The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

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Frisco

Evan delivered a search warrant to me to search Albert Bates's residence. I contacted Noland Gray to join me. He arrived soon after I did with Morgan and Oliver Gray.

I knocked on the door and announced myself. "Florence Bates! My name is Detective Frisco Jones! We have the warrant to search your premises!" I waited, but no one answered.

"Excuse me. Can I help you?" A voice asked.

We turned to find a plump woman with grayish-brown hair in her mid-sixties standing near the house.

I stepped down the steps and approached the woman. "Are you Florence Bates?"

"No, sir. My name is Gertie Baker. I live next door to Florence." Gertie pointed to her home.

"Mrs. Baker, I'm Detective Frisco Jones. I'm here to search Mrs. Bates's residence. But she isn't answering her door."

"Oh, well, Florence has mobility issues. Albert should be home since he takes care of her."

"Mr. Bates has been arrested."

Gertie's brows shot up. "What on earth?"

"Ma'am, I can't discuss an ongoing investigation. Now, please excuse me." I walked toward the house.

"Wait!"

I stopped and turned my head to Gertie.

"Florence gave me a spare key for emergencies. Give me a few minutes to retrieve it." Gertie turned and hurried to her house.

I heard snickering behind me and turned to the others to find Morgan laughing. "What?"

"That's our lab tech's grandmother," Morgan said.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask." Morgan shrugged.

Olive chuckled.

A few minutes later, Gertie returned and handed me a key. "I wouldn't want Florence to pay for a damaged door."

"Thank you, ma'am." I nodded and returned to the house.

After unlocking the door, I unclipped my gun and touched it. "Hello? Mrs. Bates? My name is Detective Frisco Jones! I Have a warrant to search your premises!" I didn't receive an answer.

"Everyone split up and search every inch of this house," I said.

The others nodded and separated. I pulled on a pair of nitrile gloves and searched the living room before heading to the kitchen. I checked the cabinets and drawers. Everything was orderly and clean.

"Frisco!" Noland yelled from downstairs.

I walked to an open door and descended the steps into a basement. Noland looked around at an empty table and space. I walked around the basement and found nothing.

"It looks like someone had been here. There's nothing," Noland said.

I pulled a cloth from my back pocket, wiped the table, and examined the fabric. "It's clean."

"Powders leave a slight residue. It looks like someone made the place spotless."

I blew air past my lips.

*****
Morgan

Oliver checked the bathrooms and bedrooms while I checked closed doors and searched the area. I noticed a door closed, walked toward it, and opened it. The smell hit me like a freight train. I placed the back of my hand to my nose and looked at the body sitting in a chair.