Max’s expression was inscrutable. Giles broke the standoff with a friendly overture. “Charlotte, this is a new look for you. Very, pardon me for saying so, hot.” “Hello, Giles.” “Here for a professional or personal visit?” Max coolly said, “It’s always business first. What can I help you with, Detectives?” “Doing some off-the-clock follow-up on a witness statement,” Babineau stated with equal chill. “One vic dead at the scene with a gunshot wound a few blocks from our motel. The witness claims there was another DB minus a heart that somehow managed to disappear before the police got there. Plenty of blood to suggest she was telling the truth.” “If you’re asking to search the premises for your missing body, I’ll want to see a warrant first, and to have my attorney present. But perhaps I can save you some time by telling you there’s no one on site without a pulse.” “You must have walked right by that alley on your way back to your car. Right about the time the DB was bleeding out.
