Tell No Tales

African-American police detective Marti MacAlister and her Polish-American partner, Vic, turn introspective in the seventh volume of Bland's popular series (See No Evil, etc.). Both Chicago detectives are intrigued when the mummified corpse of a pregnant African-American female is found in an abandoned downtown theater. After Barnabas Cheney, the wealthy theater owner's mentally disturbed son, is killed in another downtown building, Marti and Vic suspect his murder may be related to the petrified body. Working with few clues (a missing picture in an antique frame, a Swiss pocket watch), the seasoned officers begin what looks to be a routine investigation--only each promising lead winds up a dead end. Not until they start delving into Barnabas's past do Marti and Vic find a connection between the mummy and Vic's old police mentor, Curly. The discovery of Curly's possible corruption places a wedge between the partners, who are already stretched by their personal lives: Marti is having difficulty adjusting to her recent marriage and Vic's wife is suffering from a vicious flare-up of multiple sclerosis. Bland again engages the reader on many levels as Marti and Vic reevaluate their partnership while solving the case that could divide them forever. Agent, Ted Chichak. Author tour. (Feb.)