Bad Blood Read Free

federal authorities arrive.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œNo buts, Mr. Shapiro. A federal crime has been committed here, and my duty is to keep the crime scene sealed until the FBI gets here. That’s the way it is. Capisce , Mr. Shapiro?”
    Gibbons figured this was his cue to get involved. “Gibbons, FBI,” he said, walking up to them and flashing his ID. “Who’s in charge here?”
    â€œMe,” Elam said.
    â€œAnd who’re you?” Gibbons said, thrusting his mean Aztec deity face into Shapiro’s.
    â€œAddison Shapiro, deputy transit commissioner in charge of Waterway—”
    â€œYou authorize him to be here?” Gibbons said to Elam.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œCrossing police lines and violating a federal crime scene is a federal offense. Please leave.” Gibbons jerked his thumb at the yellow tape.
    Shapiro scuttled back under it immediately. He tried to plead his case to Gibbons from over there, but Gibbons turned his back and ignored him.
    â€œThat true about violating a federal crime scene being a federal crime?” Elam said as he propped his big foot back up on the fender.
    â€œProbably,” Gibbons said, then turned his attention to the dripping VW. “So what’s this? The catch of the day?”
    Elam smiled and showed the gap between his front teeth. “Whatever it is, Gib, it’s yours.”
    Gibbons crossed his arms and shook his head. “You guys don’t handle homicides anymore? What was it they used to say back in the bad ole days about ‘lazy and shiftless’?”
    â€œYou don’t have to prove to me what a racist bastard you are, Gib. I already know.”
    Gibbons flashed a saccharine grin. “I like you too, Elam. So now tell me why I’m here.”
    Elam flipped a few sheets on his clipboard. “About two this afternoon, 911 started getting calls about something floating in the harbor.Only the roof and part of the windshield were visible in the water. One woman reported it as a dead whale.”
    â€œAn orange whale?”
    â€œShe was a dumb blonde,” Elam said with a shrug.
    â€œNow who’s the racist?”
    Elam rolled his eyes at Gibbons, then flipped another sheet and continued. “Harbor Unit responded, and they sent a diver in to investigate. The diver reported that the doors were locked, two bodies in the front seat.”
    Elam looked at Gibbons again, waiting for a reaction. Gibbons stared back at him stone-faced. He wanted the details first.
    Elam went on with the report. “Apparently the killer didn’t know that VW Bugs are airtight. I don’t suppose he wanted this thing to float on him. Anyway, the Harbor guys towed it into this slip. They said it’d be easier to pull it out from here. I dunno. Said they’d have it out before rush hour, no problem. But as soon as they started to lift it out of the water, the front axle snapped. Pulled it up too fast. That’s what the crane guy told me. The windshield smashed somehow when it hit the water and the car started to sink then. They told me it might take all night to pull the damn thing out now, so I told them to go ahead and take the bodies out.”
    â€œWhat the hell did you do that for?”
    â€œDidn’t want the fish to start eating them.”
    Gibbons shook his head and snorted a laugh. “Sharks?”
    â€œAnything’s possible in New York, man.”
    â€œGo on. I like this. First you dump this ass-pain on the FBI, now you’re telling me you fucked up whatever evidence we might’ve had. The lab boys in Washington are gonna send you flowers for this one, Elam.”
    â€œDivision okayed taking the bodies out. You take it up with them.”
    â€œThat’s right, pass the buck. You guys are good at that.” Gibbons pushed his sunglasses up his nose. “I still don’t get why you called us. This isn’t a federal crime.”
    â€œKeep your pants