Read Online Dangerous Passage (Southern Crimes Book #1): A Novel by Lisa Harris - Free Book Online

Parenthood is going to kill me.” Carlos rubbed his chin, then looked straight at Mitch. “Though I imagine when Kayleigh sees mycopy of that little black book of yours, she’s going to want to kill you as well—”
    “You seriously didn’t.” Mitch sat up.
    “Remember that long, boring stakeout back in June?”
    “You copied my black book?”
    Carlos shrugged. “You were sleeping. It was lying on the floorboard.”
    “And you couldn’t just leave it alone.”
    Carlos’s smile broadened. “Oh, I knew I’d need some leverage one day.”
    “Sleep or no sleep, I’d watch your back if I were you, Mitch.” Avery laughed.
    Eight years in the marines as a military interrogator had taught Carlos James Dias how to handle an investigation. And apparently, Mitch as well.
    She cleared her throat. “Now, boys, back to our investigation. What about James Philips, and don’t give me another dead end—or wisecrack, for that matter, Mitch.”
    “Not another dead end, just nothing new. Yet,” Tory offered. “The bar next to the crime scene has a video camera on the street. We’re planning to go through the footage this morning. Hopefully we’ll get lucky.”
    “Good.” Avery let out a sharp breath of air. “Listen. We’re looking at a possible serial killer, which means that time isn’t on our side. Let’s make some progress today.”
    Her phone rang and she fished it out of her pocket. “Detective North.”
    As soon as she finished the conversation, Avery shoved her phone back into her pocket and grabbed her keys off the desk. Maybe their luck was about to change. “Mitch, you’re with me. They’ve just identified our Jane Doe.”
    Thirty minutes later, Avery parked her car in front of the Sourns’ two-story home. The stacked-stone exterior and perfectlylandscaped yard set right behind the golf course easily added up to a million-dollar price tag. This was a place that might actually impress Mama.
    Mitch let out a low whistle as he exited the car. “What I wouldn’t do for a paycheck that could afford this place.”
    “Then you’re in the wrong line of work.” Avery matched Mitch’s steps as they made their way up the stone steps leading to the front door. “I knew this address was upscale, but this wasn’t at all what I was expecting when we found the body yesterday. Her clothes, hair—nothing about her fits this upper-class profile.”
    Avery knocked on the door, tapping her foot on the welcome mat. She took a deep breath. The only thing worse than finding a dead body was having to inform the family of their loss.
    A woman in her midfifties with olive skin and dark hair opened the door.
    “Mrs. Sourn?”
    “Yes.” The woman’s eyes narrowed.
    Mitch held up his badge and identified them.
    “We understand that you called in a missing person report for your niece.”
    “Yes. Tala.” Mrs. Sourn pressed her hands against her chest. “Did you find her? When she didn’t come home, I . . . I didn’t know what to think.”
    Avery searched for the right words. Telling a family member they’d just lost someone was never easy. First of all, Mrs. Sourn was going to need the support of friends or family. “Is there anyone else in the house with you?”
    “No, but please . . . tell me where she is.”
    “Would you mind if we came in and sat down for a few minutes?”
    The woman blinked, confusion filling her expression. “No. Of course not.”
    She stepped aside, allowing Avery and Mitch to enter the foyer. Inside, the expensive décor matched the exterior of the house. A chandelier hung above them from the high ceiling. Oh, yes. Mama would love this. But as much as she might wish it, this was no social call to one of Mama’s friends.
    Avery sat down next to Mitch on the offered couch filled with plush, colorful cushions, while taking in the baby grand in the corner and the expensive artwork hanging on the walls.
    Avery pulled out the photo of Tala and handed it to the older woman, who had