Read Online Rules of Crime by L. J. Sellers - Free Book Online

it’s right down the way.”
    Evans followed her outside. “Lyla was assaulted. Do you know anyone who might want to hurt her?”
    “I don’t really know any of the tenants. This is just a job. But I’ve never had any trouble with Lyla.”
    The manager stopped three units down and unlocked a bright-orange door. “I probably should stay with you but I’ve got to get that pigsty ready for tomorrow. Let me know when you leave.”
    Relieved to be left alone, Evans moved quickly to the desk in the corner. As part of a quad, the apartment was only slightly larger than a bedroom. One interior door was open to a bathroom and the other led to a shared kitchen. Evans noted the room was exceptionally tidy, with a tucked-in bedspread and no clothes or clutter anywhere. And no signs of a struggle. The victim probably hadn’t been attacked here. Where were Lyla’s clothes from the night of the assault? Unless she had been drunk or high, Lyla hadn’t left the house naked. Evans pulled out her iPad and made a note reminding herself to check the hospital for the victim’s drug and alcohol content.
    She made a quick search for a cell phone, not expecting to find it. The device was most likely with Lyla’s clothes or purse, which might have been tossed in the trash by now. The desk drawers held no surprises, except for a stash of chocolate-covered raisins that had turned gray. No address book. Did anyone under fiftyuse those anymore? She turned on Lyla’s laptop and soon found Karen Murray in a contact file. Evans called the number and had to leave a message. She would have preferred to make personal contact but she couldn’t delay the information. Lyla might not survive.
    “This is Detective Evans with the Eugene Police Department. I’m sorry to inform you that your daughter, Lyla Murray, is in North McKenzie Hospital, undergoing surgery for internal bleeding. Her condition is serious. I’m investigating her assault and I’d like you to call me as soon as you can.” She wanted to question Mrs. Murray about possible suspects, but being out of town, the mother might be the last to know if Lyla had a boyfriend.
    Evans gave her number, then spent a few minutes glancing at Lyla’s recent e-mails. One from a friend named Celia about studying together, one from Square Peg Concerts, and a newsletter from a nursing association. Had Lyla been studying to become a nurse? If so, this world needed her.
    Evans shut off the laptop and wedged it into her shoulder bag, alongside her iPad. She would peruse it thoroughly later. She did a quick check of the bathroom and found no blood, drugs, or signs of struggle. Time to head out and check the neighbors. She needed to find out where Lyla had gone Saturday night.
    After knocking on the adjacent doors and getting no answer, Evans trotted around the balcony and rapped on one of the opposite units. These two tenants shared a kitchen with Lyla and probably knew her. No one answered at the first door, but a sleepy-looking young man opened the second. Evans introduced herself and held up her badge. “Do you know Lyla Murray?”
    “The chick on the other side?”
    “Yes, the young woman in unit thirteen who shares your kitchen.”
    “Sure. Why?”
    “Are you dating her?”
    He made a face. “No. She’s…” He stopped. “Not my type.”
    “Can I come in? I’d like to ask some questions.”
    “We can talk here.” He stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
    Evans wondered what he had to hide. Probably drugs. Or stolen goods. Could be anything. Right now it was not her concern. “When did you see Lyla last?”
    “Uhh.” He rubbed his already messy hair. “Saturday night. I saw her coming down the stairs as I was going up.”
    “What time was that?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe seven thirty.”
    “Did you talk to her?”
    “We said hi, but that was it.” He shivered and shifted on his bare feet.
    His choice to stand outside in the cold. “How did she seem?”
    “Like she