Maniacal: A Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Book 1 Read Free Page A

use a little more time at the gym, but all in all, he was a great guy. He had been with the sheriff’s department for nine years and was a happily married man. His eleven-year-old twins, Megan and Matt, were his pride and joy.
    “Clayton.” I nodded in his direction. “Gentlemen.” I extended my hand, and Jack did the same. “We’re investigators with the sheriff’s department. I’m Sergeant Jade Monroe”—I pointed to Jack—“and this is my partner, Detective Jack Steele.”
    The men introduced themselves as Bob Shultz and Leo Moroni. They both appeared to be a little shaken. They looked to be in their late sixties and the type of guys who lived the comfortable, retired lifestyle. Abruptly, their idyllic fishing excursion that morning had turned into something not easily forgotten. I gave them each the once-over after the initial introductions. Bob was short and pudgy, with chafed, windburned cheeks and short white hair. His plaid shirt and fishing hat reminded me of the typical Wisconsin retiree. I assumed Leo was Italian because of his last name, Moroni. He had a large nose, dark eyes, and olive skin. The hairline at his temples showed a tint of gray, but most of his hair was still wavy and a beautiful shade of black.
    “How about we grab a coffee inside where it’s dry? I’m sure we could all use a cup about now.” I smiled to put them at ease. “We have the usual questions to go over with you. I hope we can wrap this up within a half hour or so and let you get on with your day.”
    We entered the warm, cozy restaurant. A long lunch counter was directly ahead of us with ten stools against it. A few were occupied. Five tables were scattered throughout the room, and four booths lined the wall. I motioned toward a booth. Jack and I took one side and faced Bob and Leo on the other. A waitress approached with a welcoming smile, apparently unaware of what had taken place just across the lake from the restaurant. We ordered a carafe of coffee, and I began the questions. Jack pulled out his notepad and pen.
    “What time did you gentlemen get out here this morning?” I asked.
    Bob looked at Leo and shrugged. “About six thirty. Right, Leo?”
    “Yeah. We launched the boat right as the sun cleared the tree line around the lake. It clouded up almost immediately and started misting. I’m thinking we fished for forty-five minutes or so before we discovered the body.”
    “And can you explain that to me?” I asked.
    “Well, ma’am, I cast close to shore.” Bob rubbed his forehead, took a sip of coffee, then continued, “That’s where the bass usually hit. Lines tend to get tangled in the weeds in the shallow water, you know.”
    I nodded.
    “We rowed in closer so I could pull my lure out of the weeds. That’s when we saw him. I swear we almost capsized the boat. I’ve never seen a sight like that, not even in Nam.”
    “I’m sure you haven’t, Bob. Did either of you touch the body?”
    “No, ma’am,” Leo said. He shook his head. “I’ll admit, I upchucked right there in the water.”
    I frowned at his distress. “I understand.”
    Jack filled each cup with more of the hot brew and continued with his notes.
    “Was there anything besides the obvious neck wound that stood out? Can you think of something that our officers wouldn’t have noticed from your point of view, being on the water side of the scene?”
    Leo added as he scratched his chin, “I’m sure he was placed there. Bodies don’t float across a lake and put themselves halfway up on dry land. The man was in the water up to his chest, but his shoulders and what was left of his head were on the bank. It appeared like he was dumped there. There’s no vehicle unaccounted for near the boat launch. The guy didn’t drive himself here in that condition and throw himself in the lake.”
    I paused, waiting for Jack to catch up with his notes. “Good point, Leo. Do you two fish here often?”
    Bob answered, “Yep, several times a week.