Match Play Read Free Page A

again.
    “Who went in?” Barrios barks.
    “ She did!” The man points at the well-dressed woman sitting on the stairs. “She was crying and throwing up when I got back here, and then when I went up the stairs, I got sick too.” He wipes his shirt with his hand, only amplifying the odor of the vomit.
    Barrios motions his intent to go upstairs. Jackson acknowledges and Barrios motions at him to follow. They don’t hesitate while climbing the stairs except to avoid stepping in the vomit. They draw their weapons and pause before exposing themselves to the door, slightly open with a key in the lock.
    The smell of death and blood permeate the air. Barrios cautiously peers in, his eyes take a moment to adjust to the dark. He can hear Jackson breathing heavily behind him. He sees the counter between the living and dining area and stares at a large yellow bowl on the counter. Blood has oozed over the top of the bowl and has spread over the counter like a still lake. A woman’s head is half submerged in the bowl, her face gray and expressionless. Her hair is matted and tangled and her lifeless eyes are staring back at him. He feels his own stomach convulse.
    “Jackson, Jackson!” He reaches for his partner’s arm. “Go call this in, now . We need homicide detectives, the coroner and the crime unit. Bring back some tape to mark off the crime scene.” Jackson steps backward; he has seen the head. “Jackson! Do it!”
    “Copy that, right away.” Jackson double jumps his way down the stairs and disappears around the corner of the building.
    Barrios cautiously steps into the room, his fingers tense around his weapon. In the dim light he sees a torso lying on the floor and subconsciously rubs the back of his neck. “What the hell happened here?”
    He moves down the hallway, pushes open the first door and clicks on the light with his left elbow, careful not to touch anything. Arms and legs are lying in the bathtub. He backs out of the bathroom, pauses for a moment, and then carefully inspects the bedrooms, which along with the master bath are undisturbed. He stays vigilant, his senses heightened as he moves back into the living area. He notes masses of flesh on the floor, and that the dining table has been moved. Double French doors opening onto the balcony are wide open. The balcony is empty except for potted plants and a patio set.
    Barrios backs toward the door, careful not to trip over the torso. He avoids the stare of the victim. When he reaches the door, he uses his sleeve to push the light switch on to illuminate the stairs and the foyer, and he uses the site on his pistol to pull the door closed.
    He stands on the landing and waits for Jackson. Under his breath, he whispers a prayer and crosses himself.
    Jackson returns with a roll of yellow crime scene tape, and is followed by several people.
    Barrios grimaces. “Here come the looky loos,” he mumbles under his breath. “Jackson, get that tape up ASAP.”

Chapter 4
    O fficer Barrios descends the stairs and stops near the two women. “Let’s get you away from here, ma’am. I need to ask you a few questions if you’re feeling up to it.” The woman nods. Barrios starts slowly. “May I have your name for the record?”
    “Sarah McClane. She’s my sister, Debbie.” She starts to sob again.
    Barrios writes in his notebook. “You’re doing fine, just take your time. What brought you to your sister’s house?”
    “I called her at her office and they said she hadn’t come in today. They said there was no answer at her home and they had not heard from her. That isn’t like Deb, so I called on and off until I was off work and then decided to check on her myself.” Her voice wavers and is muffled by her tear-soaked tissues as she wipes her face.
    The other woman interrupts. “My husband and I are the managers and we were outside when we heard Sarah scream. We came as fast as we could. My husband called the police and we’ve been right here ever since. I’m