House of Skin

AMONG THE MISSING

Fenn’s first marriage lasted seven years; his second, less than three. Both had lacked something. Some indefinable thing he hadn’t been able to put his finger on. Until now. Both relationships had lacked passion, had lacked desire. Through familiarity, he and his former wives had gotten bored. There was never any sexual experimentation. Lights off, missionary position. It became terribly boring after a time. He knew there was more to a relationship than sex, but it was an integral part of a union. And when it went, it led to the disintegration of the more important things until there was nothing left.

He could never imagine that being a problem with Lisa. Marriage wasn’t something he was thinking of quite yet, but when the time came, he felt he could enter into it knowing she would never fail to excite or interest him. Such a creature of beauty, grace, and intelligence on the surface… but beneath, when the lights went down, an animal. And what man could ask for more?

Fenn was at his desk, musing over these things, a huge smile on his face. Even when Gaines walked up, looking very grim, he still smiled.

“Bad news,” Gaines said.

“What now?”

“Spider’s apartment. It’s been robbed.”

“What?”

Gaines shrugged. “Somebody broke the seal and went in. Robbed the joint.”

Fenn felt his face falling. “What did they take?”

“Books. Not all of them, just a dozen or so. And everything in the refrigerator. All those jars of shit he had in there.”

“That’s all?”

Gaines nodded.

Fenn looked angry. “I thought all those jars were removed for analysis?”

“They were going to be this morning. The DA said they weren’t relevant the other day, so we didn’t bother.”

“Jesus H. Christ. Why wasn’t I told about any of this? That bastard’s been sticking his nose in my investigation and you didn’t bother telling me?”

“Shit, Jim,” Gaines said apologetically, “I thought you knew. Besides, those jars were just full of dirt and powders and crap.”

Fenn’s smile was light years away now. “Fuck,” he said. “Fuck.”

“Sorry, Jim, I—”

Fenn couldn’t believe it. Gaines knew anything and everything at a homicide scene was important. What the hell was he thinking? And what the fuck was the DA doing this time? But he knew, God yes, he knew. Seigersen, the DA, had the knives and he had Spider’s confession. His case was wrapped up now. Another maniac off the streets. More political points scored. As soon as Eddy was brought in, it was all done from an investigatory standpoint as far as he was concerned.

Christ, the system sucked.

His cell jingled and he put it to his ear. “What?” he snapped into it.

“Fenn? This is Dr. Roget. We got big trouble here.”

What the fuck now? “I’m listening.”

“Spider’s missing.”

His face was falling again. This time it hit the floor. “Missing?”

“Gone. His body’s gone.”

“Christ in Heaven,” Fenn said under his breath. “What the fuck do you mean it’s gone?”

Roget proceeded cautiously. “It was put in a locker last night. This morning we went to get it for the post and it wasn’t there.”

Fenn felt like crying. “It was snatched for God’s sake?”

“I’m only stating the facts. It’s missing.”

“How could that happen?”

“I don’t know. It must’ve happened last night some time. That’s my guess. There’s only one or two technicians on duty Sunday night.”

“So somebody slipped in and stole a fucking body under the noses of your boys?”

“I assume so, yes. It’s rather doubtful it walked out under its own power.”

“Well, Doc, we’re really in the shit then. The newsies haven’t found out about our missing Jane Doe yet, but when they do and hear about Spider… Seigersen will have all our asses. You better find that stiff, goddammit.”

Roget grunted. “And where do you suggest I begin?”

“I don’t really care, but you better find it.”

Fenn hung up. First the Jane Doe, now Spider. Coincidence? Not fucking likely. Eddy Zero had to be behind this some how. He just had to be.

Fenn’s headache was starting again.

And then Gaines came through the door. “We got another one,” he said.