Walleye Junction Read Online Free Page A

team, Ryan Marshall, but he waved to them as they drove up. Ryan was shrouded in white-hooded coveralls replete with gloves, booties, and dark sunglasses. Most of the time, it was impossible to tell what he really looked like. Macy had taken to pretending that she didn’t recognize him when she saw him in civilian clothes. He’d taken to telling Macy to piss off, one of many phrases he’d picked up at an international forensics conference where he’d discovered that his British counterparts liked drinking even more than he did.
    When she’d joined the force, Macy had been told Gina could be prickly. Over the years she’d noticed more and more that it was only the men who said this. Macy gave Gina a slight smile and reached for the door handle.
    â€œThanks for asking, Gina, but I’m good. Let’s go do this.”
    Outside, the cloying smell of sugar drifting from the bakery’s ovens hung heavy in the air. As far as Macy could tell there was no smell coming off the bodies. Carla and Lloyd Spencer had not been dead long. They were almost invisible in the tall grass. All that could be seen clearly were their shoes—one pair of sneakers and one pair of cowboy boots. About thirty feet away a couple of women wearing aprons stood in front of the bakery’s delivery bay smoking cigarettes.
    Macy started with introductions, making a point of shaking both Ryan and Aidan’s hands.
    Ryan cracked a smile. “What’s with the formalities? We haven’t shook hands in ten years.”
    â€œMaybe I want the pleasure of getting to know you all over again.”
    Macy pulled on booties and gloves and went over to have a closer look at Carla and Lloyd Spencer. The husband and wife both wore jeans and hooded sweatshirts. Their clothing wasn’t threadbare, but it was well worn. It was also dry. They’d not died in the rain that had fallen during the night. Carla Spencer was an attractive woman, but the same didn’t hold true for her husband. Lloyd looked a little worse for wear. Deep lines traced the contours of his face and his teeth and his hands were stained sepia from tobacco.
    â€œSo what do you think, Ryan?”
    â€œI think we found your kidnappers so we can all go home.”
    â€œWhat killed them?”
    â€œProbably heroin, but they may have been cooking prescription drugs and injecting them. The toxicology screen will tell us what we need to know. The male was a heavy user. Lots of needle marks.”
    â€œAnd the female?”
    â€œNothing I can see aside from the puncture wound that killed her. She appears to be in much better health.”
    Aiden cleared his throat. “Macy, I ran a check. Carla has been in a rehab program for a couple months and Lloyd is on a waiting list.” He turned to Ryan. “Any estimate on time of death?”
    Macy spoke first. “If the bodies haven’t been dumped here I’d say between six and seven this morning.”
    Ryan nodded in agreement. “Nice work, Greeley. I suppose you’ll be wanting my job next.”
    Macy was tempted to look smug for Ryan’s benefit but kept a straight face.
    â€œTheir clothing is dry,” Macy said. “It stopped raining at around six and the bakery manager arrived at seven. Was anyone else here yet?”
    â€œNope,” said Aiden. “She was the first to arrive. She noticed the van and then the bodies.”
    â€œDo Carla and Lloyd Spencer have family in Walleye?”
    â€œChief of Police Lou Turner is arriving any minute. He should know.”
    â€œI’m going to have a chat with the manager of the bakery,” said Gina. “See if I can find out anything else.”
    Aiden pointed out the woman in the apron wearing a baseball cap. “She’s pretty shaken up. Go easy on her.”
    Ryan yawned deeply. “See if you can get me some doughnuts and a cup of coffee. I could just about murder for a plain-glazed.” He