Landers wondered why Brown needed the notepad to impart such a brief summary. The guy was really thick. Landers began to walk around the bed, looking at the dead whale. There were dozens of stab wounds, most of them concentrated around the neck and chest.

”Preacher, huh? Looks like somebody didn’t like the sermon.”

”That’s the least of it,” Brown said. ”His dick’s gone.”

”Jesus! Really?” Landers hadn’t noticed with all the blood. He looked between the whale’s legs and there was nothing but a mess of dark red goo. Whoever cut it off had to work for it. Landers figured it had been quite a while since the whale had seen his own dick.

”And get this,” Brown said. ”Some woman called the sheriff’s department this morning. She lives out by Pickens Bridge, and her cat brought her a little gift. Turned out to be a human penis. Probably belongs to this guy.”

His logic was astounding. ”Any idea how long he’s been dead?” Landers said.

”He’s cold and stiff. I’d say more than eight hours.”

”Security cameras?”

”Just at the front desk. Nothing in the parking lot or anywhere else.”

A patrol officer knocked and walked in. He was carrying an eight-by-ten photo of the dead guy. He handed it to Brown, who handed it to Landers.

”Are you here to help or are you just sightseeing?”

Brown said.

”Your wish is my command, at least until the case officially gets dropped in my lap.”

Brown gave him an eat-shit look. ”Why don’t you take this down to the Purple Pig and ask around?”

”Done,” Landers said. ”Anything else?”

”I don’t think so. I’ve got people running down the woman who was on duty last night, canvassing the rooms, and working the Newport angle. You say forensics is on the way. I think we’ve got it under control for now.”