “For her sake.”

     
    Lombardo watched Sam head down the path, a smug look on his face. “Hey,” he tossed his jacket to Rafe. “Hang on to that a minute, will ya?”
    Rafe caught the jacket with one hand, and cast a furtive glance towards Matsuda. The M.E. had his back turned, hunched over the gurney. “What are you up to now, Spaghetti Man?”
    “Don’t go getting’ your knickers in a knot Madre Teresa.” Lombardo shoved his hand in his pocket, and pulled out a plastic bag. “Alls I’m doing is makin’ sure we all go home sooner rather than later. I got a nice bottle of wine, a good plate of pasta, and a Sinatra flick waitin’ for me at home.”
    “You’d be better off with a good woman waiting for you. Might make you a better man.”
    Lombardo stooped down and lifted something from the ground. “Ain’t nothing wrong with my manhood.” He leered with a wink. “And I know plenty of good women.”
    “You ever get your mind out of the gutter, man? I’m talking about a nice girl, not a bed warmer. My wife has lots of friends. You should let her fix you up.” Rafe tapped his foot and looked around. “What did you say you were doing?”
    “Gimme a minute and I’ll show you.” Lombardo opened the plastic bag and dropped something inside. “No disrespect to your sainted Maria, but see this is where you and me are different. Good-looking Latino guy like you, I can understand you wanting to plant your seeds and watch them grow, you know what I’m saying? Me on the other hand, I’m the original I-talian Stallion”.
    “No, man, you know what you are?” Rafe said, “a cerdo.”
    “You’re just jealous on account that nobody is raggin’ on me to take out the trash or draggin’ me to church on Sunday. Toss me my jacket.”
    “With pleasure.” Rafe threw the jacket back to him. “You going to tell me what you found?”
    “Yeah, I’ll tell you.” Lombardo grabbed his suit coat, stuffed the plastic bag in his jacket pocket, and threw his arm over Rafe’s shoulder. “Let’s take a walk first.”

     
    Five teenagers stood off to the side at the far end of the lagoon. Even from a distance, Sam could see the boys were sullen and defensive, the girls, wide eyed and frightened. They were flanked by two officers, one on either side. One of the boys watched her approach and raised his chin in a belligerent manner. His dark eyes spiked with attitude, and she knew he was trying to intimidate her.
    Sam raised her brow and returned his stare, keeping her gaze locked on his. Her eyes narrowed. She knew the kid’s type. A macho man, who wasn’t above smacking his girlfriend around when the mood struck. The kid buckled first. He kicked a loose pebble and dropped his eyes, stuffing one hand in his pocket