Chapter One. Tori Hunter always worked solo, but in Samantha Kennedy she found a partner, in more ways than one

Partners

Tori Hunter always worked solo, but in Samantha Kennedy she found a partner, in more ways than one. Casey O’Connor isn’t thrilled to learn that she has a new partner on the way. It’s been hard enough to transition from working with live victims to dead ones. Now Leslie Turner is going to slow down the process.
Professional duty trumps personal issues as the detectives focus on their latest case, a killer whose choice of victim is solitary women. The investigation raises a lot of questions around the killer’s means and opportunities. Leslie would be happy if the questions stopped there, but she’s also wondering why she’d rather spend time with these women—specifically Casey—than with her fiancé.
Casey would also like to stick to business, but as the case intensifies she finds herself also watching Tori and Sam and wondering how they balance their public personas and private passions. Figuring it out is a pointless exercise, she tells herself, because that kind of lightning can’t possibly strike twice.

Chapter One

"O'Connor, back here."

Casey followed the sound of Tori Hunter's voice, nodding at one of the new crime lab technicians who was dusting for prints near the phone. Whereas the apartment was neat and orderly, the bedroom was in shambles. She stopped in the doorway, finding Tori squatting beside the bed, listening to Mac describe the scene. The bed was a bloody mess.

" Jesus. "

Tori looked up, then motioned Casey closer. "Spencer already took the body."

"Hell of a lot of blood."

"Her throat was cut." Tori stood, pointing. "She was tied to the bed. Rita didn't think there was sexual trauma."

"But we found semen on the sheets and on the legs of the victim," Mac said. "I've already sent it back to the lab. Spencer will do a rape kit, but it kinda looks like our guy just left a deposit on the body."

"Who is she?" Casey asked. She was used to working with live victims, not dead. She still wasn't comfortable referring to the victim as a body.

"Sikes is with the apartment manager now, but the ID in her purse is Dana Burrows. College student. UT Dallas."

"There didn't appear to be forced entry," Casey stated. "Boyfriend?"

Tori shrugged. "Always possible. I sent a couple of the uniforms around to the neighbors to see if anyone knew her. But it's nearly ten. I suppose most have already headed to work."

"Who found her?"

"The manager. He said he got a call from a friend of hers. She was supposed to meet for a study session last night and didn't show. After not being able to reach her on her cell or by e-mail, she called the manager. He only remembers her name as Julie. He didn't get a last name."

"Okay. Well, I'll start at the university. Want me to take Sikes along?"

"No. I need John here. We'll need to locate the family. I'll have him interview them."

Casey nodded. She'd learned it was something Tori was not comfortable with, notifying families. Sikes, on the other hand, was good at it. His good looks and charm helped portray genuine regret and compassion, and most believed him when he said the police department would have the killer behind bars sooner rather than later.

Tori went back into the living room with Casey, motioning with her hand. "Nothing looks disturbed in here," she said.

"Maybe he had a key and came inside while she was asleep," Casey suggested.

"Possible. And if it was a boyfriend, having a key is probable."

"Well, let me go see what I can dig up at the university. I'll be in touch."

Tori stopped her. "Come by for dinner?"

Casey raised her eyebrows.

"Judging by what was on the counter this morning, Sam is making chicken spaghetti."

Casey grinned. "My favorite. I'll bring the wine."

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