In Too Deep Read Free Page B

Patricia lapsed into thought as Stewart and Hernandez took their cue from Ruiz and picked up the briefing. Why take the time to mutilate if you don’t have the guts or desire to inflict the wounds while the victims are alive? It was obviously done for a reason, to make a strong statement. The stabbings were either motivated by sheer hatred for these men or they were intended to mislead, to make it appear the crimes were acts of rage. She tuned in as Jeff Hernandez went over the postmortem details.
    “Each victim was found in an isolated desert area on the outskirts of the valley, all three within a five-mile radius. Cause of death was an execution-style shot to the head, and ballistics concurs that the same 9mm was used in all three cases. Shortly after death, each victim was stabbed a few times in his penis and scrotum.”
    Silence descended, broken only by the sound of Stewart chomping on his gum. Wasting no time, he took over from his colleague. “The only things we’ve found at the scene are the guys’ pants and wallets. Robbery was not a motive here. The chick leaves hundreds of bucks plus credit cards in these guys’ wallets.” He continued smacking the gum and looked around the room at his fellow detectives. “It’s a message, people. She’s saying loud and clear that she doesn’t give a fuck about their money. She doesn’t need it or want it.”
    “I agree,” Ruiz cut in. “The suspect knows these men are wealthy. They’ve all tried to use their wealth and power against her.”
    “Yes, this is the most important aspect of this case for you, McKenzie.” Patricia cast a brief glance in Erin’s direction. Light green eyes met hers, their hue startling her momentarily. But Erin didn’t seem to notice the unsettling effect she’d had. “The fact that Adams knew each of these men and had verbally threatened them is the main reason she’s our number-one suspect.”
    “How did she know them?” Erin asked.
    “All three victims were members of an all-male, high-society-type club that tried to shut La Femme down by revoking Adams’s liquor license,” Patricia replied. “They also tried to ban the lesbian films she produced from being sold in local stores by claiming they were pornographic. Obviously, Adams became pissed off.”
    “Enough of a reaction to make her kill these guys?” Erin looked dubious. “It’s so extreme. More like something a man would do.”
    Patricia smiled inwardly, remembering a time not so long ago when she would have thought the same thing. But hundreds of cases, and seeing the worst of people day in and day out, had jaded her. Women were capable of murder, especially crimes that involved killing from a distance. Women were less likely to kill with their hands, avoiding strangulation or stabbing. More often, they shot or poisoned their victims.
    “Witnesses in a Valle Luna restaurant overheard Adams threaten the men as they dined with their wives one evening in April,” she said. “Apparently she threatened to kill and castrate each of them if they continued to blacklist her.”
    Erin cringed slightly. “Assuming Adams is the killer, what is it that I’m going in for? You want evidence tying her to the victims? Or do you just want me to get her talking—strike up a rapport, gain her trust?”
    Ruiz stopped walking and leaned on the table, both hands flat in front of him, supporting his small stature. “Get anything you can. Get her bragging. A confession would be great.”
    “So, I’m wearing a wire on Saturday?”
    With a quick glance at Patricia, Ruiz said, “Yes. However, if at any point you feel it unsafe to wear it, if she gets too friendly, discard it immediately.”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Detective Henderson will also be in the club. She’ll be on three-way, so she’ll be able to hear you and also communicate with the surveillance team outside if necessary.” He stepped back from the table. “You’ll be meeting up with our sound guy along with your