CHAPTER 52

Assist? I laugh to myself. Was that why, when I destroyed your picture, you were threatening to give me another, closer look? because you desired to assist me?

Hours before, the smell of burned black coffee receded, but now when it nags at my nose again, I know Detective Bradley placed his plastic coffee cup to the side.

When he got up at two in the morning to find some liquid refreshment to continue the interview, there was no coffee offered to me. Not that I would have accepted his offer. I would have needed to use the loo by now, given it is almost three, and I have a feeling that the request would have cost more than I was ready to pay.

A moment later, I heard the rustle of paper, and then I saw a horrible snapshot that I had to remind myself not to look at. I yell at myself to shut my eyes and act as though I didn't see it.

I can't, though.

Some things are impossible to ignore.

"Now. Let's discuss a cold case that dates back three years. We think that before the couple in the nea