The Poisonous Ten Read Online Free

hindered her career aspirations, barely standing at five feet five. Her hair, a brilliant blaze of orange and amber, was tied back and out of her way so that she could work unobstructed.
    “I’m Doctor Jacqueline Isley,” the woman replied, ma king her way to Parks. The woman removed a face mask to reveal a small, pointed nose, covered with a light, almost unnoticeable smattering of freckles, and a thin-lipped mouth with a strong jaw that added to her commanding appearance. Her face was all business-like, controlling and attentive, almost as if she should have been a nun, ready to disburse disapproval. She snapped off one of her latex gloves and offered a hand, all business-like and professional, to shake. “But you can call me Jackie.”
     
     

 
    2
    “Doctor?” Parks asked.
    “Yes. But like I said, you can call me Jackie. I’m a forensic toxicologist with the county coroner’s lab. Poisons are my specialty. So you’re the detective in charge?” Her words were rapid, precise, and to the point. She had a job to do and didn’t want to waste any time getting to it.
    “I should be,” Parks said as he sized the woman up. She was in a white biological hazard suit, which she now u nzipped and worked her way out of to reveal a light green blouse and matching skirt that revealed just enough legs—shapely and strong. He could tell she was athletic, a runner or swimmer, though knowing women nowadays she most likely did kickboxing or yoga. Parks got the slightest scent of jasmine, not overpowering, just potent enough to hide her natural scent without being distracting. “But to be honest with you, I’m not sure what’s going on around here.”
    “It’s all right,” Jackie said, addressing the two guards. “The area’s been cleared. Assume regular protocol. Dete ctive . . . ?”
    “Parks,” Parks answered. “Dave Parks.”
    “Detective Parks is in charge here,” Jackie confirmed, nodding just once to let them know that she was giving them permission to follow him.
    “And why was I ever not in charge of a case I was called in on?” Parks asked as Jackie turned and led him down the cement walkway toward the front door of the house. Parks nodded to his t eam and started after the woman who he felt was still in charge, despite what she said. So far he was wishing he had stayed home with the puzzle.
    “This morning a 911 call was placed from this address,” Jackie explained. “Two officers answered the call to find the house abandoned.”
    Parks stepped into the home with its sixteen-foot ceilings and admired the exposed wood beams that held it up. Below him were walnut floors that had been glazed over to appear darker than their natural color. Each window was covered in white gossamer drapes that floated into the rooms as a slight summer breeze blew through the house.
    “Abandoned?”
    “Yes. Except for this room,” Jackie said, leading him into the room with the single chair containing the dead woman within the painted, purple circle.
    “Then what happened?” Parks asked, standing in the doorway, not entering the room.
    “One of the two officers approached the victim.”
    “All the windows were open like this when they got here?”
    “Unfortunately not. My people had to open them,” Jackie said with regret on her face. “Sorry about your crime scene, but we had to be sure. We laid plastic down for the pathway we took to the body and windows. I hope that helps. One of the officers collapsed in the doorway and blacked out. By the time his partner made it from the victim, over there, back here, he also collapsed. Luckily he was able to give off an officer-in-distress alert before he did. Otherwise, these two men would be just like our victim there.” She was curt, professional, and uncaring, simply laying out the facts for him to evaluate.
    “And how is our victim?”
    “Dead,” Jackie replied matter-of-factly.
    “I can see that.”
    “From all the way over there? You sure? She won’t bite,