BioKill by Stuart Handley Page B

call the police here a couple of days ago?”
    “I sure did — and it was high time somebody did something about that damn caterwaulin’…
    Lilburn cut off what looked like turning into a lengthy tirade. “Bonny, I bet you could tell us a thing or two about those two men next door?”
    “You bet your bottom dollar.”
    “When did you last see them?”
    “This morning they woke me up real early with that wailing and chanting, then a bit later after some more wailing, they ups and goes out.”
    Inspector Gibbons moved in closer. “There might be some CCTV cameras around this area. If Bonny here can identify them from footage we can get out an APB. That all right with you, ma’am?”
    Bonny turned her attention to Gibbons. “Folks around here don’t take kindly to cameras snooping on them. I don’t want no perverts looking at me neither. And what’s an AP whatsit?”
    “Sorry, ma’am, didn’t mean to offend you.” Gibbons explained that security cameras could help in providing information on what the two Syrian men were wearing, so police could issue the description to patrols in the area.
    “You don’t need no cameras to do that — I know exactly what they was wearing and the exact time they left. I wrote it all down.” She leaned into Lilburn and whispered. “Evidence.”
    Lilburn stifled a smile. “Bonny, I would really appreciate it if I could see what you wrote.”
    “You just wait here, hon, and let old Bonny get her writing pad.” Bonny felt pleased with herself, and smiled up at Lilburn. Gibbons got a quick, less-than-approving look as she went back inside to retrieve her notes.
    “Here it is, honey bunch, all written down. Now let me see. Ah yes.” Bonny read out aloud from her notes.
    Gibbons wrote down the information. When she finished, she watched Gibbons completing his writing. “Wonder you don’t just take a picture of my book wid your phone. Be quicker.”
    Lilburn grinned, pleased with her informative notes. It was time to see what was in the apartment next door. “It’s been a pleasure, Bonny, you’ve done well. If by chance you see your neighbors again, would you mind giving me a call?” Taking out a business card he handed it over.
    Bonny held the card out at arm’s length. “My, my… Homeland Security!” Bonny held the card up comparing the likeness of the photo ID to the tall man standing in front of her. “You’re a handsome young man, Matt Lilburn. If I were forty years younger I’d invite you in… not him though,” Bonny indicated Gibbons.
    She burst out laughing as Lilburn gave her a wink.
     
    As expected, the door was locked. Lilburn didn’t waste any time as he stepped back and gave an almighty kick. The door flew open.
    “Officer Maitland, compare what you see now with what you and Martinez saw the other day,” Lilburn said as they entered the living area.
    “Looks pretty much the same, sir, nothing jumps out.” Maitland tried to remember the brief visit. “I recall speaking to one of the suspects here in this room, then I went into the kitchen over there.” Moving around Lilburn and the inspector, the officer entered the kitchen area. “The wrapping paper with the stamps on it was on the bench about here… not there now though… hang on. Some folk keep their garbage under the sink.” Opening a cupboard door the officer removed the object he had been looking for and placed it on the sink bench. The light-blue-colored rectangular plastic bin was half full of household rubbish and decomposing food scraps. “Ah shit. Hey, Martinez, you got any gloves on you?”
    The officer shook his head. “Sorry.”
    “Great.” If the inspector wasn’t here Maitland would have detailed Martinez to sort through the pile. Deciding the sink was the best place to empty the container he first placed the sink plug in the drain hole. As he upended the bin the contents spewed out, helped with a couple of quick jerks and a tap on its bottom.
    “Yep, there’s what