Read Online JUDE: Book 2 The Justice Brothers Series by Taylor Lee - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Taylor Lee
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slightly.
The angry woman hesitated, then stopped and glared at him, anger radiating from her body.
Jude let the silence stand for a long moment then said quietly, “In answer to your questions, Blake, we have little concrete information at this time.” He raised his hand again when Charlotte started to speak. She hesitated, then sunk back against the sofa cushion, her eyes flashing with anger.
“What we do know is that your parents died approximately an hour before you came home, Alicia. While these are estimates at best, your father died first—approximately thirty minutes before your mother. Doctor Evans believes that both of your parents died of asphyxiation caused by the cords around their necks. Because they were tortured with a number of different weapons, the loss of blood and trauma contributed to their deaths.”
Blake’s sob cut through Jude’s graphic recitation. Making a visible effort to control his emotions, Blake groaned, then pleaded, “Please, Jude, please, man, tell me that they…they died quickly, that they weren’t conscious when…when…those horrible things were done to them.”
Jude pressed his lips together, then shook his head. “I wish I could tell you that, but I can’t, Blake. Both your parents suffered for at least three, more likely four, hours before they mercifully died.”
Blake’s anguished wail filled the room.
Skylar rose and walked to the door. She murmured to Jude as she passed, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to have Gregory bring in some water.”
When she returned, she heard Jude beginning to describe their preliminary theories about the perpetrators. He stopped when she entered, Gregory and Marguerite following behind her. Gregory put a tray holding a water pitcher and glasses on the coffee table and then placed Marguerite’s tray with a teapot and four cups next to the water.
“Thank you, Marguerite, Gregory.” Jude glanced around the circle. “Would you like a glass of water, Blake? Anyone? Or perhaps you’d prefer tea?”
When Blake nodded, Jude poured him a glass of water, then turned to the sisters, all of who stonily refused the refreshments. He waited until the two long-time servants left the room, then nodded to Sky. “I was just about to tell the Parkers our preliminary theories about the perpetrators, Skylar.”
Turning back to the four siblings, he said, “Understand, these are preliminary theories at best. The laboratory technicians are combing through mountains of evidence. It will be several more days before we have final results. What we do know or surmise at this point is the following: We know that at least two, more likely three or more, perpetrators were present. There was evidence of cocaine and possibly heroin in the room, indicating they were likely high on drugs, which helps somewhat to explain the savagery of the attacks. While we haven’t ruled out a burglary gone bad, because the attacks were so vicious, and the fact that nothing of value is missing, we think it is unlikely that this was an anonymous crime.”
Marion interrupted him. “What does that mean, Jude? That it wasn’t an anonymouscrime? Are you saying that the people who did this knew our mother and father?”
When Jude nodded, Charlotte challenged him, “But…but that means…you’re saying that whoever did all those horrible things did them on purpose? I…I don’t understand.”
Jude was sympathetic. “None of us can understand how human beings could do what they did to your parents. As I said, we believe that they were high on cocaine, which may help to explain the viciousness of the attacks. That said, our working theory is that the perpetrators knew your parents. There was no sign of a forced entry. Moreover, the doors were unlocked and the alarm didn’t go off, indicating that your parents let them in, more confirmation that your parents knew their attackers.”
Blake was clearly shaken. “Damn, Jude, that…that doesn’t make sense.
The angry woman hesitated, then stopped and glared at him, anger radiating from her body.
Jude let the silence stand for a long moment then said quietly, “In answer to your questions, Blake, we have little concrete information at this time.” He raised his hand again when Charlotte started to speak. She hesitated, then sunk back against the sofa cushion, her eyes flashing with anger.
“What we do know is that your parents died approximately an hour before you came home, Alicia. While these are estimates at best, your father died first—approximately thirty minutes before your mother. Doctor Evans believes that both of your parents died of asphyxiation caused by the cords around their necks. Because they were tortured with a number of different weapons, the loss of blood and trauma contributed to their deaths.”
Blake’s sob cut through Jude’s graphic recitation. Making a visible effort to control his emotions, Blake groaned, then pleaded, “Please, Jude, please, man, tell me that they…they died quickly, that they weren’t conscious when…when…those horrible things were done to them.”
Jude pressed his lips together, then shook his head. “I wish I could tell you that, but I can’t, Blake. Both your parents suffered for at least three, more likely four, hours before they mercifully died.”
Blake’s anguished wail filled the room.
Skylar rose and walked to the door. She murmured to Jude as she passed, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to have Gregory bring in some water.”
When she returned, she heard Jude beginning to describe their preliminary theories about the perpetrators. He stopped when she entered, Gregory and Marguerite following behind her. Gregory put a tray holding a water pitcher and glasses on the coffee table and then placed Marguerite’s tray with a teapot and four cups next to the water.
“Thank you, Marguerite, Gregory.” Jude glanced around the circle. “Would you like a glass of water, Blake? Anyone? Or perhaps you’d prefer tea?”
When Blake nodded, Jude poured him a glass of water, then turned to the sisters, all of who stonily refused the refreshments. He waited until the two long-time servants left the room, then nodded to Sky. “I was just about to tell the Parkers our preliminary theories about the perpetrators, Skylar.”
Turning back to the four siblings, he said, “Understand, these are preliminary theories at best. The laboratory technicians are combing through mountains of evidence. It will be several more days before we have final results. What we do know or surmise at this point is the following: We know that at least two, more likely three or more, perpetrators were present. There was evidence of cocaine and possibly heroin in the room, indicating they were likely high on drugs, which helps somewhat to explain the savagery of the attacks. While we haven’t ruled out a burglary gone bad, because the attacks were so vicious, and the fact that nothing of value is missing, we think it is unlikely that this was an anonymous crime.”
Marion interrupted him. “What does that mean, Jude? That it wasn’t an anonymouscrime? Are you saying that the people who did this knew our mother and father?”
When Jude nodded, Charlotte challenged him, “But…but that means…you’re saying that whoever did all those horrible things did them on purpose? I…I don’t understand.”
Jude was sympathetic. “None of us can understand how human beings could do what they did to your parents. As I said, we believe that they were high on cocaine, which may help to explain the viciousness of the attacks. That said, our working theory is that the perpetrators knew your parents. There was no sign of a forced entry. Moreover, the doors were unlocked and the alarm didn’t go off, indicating that your parents let them in, more confirmation that your parents knew their attackers.”
Blake was clearly shaken. “Damn, Jude, that…that doesn’t make sense.
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