Gaslight (7) in Gaslight

Murdoch stood at the water cooler with Mickey Phelps and Detective Harris.

“This shit is getting scary guys. You got people dying on a daily basis and it’s not looking like some gang-banger shooting up the City. “

“Damn straight with that Murdoch. Maybe the one Billings and I got but the shit with Douglas ain’t right. A couple of the guys are saying the ex-wife may deserve a look but no way that mousy women got the best of that guy. He would have seen her coming a mile away.”

Murdoch nodded agreement and said,

Either way we better catcha break soon or we won’t have to worry about the captain being pissed off. The mayor is going to have all of our heads.

Murdoch walked back to his desk just as Kate walked into the offices.

“Well, what do we have here?

Kate was neatly dress and her hair had clearly been washed, brushed and hung down her shoulders and back. Her clothes looked pressed and she had a cute vest which made her look as though she may have actually looked in a mirror this morning.

“Damn Kate, you got a job interview today or something? Why I actually believe I smell a fragrance that tends to make me believe you bathed with soap and shampoo.”

Kate just smiled, flipped Murdoch the bird and said,

What are you, Joan fucking Rivers or something? Who made you the fashion police around here?”

Mickey gave a wolf whistle and the officers at their desks joined with choruses of hubba-hubba and la-te-das to add to the amusement. Kate laughed along and enjoyed the camaraderie. She had awakened energetic and slept well after the night’s activities. She knew she was going to get it showing up looking like she gave a shit.

“So partner, anything new come in on either of our DOA’s?

Murdoch shook his head and said,

“Nothing new and we got a new one over in Palisades. Some higher up named Douglas got offed in his living room. It doesn’t seem to fit with the others other than we still don’t have a damn clue. Place was clean as a whistle and someone clearly knew how to leave a spotless crime scene. We are not dealing with the village idiot here”

Kate plopped into her desk chair and said,

“What the fuck Murdoch. We go from chasing second rate crooks to murder capital of the state. “Who is this Douglas guy? Sounds familiar.”
Harris had worked his way over and answered.

“Actually, we do know this guy a bit. His name’s Randall Douglas and we shook him down for beating on his wife a year back or so. Wife wouldn’t come to the table though so the PA didn’t go with it. Guys a dick for sure. Um, was.”

Kate replied,

so how’s the wife looking for it?

Murdoch answered,

“Not worth a shit in my opinion. This woman doesn’t have it in her. We brought her in but she’s nothing but tears and sobs. Anyway her alibi is tight. She had the kids and they’re old enough to vouch for her.”

Kate was relived the wife was in the clear. She wouldn’t allow some mother and victim of abuse take a fall for her and her sister. Revenge is one thing but only bad guys for collateral damage. Kate had no interest in getting assigned the investigation.

So Harris, you and Billings getting this one or hasn’t the Captain been talking?”

Harris shrugged and said,

“Still up in the air I guess.”

Kate got out of her chair and walked up close to Harris and pressed her breasts firm against his arm and offered.

“Gee Harris, I would be ever so grateful if you threw your hat in the ring for this one. Never know what kind of rewards come from a important case like this.

Harris just snorted a laugh and said,

“It’s gonna take a lot more than those tits of yours to get me to beg for a shit storm like this Kate. The media is going to be all over this. A couple of dead loser’s is one thing but this guy had money and was well known around the City. But feel free to hump me all you want.”

The uniforms busted out laughing at Kate and her theatrics. Kate gave them a wink and said.

“It was worth a shot.”

Murdoch set down his phone and said,

Kate, I think we have something on the murdered girl in the Gaslight. One of the uniforms, um, Mellon just called in and he said one of the neighbors saw two women talking outside around the time of murder. Didn’t see anything like a fight. Maybe just a couple standing there smoking under a light. Definitely worth a follow up. Pack it up and let’s see if we can jog the witness’s memory a bit.”

Kate nodded her agreement and grabbed the keys to the unmarked police vehicle. Kate thought a memory jog could be forthcoming once the witness got a close look at her in the light of the day. This could make for an incredibly interesting afternoon.

Last updated February 17, 2015