Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

“Spider.”
    The adult’s heads followed the line of Justin’s finger. The arachnid eased its way toward the light fixture.
    Murphy attempted to regain the boy’s attention. “Were the coveralls clean or dirty?”
    “Clean.” He tracked the spider on the ceiling. “His hair was the same color.”
    “Same color as what?”
    “His hat.” Justin moved his hand to his shoulder, eyeing Murphy. “His hair was black. It came to here.”
    “He had long hair?” Charley said.
    Justin nodded.
    “What else do you remember him wearing?” Murphy said.
    Justin pointed at his eye. “Sunglasses. The earpieces were neon-green.”
    “Was he tall, short, fat, skinny?” Charley said.
    “He was skinny and not tall.” Justin pointed at Murphy. “He’s a lot taller.”
    “You’re sure you’ve never seen him?” Murphy said.
    “I’m sure.”
    Charley leaned back in her chair. “Is there anything else you can remember?”
    “His hands.” His attention returned to the spider on the ceiling, tracing its patterns with his finger. “He wore gloves.”
    “Did he see you?” Murphy said.
    “Yes. I yelled at him, but he ran away.”
    “What was he doing?”
    “Nothing.” Justin shrugged. “He was next to the diving board.”
    “Was there anything in his hands?” Charley said.
    “No.”
    “Did anything seem out of place?” Murphy said.
    “Like what?”
    “A box, tools, anything?”
    “No.”
    “What direction was he looking?”
    “Uhm.” Justin’s eyes focused on the ceiling again. “Mostly towards the pool house.”
    “He was looking away from you?” Charley said.
    “Yeah, kinda. He looked towards my house.”
    With a concerned gaze at Charley, Murphy tightened his mouth. “That’s all I have for now.”
    “Same here,” she said. “Justin, if we have more questions later, would it be okay if we called you?”
    Justin peeked at his parents. They nodded. “That’ll be okay. I don’t care.”
    Charley stood, smiling at the lad. “Thank you, Justin, you’re a big help.”
    “I hope so.” He pinned Murphy’s eyes with his own. “Please, find who hurt her.”
    Murphy rubbed Justin’s shoulder as he stood. “We’ll do our best.”
    Justin tugged on Murphy’s coat sleeve. “At least she won’t be at home anymore.”
    Charley’s head canted to one side. “What do you mean?”
    “Robin stayed at my house a lot.” Justin brushed his hair from his eyes. “She didn’t like it at home.”
    Lines formed at the bridge of Murphy’s nose. “Why?”
    “She wouldn’t tell me.” Justin shrugged. “All she would say is her family was weird.”
    “What kinda weird?” she said.
    “Just that they’re not very nice.”
    Charley rolled her lips in and rubbed her mouth. “Thank you, Justin.”
    Murphy extended his hand. “Goodbye, Justin. It was nice meeting you.”
    Justin smiled and shook Murphy’s hand. “Don’t forget the Redskin caps are in the front of the store.”
    “I won’t forget.” Murphy smiled.
    “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson,” Charley said.
    They acknowledged each other and shook hands.
    Murphy and Charley exited through Ms. Cooper’s office. As Murphy shifted in front of Charley, Ms. Cooper attempted to block him. “Did everything go okay?”
    Charley sped past as Murphy weaved around the woman, ignoring her, taking a place next to Charley.
    Her hand on the doorknob, Charley said, “Everything went well.”
    Murphy grazed his hand over hers. Charley slid her hand away as he turned the doorknob, opening the door.
    Ms. Cooper tapped his shoulder. “Call me.”
    “Humph, not a chance.”
    Charley shimmied into the hallway as Murphy slammed the door behind them. Together they walked briskly to a nearby rear exit leading to the soccer field.
    “Crime scene?” he said.
    “Yes,” she said, continuing her stride towards the field.
    They approached Carmichael and Phillip Fleming while they placed Robin into a body bag. Carmichael stood, making eye contact with the