She made her way back out of the alley, trying to hide the anxiety coursing through her. Eileen was usually good at controlling her nerves. It went with being a cop and, especially, a female cop.
“Does Sharlene have a TOD?” Eddie asked.
“Within the last two hours.”
He blew out a breath. “Damn.”
“Have you taken the witness statement?”
“Yeah. He was on his way home from work. Chad Baker,” he said, signaling with his head.
“Thoughts?”
“Could have done it, but he has no blood on him. Also, I already checked with the restaurant where he works. He only left about ten minutes before he called 911. With her being murdered in the last two hours…”
“Highly unlikely. Although, I guess we’ll have to double-check his alibi.”
Her partner nodded. “You might want to check him out before we turn him loose.”
She walked over and found the man sitting in the back of a squad car. The door was open. He was holding his head in his hands.
“Sir?”
He looked up at her, his gaze a little unfocused. She had seen it before, way too many times. People knew about murders and spent their days and nights watching all kinds of true crime. It was different when you were part of it. Light blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and a slight build. She would put him in his early to mid-twenties.
“Mr. Baker, I was told you found the body?”
He swallowed and nodded. “I was walking down the street to catch the bus and saw her feet on the other side of the dumpster. I know there are a lot of people who drink too much down here. Working at the bar, I see it all the time.”
She nodded. “How did you know it was a woman?”
He shrugged. “Little feet, so I assumed.”
The woman was small in stature.
His head was in his hands again. “I thought maybe it was just a mannequin.”
Ninety-nine percent of the time, it wasn’t a mannequin.
“Okay, Mr. Baker, we will probably have more questions, but I’ll have one of the officers take you home.”
His head rose. “I can get home on my own.”
“I know you can, but sometimes, people in your situation can have delayed responses. Do you live alone?”
He shook his head. “I live with my boyfriend.”
“And he’s home tonight?”
He nodded.
“Good. Sit tight, and we’ll get you home safely.”
She did not need this man going into shock on the way home. Watching murder on TV was a lot easier than being up close and personal with it in real life.
After sending one of the officers back to the man, Eileen returned to her partner.
“Yeah, the guy looks like he’s going into shock.”
