The Executioner

Forty-One

‘A realtor called Reilly, Amanda Reilly,’ Detective Martin continued after Hunter and Garcia stood ready. ‘She owned her own estate agency called, funny enough, Reilly’s, in West Hollywood. This morning she didn’t turn up for work. Her work colleague…’ Martin snapped his fingers a couple of times as he tried to remember her name. ‘Aw damn. It’s on the report, I’ll check it later. Anyway, her colleague got worried. She said she’s never known Miss Reilly to come in late in over ten years they’d worked together, never mind not turning up.’

A tall and skinny black man, also wearing a Tyvek coverall, entered the reception area from the door at the far end of it.

‘Hey, CJ,’ Martin called, gesturing for him to join them.

‘What’s up, Tom?’ CJ said, freeing his nose and mouth from the surgical mask he had on. ‘Are these the Homicide Special guys?’

Martin nodded before turning towards Hunter and Garcia. ‘This is my partner, Detective CJ Simmons.’

‘Call me CJ, everyone does.’

They all shook hands.

‘CJ, what’s the name of the lady who reported Miss Reilly as missing. I can’t remember it for the life of me.’

‘Mrs. Riggs, Tania Riggs. The report’s in the car. I’ll go and get it before we hand the case over to you guys.’

Hunter noticed a look of relief on CJ’s face.

‘Miss Reilly’s car is parked back in West Hollywood,’ Martin continued. ‘It’s been in the same spot for two days.’

CJ took over. ‘The last Mrs. Riggs knew about Miss Reilly was that she was supposed to show this house to a prospective buyer on Saturday – early evening.’

‘So this house is for sale? No one lives here at the moment?’ Hunter asked, zipping up his overall.

‘That’s right.’ CJ nodded. ‘You know the protocol. So in the middle of the afternoon, a request was sent to our station asking us to dispatch a black and white unit down here to check it out. And then…’ CJ shook his head slowly without finishing the sentence.

‘And then all fucking hell broke loose,’ Martin picked up. ‘What’s in there’s just fucking insane. Someone had a lot of hate for this Miss Reilly.’

‘How do we come into all this?’ Hunter asked curiously.

‘That’s what I was wondering,’ Garcia added.

‘Forensics,’ CJ replied. ‘When they got here and had a good look at the body, the lead agent said that we needed to contact Homicide Special and ask for the two of you. Apparently, this case’s linked to one that you’re already investigating.’

‘Mike Brindle the lead forensic agent?’ Hunter asked.

‘That’s him,’ Martin agreed with a nod.

‘And the victim’s this Amanda Reilly?’ Hunter pressed on.

Martin and CJ exchanged a nervous look.

‘We can’t tell.’

‘OK, let’s go have a look.’ Hunter knew he wouldn’t get any more answers out in the reception area.

CJ smiled as he noticed that Hunter and Garcia were all suited up, but neither of them had a surgical mask. ‘I strongly recommend you wear the mask.’ He pointed to the one hanging from his neck. ‘And I hope you really enjoyed what you had for dinner today. ’Cos you’ll probably have it all back in your mouth as soon as you get in there.’

‘He’s right.’ Martin nodded sarcastically. ‘Have you noticed a terribly unpleasant bouquet in the air that sort of tickles your stomach?’ He didn’t wait for a reply. ‘Well, in there it’s fully matured.’

‘And if the smell doesn’t do it,’ CJ cut in. ‘Wait until you have a look at the victim.’

Frowning, Hunter and Garcia took the LASD detectives’ advice and grabbed a surgical mask each.

‘Through that door.’ Martin pointed to the door CJ had come through earlier. ‘There’s a round foyer. Take the door to the right of the stairwell and follow the corridor to the end. You can’t miss it; there are forensic agents everywhere.’

CJ and Martin were right. With every step, the smell got stronger and more sickening. They reached the last door and stepped into a nightmare.

The room was massive, furnished with delicate sofas and modern units. Mike Brindle and three other forensic agents were busy at work.

Hunter felt a sting in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if it’d been caused by the nauseating and repulsive smell, or by what lay before him.

Garcia’s body convulsed as he tried to keep himself from being sick, but the combination of the stench together with the ferocity of the scene became too much for him. He quickly stumbled back out of the room and Hunter heard him empty his stomach by the door.

‘My God!’ Hunter closed his eyes.