Read Online Sweet Dreams by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online Page B

– superhuman – to crush her chest. The human bone structure is a lot tougher than it appears, gentlemen. Therefore, I do not believe a human being did this.”
    The Mississippi County coroner nodded his head in reluctant agreement.
    The chief deputy from New Madrid County said, “There are no bears in this area, Doctor. Not for years.”
    â€œIt wasn’t an animal,” Jerry said quietly.
    Heather gripped Marc’s hand and squeezed, seeking the comfort of human contact. He returned the gentle squeeze and whispered, “If it wasn’t a human or an animal – what was it?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Heather returned the whisper. “Marc! Look – over at the fence. The mask is gone.”
    The boy and girl stared at each other. Marc said, “Heather, we have to tell the police about this.”
    â€œThey won’t believe us,” Heather whispered. “Adults don’t believe in ghosts and stuff like that. We probably won’t either in ten years. I think growing up means you lose something. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad.”
    â€œThen? . . .”
    â€œI don’t know. Listen.”
    â€œDoctor Baldwin,” the lieutenant said. “Exactly what are you saying?”
    Jerry shook his head. “Officer, let me ask you something. You’ve been a cop for a long time?”
    â€œYears.”
    â€œYou’ve personally witnessed or seen pictures of . . . oh ... several hundred violent deaths?”
    â€œAt least that many.”
    â€œEver seen death, accidental or planned, that even vaguely resembled this?” He pointed to Lisa’s still-uncovered naked body.
    â€œNo,” the big trooper admitted.
    Jerry’s eyes dropped to his nametag. Voyles. “All right. What I’m saying, Lieutenant Voyles, is this: would an animal bake Lisa’s head? Would a human being drain or suck every drop of blood from her body? It’s obvious to me that Lisa was killed right here. But are there any tracks other than her own? It rained last night; the area is still muddy. But the only tracks belong to Lisa. Look there.” He pointed to a wallowed-out spot in the spongy earth. “Lisa stood right there for some period of time. Her ankles are covered with dried mud. Caked on. It’s obvious she struggled with or against something while being forced to remain in this one spot . . . but what did she struggle with? If it was something . . . here we go ... tangible, wouldn’t there be footprints of some kind? Sure, there would. But where are they?”
    No one spoke for a moment. Finally, the young state trooper blurted out, “Jesus Christ, Doc. What in the hell are you suggesting?”
    Voyles looked at him. “Shut up, Kowalski.” He swung his gaze back to Jerry. “I could say that you are a very glib man, Doctor.”
    Jerry shrugged. “You’re treading on thin ice, Lieutenant. Maybe you’d better read me my rights.”
    â€œI said I could say it, Doc. There is no law prohibiting me from vocal speculation as long as it is not directed toward you in question form.”
    The chief deputy laughed. “I gotta remember that, Voyles.”
    â€œOr,” Voyles continued, “I could say that you are a very observant man, Doc. Maybe you should have been a cop.”
    â€œMy oldest brother was,” Jerry said. “Missouri Highway Patrol. He was killed ten years ago in a shootout.”
    â€œYeah,” Voyles said softly. “I should have put that together. Sergeant Charles Baldwin. Sure. Now I know who you are. The sportswriters used to call you ‘One-Two Baldwin.’ You were a hell of a boxer, Doc.”
    â€œBut not a serious contender. I boxed to become a doctor. All right, Lieutenant, let’s clear the air. I last saw my wife alive yesterday morning, at my office. My nurse, Janet, was present. My wife and I quarreled. She left in a huff. Two