Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“They turned the fields into a dog park,” I say with a grin. “But there are photo spots where you can put your heads through and make it look like your dog is a horse. And there’s a foam pit in the old dunking tank…” my voice trails off when I spot an older black woman in a lab coat coming our way. Her expression is kind, but sad.
“Ms. Vale? I'm so sorry. I'm Dr. Cameron, the medical examiner. This is never easy, but if you'll come with me, we'll get this over with as gently as I can,” she says in a tone filled with sympathy.
“First step,” Stiff says quietly, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
Everything is so clinical. Sterile. I might work in the medical field, but I haven’t spent much time in hospitals, and she leads us through doors that only open with her keycard, and into hallways that feel different from the publicly accessible areas. This is where you go when you either work here, or something has gone very, very wrong. The people we pass are quiet, and they seem to avoid eye contact.
Dr. Cameron stops outside a room with her name and the time written on a whiteboard outside. There’s a clipboard in a container under an access panel. “What happens now is that we’ll go into the next room, and you let me know if you recognize the deceased. Having visual identification is best, but we have enough supporting evidence to be relatively certain of her identity. I think it’s important that you understand that if this is too much for you, I can show you pictures and that will be enough to let us proceed with the investigation.” She looks at Jackal and Lash. “I’m sorry, but only Ms. Vale has been authorized. You can wait out here. It shouldn’t take long.”
I’ve been dreading this since they called, but I have to see it through. If I don’t, there will always be a part of me that wonders. “Is she—is it bad?”
The doctor shakes her head. “Her injuries were severe, but it was largely internal.”
Right. “I want to see her.”
“Alright. This way.” She pulls the clipboard from its spot and taps her card to the access panel. A green light flashes and I hear the click of the door lock.
My feet don’t want to move.
Jackal comes up behind me and wraps an arm over my shoulder and across my collar bones, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “One step at a time.”
I look at Lash, who nods. “We’ll be right here waiting.”
The next room is less scary than I thought. I was expecting a creepy lab with rows of refrigerated drawers, but it’s a simple room with a gurney in the middle. There’s a human form under a hospital sheet, and Dr. Cameron walks solemnly to the head and pulls back the top, revealing the body down to its shoulders.
Her shoulders.
“It’s her.” Those two words take all the air in my lungs. I spin around and leave, running straight into Lash’s chest. His arms go around me and the feel of his warmth is all that’s keeping me from falling apart.
Dr. Cameron follows me after a few moments. “Thank you for your help. I know it’s not easy. Because of the circumstances, there are still tests to be run. I have to warn you that in these situations it can take up to a few weeks before her remains can be released.”
“Circumstances?” Jackal asks. “I thought it was a car accident. What tests do you need? Was anyone else involved?”
For the first time, Dr. Cameron looks a little uncomfortable. “I really can’t provide any more information. The police will be in touch with Ms. Vale soon. Do you have any questions?”
I’ll probably have a hundred later, but I shake my head. All I want right now is to get out of here and back to Logan. I want to get pizza and go back to our shabby apartment. I want to lock the door, stand under the shower as hot as it’ll go for as long as it takes to wash this day off my skin. I want to let Logan sleep in my room tonight so I can listen to him breathing and remind myself we’re both safe.
Stiff and Logan have moved to a nearby flowerbed. Logan points at something and they both laugh. I’ll have to figure out how to explain to Logan what’s going on, but not yet.
Jackal takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You going to be okay?”
Yes. No.
“Eventually.”
“Can they eat pizza with us?” Logan asks when he spots us.
“Not tonight, Lo. I’ve had a really long day.”
Stiff ruffles his hair. “Don’t worry, bud. Your mom’s got my number. We’ll find a time for you to come look at the bikes again.”