Joan Pickart - Body of Evidence

“Even though I still can’t make out a clear design of the killer’s ring from Franklin ’s facial bruises through photo enhancement, I’m certain that the person who delivered the brutal blows is left-handed. I did a report detailing the proof of that opinion but I need to verify one piece of it before I put it in the file for Detectives Waters and Wilson to follow up on.”

Josh looked at her. “You’re amazing.”

“So are you, my darling, in bed and out.”

“Are you asking for trouble, my sweet?”

“Umm, could be.”

“Then let’s go and find some.” With a wicked smile he tucked her hand around his arm and walked her back to his vehicle.

T he news that night did a special on the Gardner family, with emphasis on their good deeds in the Chicago area.

Snuggled together on the sofa, Josh and Maggie watched the report. They both snapped to attention when the special segment was followed by a statement from the anchor.

“Desmond Reicher, COO of the Gardner Corporation, was taken into police custody today and charged with the murder of Franklin Gardner.”

Josh and Maggie looked at each other, each of them conveying shock. “Is Reicher left-handed?” Maggie asked in a hushed, startled voice.

“I think we had better find out, don’t you?” Josh got up and went over to the phone. In a moment he had identified himself and asked, “Which facility is holding Desmond Reicher?” After another moment he said, “Thanks,” and broke the connection to place a second call. “This is important, Sergeant. You’ve got Desmond Reicher in a holding cell. Is he left-or right-handed?”

Josh turned to look at Maggie. “He doesn’t know,” he told her. “But he’s checking.”

She sat without moving, tense as a coiled spring, waiting to find out. Finally Josh said, “Thanks, Sergeant,” and put down the phone. “Reicher’s right-handed,” he said quietly.

“They’ve arrested the wrong man!”

“Yes, they have, but I would bet anything that Colin and Darien are already on top of it.”

Maggie relaxed some. “You’re right. But if it’s as simple as which hand the killer used to pummel Gardner, wouldn’t Reicher have been released by now?”

“There are complications in the case still to be ironed out, Maggie.”

Maggie sighed and put her head back. Josh resumed his place on the sofa next to her and took her hand. She smiled at him.

“There’s something I’d like to tell you,” he said.

“Feel free.”

“I led you to believe I never even got close to a genuine commitment with anyone and that’s not true.”

Maggie sat up straighter. “You don’t have to…I mean, you’re entitled…”

“You’re dying to know all about my life during the past ten years, so don’t get phony on me now, sweetheart.”

“All right, fine. Go ahead and bare your soul.”

“Well, my soul is hardly overburdened with deep, dark secrets, so my little story isn’t apt to leave me naked and bleeding.”

“Aw, heck. And there I thought I’d finally see the real Josh Benton.”

“You’ve always seen the real me, Maggie. You just didn’t know what went on behind the scenes ten years ago. And why would you have? Adult men don’t tell kids about the women they’re dating.”

“Oh, you were dating…someone,” she said, speaking almost wistfully.

“Your mother knew I was getting pretty serious about…would you like to know her name?”

“Do you still see her?”

“Nope. Haven’t seen her in years. The last I heard of her was that she had gotten married and moved to Savannah, Georgia.”

“Then, no, I don’t want to know her name. But you told Mom about her. How come?”

“Probably because your mother sort of became my mother for a while. Guess I missed my own mom, and Lottie was always willing to talk to me. Anyhow, I was on the verge of popping the question when the woman of my dreams started sleeping around. My friends all knew it before I did. Tim was the only one with the guts to finally tell me about it. I was wounded, I can’t say I wasn’t, and it took a long time before I healed enough to even take a woman to a movie.”

“I knew there was more to your negative attitude about relationships than bad statistics, darling,” Maggie said softly. “I’m sorry you were hurt but I’m glad it happened.”

He chuckled. “Want to know something? So am I.” He kissed her until they were both breathless, then whispered, “I’ve been thinking of a honeymoon in a nice warm place, maybe Hawaii or the Bahamas. What do you think?”

“A honeymoon?” Maggie leaped up from her spot on the sofa and straddled his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes…yes…yes!”

“Looks like we’re going to get married,” Josh said with a big grin.

All Maggie could manage was another “Yes!”

Dear Reader,

When I was first asked to participate in this project, a book covering a single crime from the perspectives of forensics, detectives and lawyers, each by different authors, I thought it was a great idea. It sounded like something I’d really like to read, which is the best sign for something you’re going to write!

My second thought was “Gee, I wonder which part they want me to do?” I’m joking, of course. With my background, I knew I’d be doing the cops. But I was excited about this new twist; my story would not only have to mesh carefully with the others, but when it was done, I’d get a chance in fiction to do what I rarely got to do in real life. I’d be able to follow a case closely even after it left my little section of the law-enforcement world and was investigated, documented and handed to the prosecutors, a chance to be there every step of the way to the verdict.

It turned out, however, to be much like reality; I knew my part of the process in great detail, but the rest only in a general way. I’ll have to wait until the book is in my hands to find out exactly how the rest happens. So I’ll be reading just as you will. After getting to know Joan and Jackie and our tireless editor on this, Ann Leslie Tuttle, I think we’re all in for a treat!

I enjoyed writing “Behind the Badge,” and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it and the rest of Body of Evidence.

“F ranklin Gardner? Of the Gardners? As in Gardner Corporation?”

Colin Waters hated days that started like this.

“Yep, those Gardners. That’s why the commander put out the call to Detective Benton personally at one this morning.”

“Are they sure the body’s Gardner himself?”

“Benton says so. And he asked for you specifically. You’re to meet with him at the station before you go to the scene.”

At the dispatcher’s answer Colin sighed into his cell phone. He’d already been on his way, hoping to get in early to try and catch up on some things, but if this was true, he could kiss that opportunity goodbye. And if forensic detective Josh Benton said it was Gardner, it was true; the man didn’t make mistakes.

“Great,” Colin muttered. Just what he needed, a dead mover and shaker.

He ended the call and began to maneuver his worse-for-wear city vehicle back into traffic. No sooner had he gotten to the number one lane than his cell rang again. This time it was the district commander, Eliot Portman.

“You’re on the way?” he asked without preamble.

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m counting on you to keep the lid on as long as you can. I don’t want the press getting wind of this before we’re ready.”