The pavement is wet. The early morning rain cannot wash the sins of a city away; especially the sins that resulted in the murder of Jamie West. Jim stood over the body of his former college lover. For the first time in this whole ordeal he felt sick to his stomach.
"Her neck is broken," the ME reported, "but that's not how she died. "
"Look here," she continued, "finger marks around her neck, she was strangled. And the crazy thing about it is, she didn't fight back. There are no signs of any struggle."
"Hmm."
"I talked to the neighbors," Ieasha said, "She said she brought a date home yesterday afternoon. A woman. The two were obviously very close. They closed the door and no one saw her until...well, not until now."
"Follow me," Jim ordered.
They walked into a coffee shop, sat down and ordered a drink.
"Did they find another mark on her?"
"The investigation is still preliminary, but no, not yet. Jim what is this all about?"
"I knew her; in college. We were together."
"Oh my god."
"I know. Janet, I thought, was a coincidence. Where do we go from here?"
"We work the case. Did the two ever have contact? Ever meet?"
"Jamie was at our wedding. She didn't even stay long. We hadn't spoken since I don't know how long."
Jim hears his radio crackle.
"This is 7c17, go."
"Jim this Dan down at the scene. You should get back down here."
The two partners start to leave. "Do me a favor, Esha, keep the connection between us, for just a bit."
Ieasha nods in agreement.