INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

me as a peace offering from one of his many disappearing acts to the four corners of the world.
    “So, Investigator Gabriel Stokes, where were we?” I say out loud, as if he can really hear me.
    Maybe I am losing it. Seems as though the only quasi-normal relationship I’m having is with a fictional character I created. I tenderly draw his strikingly handsome features, working to bring the scene from my dream to life in black, white, and red ink.

Chapter Three
The Scene of the Crime
    Detective Glass
    The early morning light is disrupted by the spinning lights of police cars. Both plainclothes and uniformed officers mill around in the driveway of Gary and Alice Messner. A man dressed in hip-waders leans over the bed of his pickup truck, holding his head in his hands. Walking up the driveway, I look for the first cop who will make eye contact. “What have we got?”
    “Mr. Barnes over there had an early morning fishing trip with Mr. Messner, one of the victims. When he rang the bell and no one answered he walked around to the back of the house; that’s when he saw the bloody footprints.” He points to the footsteps leading down the driveway, which has already been taped off.
    Damn rookie, I’m going to have to drag it out of him . “And then?”
    “Sorry sir.” He tries to shake off the horror. “He went into the garage and found them. That’s when he made the call to 9-1-1.” The officer leads me toward the garage. “I want to warn you, sir, I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s…”
    Impatience is getting the better of me. It’s too early for this shit. “Thank you, Officer; I’ve got it from here. Hey, any word on CSU and the DA?”
    “Yes sir, CSU is on the way and the DA’s office sent a police cruiser over to Walker’s house,” the officer answers.
    Shit, they had to pick him up. He’s probably on another bender.  I peer into the open side door to the garage. My eyes widen when I catch sight of the old woman dangling from her ankles. “Jesus Christ, what the hell is this?” You don’t expect this shit in a town that doesn’t even have a Wal-Mart.
    The police car transporting ADA Walker pulls up at the curb. He quickly jumps out. “Glass!” He yells in a frenzy.
    “Morning, Walker.” I’m perplexed by his panicked demeanor until he’s within a few feet of me.  Yup, he’s been drinking.  “Wow, they couldn’t find someone sober to come down here?” He’s an amazing ADA, really goes for the throat. But he isn’t any good to me unless he’s sober.
    Walker pushes past me toward the garage. “I know these people.”
    Stopping him before he goes in, I grab him by the elbow. “Eli, you can’t go in there.” This kid’s got some power to him; he’s tough to hold back. “We can’t go in until CSU gets here.” I check the name in my notebook. “You knew the Messners?”
    “Yeah, I’ve had dinner with these people. My girl lives down the street.” Eli cranes his neck, attempting to see in the garage. “When I heard the location I was really afraid it was her.”
    To comfort him I put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think she’s in there; they’ve only found two bodies.” I’ve got to get him out of here, he’s going to contaminate the crime scene. “Hey, why don’t you sit this one out—we can get another DA out here.”
    “No man, I’m all right. I’m going to call her real quick to be sure she’s okay.” Eli pulls his phone from his pocket and dials the number. “Shit, straight to voicemail.”
    “Eli, go check on her, these two aren’t going anywhere.” I point to the garage. Dead people don’t exactly get up and walk away. I haven’t lost one yet.
    “No, I can’t go over there right now.” Eli walks down the driveway. “Hey, Simmons, do me a favor.”
    “What do you need, Mr. Walker?” the cop asks.
    “I want you to take your partner, go up the street about a mile to the next house and check on the neighbor, make sure she’s okay.”