Got Thrills? A Boxed Set (A McCray Collection) Read Online Free Page A

that his hadn’t yet? He was missing something, and he didn’t like the feeling of that.
    “Um, to my knowledge, no clergy have been killed since… Well, since ever.”
    “No, not that specifically.” She pulled out her smartphone and typed frantically into the browser. “Two weeks ago, they found a prostitute with her head cut off and her eyes gouged out.”
    She brought up the news report. “Her name was María Sanchón.” Paxton averted his gaze. He really did not need that sight burned into his retinas.
    “Then, six weeks ago, this homeless man’s feet were cut off.”
    Ruth tried to show him another photo, but Paxton became extremely interested in the mustard stain on his jacket.
    “Okay, none of these seem the same at all,” Paxton stated.
    “I know, but we need to look not at the crimes, but how they were committed.”
    Paxton looked up to find Ruth’s eyes crackling with intent. He couldn’t help but respond. “Okay, I’ll bite.”
    “They were committed cleanly. For an act of supposed rage from a john, the perp left no forensic evidence. And why cut off a homeless man’s feet? Again, without leaving even a single fiber behind?”
    “So, basically, you say they are connected because they have nothing to connect them?”
    Ruth nodded. “Work with me here.”
    With that shy grin on her lips, how could he not? “All right, fine. But let’s keep your theory under our hats while we track down and rule out all the nut jobs that have been released from our fair city’s mental institutions.”
    “Sounds like a plan.” Paxton liked the way Ruth smiled before she continued, “We will need to roll out a full canvas and—”
    Her smartphone buzzed in her hand. Her brows knit together as she read the text. Quickly, she pocketed the phone. “Pax, can you supervise the canvas?”
    “Oh, man! That’s the fourth one in a row.”
    “No,” Ruth chided. “It would be the second one in a row, and I did the six before that.”
    “I know, because I hate talking with people and listening to them whine, lie, and make up excuses.”
    Surprisingly, she seemed sympathetic to his plight. “Look, you know I would do it, but Evan forgot his history paper. The one that’s due today.”
    Paxton tried to pout his way out of it, but Ruth drew the line.
    “Sorry, but a possible ‘F’ in social sciences trumps your lack of social skills .”
    “Fine,” Paxton said.
    “Thanks.” Ruth flashed another smile before she turned to leave.
    Paxton watched her walk away, ponytail swaying. Then she picked up the pace. With traffic heavy at this time of day, she had better hurry if she wanted to get to the school before noon. Ruth passed by the lieutenant and waved, giving him the briefest reason why she was leaving as she hit the street. Paxton watched Tyner watch Ruth leave.
    Suddenly, an arm draped over his shoulder. “Well?” the ME asked.
    “Well, what?” Paxton asked as he scooted the man’s unwelcome appendage off his jacket.
    “Exactly how long have you two been partners?”
    Paxton was pretty sure where the pale, Vitamin D-deficient doctor was driving this conversation train, but for inter-departmental cooperation, he had to hear the guy out. “Just over six months.”
    “So, my question still stands… ” the guy’s eyebrows went up and down, “Well… ?”
    “Don’t start,” Paxton stated as he headed for the door. Even a neighborhood canvas was sounding better than hanging out with Doctor Inappropriate.
    “What? Like you weren’t just watching her ass. I am just applying the Socratic method to determine if you two have—”
    Paxton held up a hand. “Yes, I get it. No need to elaborate.”
    “Come on. I’m stuck in the autopsy room all day. Can’t you tell me just a little—?”
    Thankfully, Paxton’s phone began vibrating.
    “Oh, gosh. I guess we will have to cut this conversation short.”
    Paxton headed toward the door as fast as he could.
    Still, he could hear the ME shouting, “I