The Murder Book

"Playing a game," said Milo, because that sounded agreeable. Thinking about chess, but unable to really reconcile this with any game.

" 'Look at me,' " said Schwi

"Gang bang," said Milo, hoarsely, flashing back to Hank Swangle's party at Newton Division. The Newton groupie, a heavy, blond bank clerk, prim and upright during the day, a whole other life when it came to cops. Pillowy, drunk, and glazed when collegial hands had shoved Milo into the room with her. The groupie reaching out to Milo, lipstick smeared, mouthing, "Next." Like a take-a-number line in a bakery. He'd muttered some excuse, hurried out… why the hell was he thinking of that, now? And now the nausea was returning- his hands throbbed, he was clenching them.

Schwi

He forced himself to release the fingers, kept his voice level. "So he's more rational than a maniac. But we are talking someone mentally abnormal, right? Someone normal wouldn't do this." Hearing the stupidity of each word as it tumbled out.

Schwi

Whatever the hell that means.

A knowing smile. Loose talk about Milo's sexuality wafting from Rampart and Newton to Central? Was that why the guy was so hostile?

Milo 's hands were clenching again. He'd started to think of himself as maybe fitting in, handling the first seven 187s okay, getting into the 187 groove and thinking he might stick with Homicide, murder would turn out to be something he could finally live with.

Now he cursed the world, got close to the girl. Closer even than Schwi

But the rage intensified, flowed over him, and suddenly he felt hard, cruel, vengeful, analytic.

Seized by a rush of appetite.

Trying to make sense of this. Needing to.

He smelled the girl's rot. Wanted, suddenly, to enter her hell.

It was nearly eleven by the time he and Schwi

"You drive again," said Schwi

He started up the engine. "Where to?"

"Anywhere. Tell you what, take the freeway for a couple exits, then turn around, go back downtown. I need to think."

Milo complied. Cruising down the ramp, as the killer had done. Schwi

It lasted until Milo was back on city streets, driving up Temple, passing the Music Center and the dirt lots that surrounded it. Lots of empty space as the rich folk pla

"So what's next?" said Schwi

"Find out who she was?"

"Shouldn't be too hard, those smooth nails, nice straight teeth. If she was a street slut, her comedown was recent. Someone'll miss her."

"Should we start with Missing Persons?" said Milo.

"You'll start with Missing Persons. Start calling tomorrow morning 'cause MP doesn't staff heavy at night, good luck trying to get those guys off their asses at this hour."

"But if she was reported missing, getting the info tonight would give us a head start-"

"On what? This is no race, boy-o. If our bad boy's out of town, he's long gone, anyway. If not, a few hours won't make a damn bit of difference."

"Still, her parents have got to be worried-"

"Fine, amigo," said Schwi

No anger, just that know-it-all smugness.

"Want me to head back to the station?" said Milo.

"Yeah, yeah. No, forget that. Pull over- now, boy-o. Over there, yeah yeah yeah stop next to that bus bench."

The bench was a few yards up, on the north side of Temple. Milo was in the left-hand lane and had to turn sharply not to overshoot. He edged to the curb, looked around to see what had changed Schwi

Dark, empty block, no one around- no, there was someone. A figure emerging from the shadows. Walking west. Walking quickly.

"A source?" said Milo, as the shape took form. Female form.

Schwi

A tall woman- black, Milo saw, as she shifted into the streetlight. Tall and busty. Maybe forty. Wearing a blue leather mini and a baby blue halter top. Jumbo pile of he

Schwi

The woman smiled back. Offered both cheeks to Schwi

A few moments of conversation, too low for Milo to make out, then both of them got in the backseat of the unmarked.

"This is Tonya," said Schwi

"Ooh," said Tonya. "Are you masterful, honey?"

"Nice to meet you, ma'am."

Tonya laughed.

"Start driving," said Schwi

"Master's degree," said Tonya, as they pulled away.

At Fifth Street, Schwi

"Masturbator's degree?" said Tonya.

"Speaking of which," said Schwi

"Ooh, I love when you talk that way, Mr. S."

Milo reduced his speed.

Schwi

"Industrial revolution," said Tonya, and Milo heard something else: the rustle of clothing, the sprick of a zipper undone. He hazarded one look in the rearview, saw Schwi

A moment later: "Oh, yes, Miss T. I missed you, did you know that?"

"Did you, baby? Aw, you're just saying that."

"Oh, no, it's true."

"Is it, baby?"

"You bet. Miss me, too?"

"You know I do, Mr. S."

"Every day, Miss T?"

"Every day, Mr. S.- c'mon, baby, move a little, help me with this."

"Happy to help," said Schwi

Milo forced his eyes straight ahead.

No sound in the car but heavy breathing.

"Yeah, yeah," Schwi

"Oh yeah, just like that, my darling… dear. Oh, yes, you're… a… specialist. A… scientist, yes, yes."