Dream Phantom

Chapter Six

"So...I heard you just got married," Lilah said , her eyes glancing at the photo of Jax and Dani that was on his desk.

"That's right."

She gave him a crooked smile, "What a shame."

Jax stiffened and turned a stony expression towards her, "I don't think so. It was the best decision I ever made."

She chuckled and placed two hands in front of her, "No need to get defensive, partner. We'll be working together for a long time. It's been my experience that wives don't like their husbands to have a female partner."

Jax shook his head at her comment before giving his attention to the computer screen in front of him. He was still working on the clown murder case.

"I read through that file," Lilah said looking over Jax's shoulder. "I tried looking up similar murders but nothing popped up."

Jax didn't respond.

Lilah continued, "I did find one case that seemed odd. The victim had an O carved in her hand as well."

Jax dragged his eyes away from the screen to his new partner, "Which case?"

"Nothing local and it was over twenty years ago. I printed out the file just in case it became useful."

She reached over her desk and tossed the file in front of him, "I'll think of how you can thank me later."

She walked away, her citrus perfume trailing behind her.

Jax opened the file and saw that the victim was named Betty Garrison. She was twenty-seven at the time of her death and was working as a landlord to an apartment complex. A circle had been carved in her palm.

She didn't seem to have any qualities similar to the victim at the concert. He scanned through the list of family members and friends that were interviewed.

One name stood out to him. She had been a friend to Betty Garrison.

Typed in black ink was the name of his mother-in-law, Helen Deleon.

He was about to call Dani when Lilah came strolling back, a familiar looking purse in her hands.

"Is your wife's name, Dani?"

Jax stood, "How did you get that?"

"It was turned in to the lost and found but one of the officers recognized the name on the wallet. They saw me passing by and asked me to bring it to you. The wallet has no cash by the way so it seems someone stole her bag or she lost it."

Jax took the bag from her. Dani never mentioned her missing bag. He opened it up to double check the wallet when he saw something he hadn't expected to see.

He lifted up the small round container and whispered, "What is this?"

Lilah gave a bark of laughter, "You don't know what that is? I'm starting to think that perhaps all the rumors about you being an amazing detective were exaggerated."

"I know what it is," Jax muttered.

He picked the bag up and looked back at Lilah, "I've got an errand to run. Let the captain know it was a family emergency, okay?"

Jax didn't see her nod her agreement. Nor did he see the fat smile on her face as she watched him leave.