Bab 72: Chapter 73

"We found him like this when we got here a little before six."

Sheriff Leon Torres stood in Ramon Escobedo's bedroom, his eyes carefully averted from the body on the bed. It was obvious to Mark, even the tough sheriff was strongly affected by what was happening.

"How'd you happen to show up here?"

He held tightly to Chloe's hand, trying to infuse her with his strength. Again he'd wanted her to stay home and again she'd refused, just as he'd known she would. But he didn't like the lack of color to her skin or the slight tremble in her body. He knew that once again she was imagining Melinda lying there and trying to push the picture out of her mind.

"His wife, Brenda, is visiting her sister in Laredo. She tried to call Ramon last night and didn't get any answer. At first she thought he'd gone out to eat so she waited and tried again an hour later. Apparently she kept calling until she fell asleep about two, then tried again at five and finally called my office."