Chapter 24

When Brendan straightened and leaned over to try and look down the drain, Jeremy spoke up behind him. “What are you doing?”

“Something’s in there.” Not that he could see it. “One of the first things you learn in narcotics is always check the plumbing. Idiots are always trying to flush away shit that gets stuck. I don’t think anybody checked this.”

“With all due respect to your previous experience, could it just be…well…shit? This is an old house, after all.”

“It could.” He glanced back. “But what if it’s not and I don’t look?”

“I’ll just take Raider for a walk when you decide it’s time to take apart the ancient plumbing.”

He couldn’t resist a smile. “Getting disillusioned with police work already?”

“Just the part that may deal with the dried remains of backed-up plumbing.” Jeremy crossed the room and gently nudged a partially closed door. A flight of steep, narrow stairs led almost straight down. “I think I found the basement.”