He closes his eyes, bellowing. “Whoa… be chill, bitch.”
“What can you tell me about Robert Stetson? He was murdered at Dark Desires at 12:40 am this morning.”
His brow furrows. “What the hell! Do I look like I’m into that Goth shit? I ain’t no killer. I ain’t even been to that club, bitch.”
I shove my hands into my coat pockets. “I didn’t say that.” I turn to Jason. “Did we say anything about him killing anyone?” I focus my eyes back on Reggie. “Is there something you wanna confess? Something you feel guilty about, hmm? Reggie, just think of me as your priest you can confess all your sins to.”
His eyes widen, and his jaw drops as he shakes his head. “Whoa! I’m not a killer, bitch. I didn’t kill nobody, please!”
I take a deep breath and stare down my nose. “Firstly, you call me bitch one more goddamn time, and I’ll arrest your narrow ass for felony possession. Secondly, you’re an ultra-radical environmentalist. You expect me to believe you’re not capable of murder? All these rich people dropping dead in the city are all tied to Horizon Oil. You realize this is looking bad for you and your tree fucker buddies, right?”
He slumps his shoulders, wailing like a baby. I walk up to him and grab his chin, forcing him to look me in the eye. “Crying is not gonna help you. Talking to me is what’s going to save your ass. If you didn’t kill these people, who did?”
His eyes blaze with panic as he glances at Jason and me. “Look, officer. I don’t know. Please let me go. I can’t afford to get arrested again. Judge say if I come back, I’m done.” He begs.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me you’re not the killer. I need you to convince me you’re not a killer!”
Most of the time, a person’s eyes will betray them quicker than their mouth or body language.
He sniffles, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t kill anyone. Please, you have to believe me, officer.”
There is truth in his eyes, but only a half-truth. He’s not lying about not being the killer, but he knows something that could point me at the right person. It’s all over his face. “Okay, skinny jeans. I believe you’re not the killer, but you know something which could help me, don’t you?”
“N-no… I don’t.”
I back up, raising my hands. “Whoa! Are you lying to me? Sadir, call it in, maybe violating his parole will jar his fucking memory.”
He pulls his cell from his pocket. “Sure thing, Lobos.”
The coffee table has a brick of weed and three other stacks on the shelf. A smile slides across my face. “You’re dealing again, aren’t you, Reggie? I look around this living room, and you know what I see? I see five to ten years. Inmates will love your little feminine ass. Speaking of feminine, what is it with you hipsters wearing your little sister’s clothes? I mean, this has got to be the stupidest fad you kids are doing today since the emo fad. Look, I’ll cut ya break. I know you’re not the killer, but I got a feeling you have a good idea who is.”
“And what do I get?” he snaps.
I cross my arms, curling my lip. “I won’t bust you for all this grass, and you get to avoid having your ass resized in prison.”
He leans back on the couch, gazing at me.
He flinches when I snap my fingers. “Come on! Your freedom hangs on the answer!”
He sighs. “Damn it! Alright, look, his name is Christopher Godfrey, but we call him CG.”
“Tell me about him.”
“The dude’s a psycho. Always talking about how we at war to avenge Mother Earth. He has suggested we kill a few oil people to show what we are willing to do for Mother Earth a while back, but we wouldn’t get on board with it.”
“Is he packing?”
“That crazy fuck’s always packing. So yall best have your gats on him.”
Do you have an address?”
“Nah, he lives in a shack in Plant city.”
So far, he’s not looking like our guy. Traditional serial killers like to stay close to their hunting grounds. I’m not hoping for much on this, but you never know.
“He doesn’t have an actual address. He lives in a private colony called Earth Wind. Get out a pen and paper. I’ll give you the coordinates.”
“Jason, uncuff him. Our little Reggie is ready to do his civic duty.”
Jason furrow’s his brow. “Wait, we’re not arresting him for the Narcotics?”
I shrug. “Nah. We’re homicide, not narcotics. Besides, Reggie will screw up again, won’t ya?” I grin. “Call in some back up from the local Sheriff. Tell ’em we got a possible location on the MK suspect in Plant City at the Earth Wind Colony. Give ’em these coordinates and tell them to hold until we get there, which will be about thirty minutes.”
“I’m on it now.”
“You have a good night now, Reggie.”
“Hey, yo, what about my fucking door? Who’s gonna pay for your crazy ass kicking it in?”
I glance at the door and push my tongue against the inside of my cheek. “Fine. I’m going to have a chat with the Narc unit and your parole officer.”
He laughs timidly and throws his hands up. “You know what? Fuck that door. It made the house look like shit anyway.”
I take one last drag from my smoke and put it out on his table. “I knew there was a brain in there somewhere.”
We get into the car and race to Plant City. “Jason, listen to me. If you think for one second Godfrey is about to yank a piece, you burn
