Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

Author:Tom Threadgill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense;School bus accidents—Texas—San Antonio;Criminal investigations—Texas—San Antonio;FIC042060;FIC030000
ISBN: 9781493421305
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2019-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Amara and Sara met with the deputy ME and asked her to walk them through the steps involved in processing and shipping DNA samples. In cases where the specimens were collected from the recently deceased, the work was done on-site, usually during the autopsy. Gathering DNA from the living was rare, but a member of their lab team handled it when necessary.

Whatever paperwork might be needed was placed in an envelope with the sample, and everything was cross-labeled with tracking numbers before the package was sealed and delivered to the mailroom. Key card security prevented unauthorized access to the area. From there, the specimen was overnighted to whichever lab currently had the bid to handle the testing.

Amara requested the personnel records of anyone with access to the mailroom at the time of the Cotulla incident. Dr. Stovall hesitated and explained she didn’t want to release personal information before confirming with Dr. Pritchard, but she could provide a list of names along with their dates of employment. The two investigators agreed, with the understanding that if they needed more, Dr. Stovall would do everything possible to obtain it for them.

Sara and Amara sat in a small conference room and reviewed the data. Three people worked in the mailroom at the time of Cotulla, plus at least two dozen more with access. Any of them could’ve tampered with the shipments, but to do so on such a large scale would have been difficult.

“Focus on the three mailroom employees. Simplest solution’s usually the best,” Sara said.

Amara scanned the list of names and dates again. “And in this case, that would be, here we go, Harvey Branson. Mailroom supervisor for seven years prior to Cotulla. Quit working here the year after the incident. The other two workers are still employed.”

“Want to talk to them first? See if they get nervous or remember anything unusual?”

“No. The fewer people we talk to, the better. Let’s get Branson’s personnel records first. See if there’s anything pointing to him. I’ll track down Dr. Stovall and ask her to pull his file.”

Sara stood and covered her mouth as she yawned. “I’ll find her. I need to stretch my legs anyway.”

“Her office is across from the ME’s, but I’m guessing you knew that.”

The Ranger winked and grabbed her hat off the table. “Wait here, Detective. I’ll be back in a few. Might take a little longer if Douglas hasn’t given his okay to release personnel files to us.”

“You got it. I’m going to hit the vending machines. You want anything?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Amara wandered the hallways until she found the break room, then selected a bottled water from the Coke machine. She scanned the snacks, debating between the Cheetos and the Snickers. Either was a bad choice, but it wouldn’t be the first she’d made. The Snickers won out, having convinced her the energy boost would come quicker. So would the crash. Besides, she didn’t have any chopsticks.

The sound of boots on tile echoed from the doorway, and she turned to see Sara hurrying into the room, hat in one hand, manila folder in the other.

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