Private Beijing

Chapter 31

“And you didn’t touch or disturb anything when you found the bodies?” Otis Urban, one of the detectives leading the murder investigation, asked.

It was late afternoon by now and Justine was feeling the heat as she gave her statement to the detective. He was a short, slight man with dark hair and a heavily stubbled jaw. He had an air of intensity that reminded Justine of a hummingbird. His black suit was lined with mustard-yellow silk, which added to the mental image she had formed.

They were standing in the shade of a beech tree in the neighboring garden, but even in the shadows it was hot on this sweltering day. Justine could see Sci being interviewed by Urban’s partner, Siobhan Sullivan, in a garden across the street.

Howard Avenue had been cordoned off and Bostic’s house was now a crime scene, with forensic experts checking every inch of the interior and grounds. Police officers and plain-clothes detectives were canvassing the neighborhood, talking to locals about what they might have seen or heard.

“We came straight out and called 911,” Justine assured Urban.

She didn’t feel comfortable about misleading the detective, but Sci had insisted there was no need for them to know he had spent quite a while combing the crime scene. He had been careful, he said, and insisted that their knowing the truth would only complicate matters. A good defense lawyer would be able to say the scene had been compromised, even though Sci had been meticulous as ever.

Urban checked his notes. “Okay,” he said. “I think I’ve got everything I need for now.”

“You know where to find me if you need anything else,” Justine said.

The detective nodded. “Thanks,” he responded before moving toward the house.

Justine watched Sci wrap up his interview and saunter over to join her.

“Boy, it’s hot,” he remarked.

“You tell them what you found?” Justine asked.

“Yeah,” Sci replied. “Nothing.”

She responded with a skeptical look.

“I’m serious,” he said. “They might recover some DNA or microfibers, but I doubt it. Looks like a professional hit. And if we hadn’t identified the brother from the photo on Facebook, we would have no idea who they really were. Their wallets and phones were taken. Probably destroyed.”

“You think they were killed by whoever bought the detonators?” Justine asked.

Sci nodded. “Most likely. Trying to cover his or her tracks.”

“Makes sense,” Justine agreed. “But we have nothing to go on.”

“I didn’t say that,” Sci replied with a twinkle in his eye. “I sent Mo-bot some information. We’ll see what she can do with it.”

Justine eyed him with suspicion and shook her head. He and Mo-bot had earnt their reputations as legends within their respective fields. If anyone could find this killer, it was them.