Extreme Malice

by R E Swirsky

  Chapter 6

  Wednesday, September 21st 10:43 am

  "Did you kill her?" asked Brad Mastersen.

  Brad, Jack's lawyer, sat on the only chair in the small hotel room. Jack was sitting on the double bed. He only managed to get a few hours of sleep.

  "No."

  "Do you know who did?"

  "No."

  "She was strangled, Jack. In your bed. It seems pretty clear to me that whoever did this knew her."

  "Strangled?" Jack asked.

  Brad nodded. "I called Detective Daly before coming over."

  "I wasn't told." Jack rubbed his hands through his hair and let out a huge sigh.

  "When did she die? I left Sunday. Shirley found her yesterday. Nobody has told me anything, Brad."

  Brad shook his head. "I don’t know. They'll tell us in due time I guess."

  Brad carried on with the usual questions and gathered the same information Jack had already told the police. Brad was a criminal lawyer.

  "Was she having an affair?" Brad asked just like Dean had.

  "Why does everyone think she was having an affair? Damn it! We were happy and in love! No, she was not having an affair."

  "You're sure? How do you know what she did when you were out of town?"

  Jack stared hard at Brad. "Well, of course I don't know what she did all the time. Why are you asking me this?"

  "You are a suspect at this point, and I need to know everything. From this point on, I advise you to talk only to me. No talking to the police without me there, and absolutely no talking to the press."

  Jack nodded. "What are they saying out there?"

  "I don't know, but I am going to find out right now."

  Brad left for the prosecutor's office to see what charges might be laid against Jack and what evidence or information they were prepared to offer.