“Where did the blindfold come from?” asked Decker.
“From the judge’s closet,” answered Jacobs. “It was taken from a set of handkerchiefs she had.”
“Any trace of the killer left in the closet or here? Footprints, residue of blood spatter from stabbing the judge?” asked White.
“We’ve found nothing so far. We’re still dusting for prints, and we’ll take the prints of family and friends for elimination purposes, of course.”
Decker said, “So this might have been heat of the moment. The killing certainly seemed to be. And the killer used the judge’s handkerchief instead of bringing one already fashioned as a mask. What’d the killer use to cut the holes?”
“We’ve found nothing that had blood on it that would have been used.”
“The killer might have used the knife to do it and then took it with him or her,” said White, who then noted the card in an evidence bag next to the dead woman. “The card was found here?” she asked.
Jacobs nodded. “It was actually placed on her body.”
White looked at the card in the clear plastic bag. “‘Res ipsa loquitor.’”
She glanced over at Decker, who was watching her.
“Any paper or pen here match the card and the ink?” asked Decker.
“The pen is generic, but we’ve found no match here on the card so far,” said Andrews. “The killer might have brought it.”
“Any prints on the card?” asked White.
“No.”
“If the killer brought the card, thatdoessmack of premeditation,” noted White.
“Yes, it does,” said Decker. “But that coupled with the mask and the frenetic stabbing makes this a very contrarian crime scene.”
Decker looked around the space and noted a photo on the nightstand.
In the picture was the deceased, and on either side of her a man and a teenage boy.
Andrews picked up the photo with his gloved hand and said, “That’s Judge Cummins, of course. And that’s her ex-husband, Barry Davidson, and their son, Tyler. Looks like this was taken at the club, judging by the background.”
“The club?” asked White.
“Harbor Club. It’s right down the coast, about five minutes. They were members. Well, the judge was.”
“And her ex and her son? Where are they?”
“We contacted Barry Davidson. He lives nearby.”
“Alibi?”
“He was with his son. It was the week he had him.”
“So his son is his alibi?” said Decker.
“Yes. I understand the boy is devastated.”
“How old is he?”
“Seventeen.”
“Do you know the ex and the son?” asked Decker.