Forsaken Souls: A Bailey Flynn FBI Mystery Thriller Book Six by Melinda Woodhall

Author:Melinda Woodhall [Woodhall, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Magnolia
Published: 2025-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Cate scanned the petition one last time, making sure she had included the correct information about Rachel Cho’s original autopsy and burial before sending the document to the printer. Getting to her feet, she collected the document and headed to the elevator, hoping to find Judge Walsh still in his chambers.

Stepping off the elevator, she hurried down the hall and slipped into the outer office where Inez Flores sat at her desk.

“How can I help you, dear?” the law clerk asked.

She continued typing as she looked up and smiled.

“I’m looking for Judge Walsh,” Cate said. “I have an emergency petition to exhume a body in-”

“Judge Walsh went home early,” Inez said, quickly cutting her off. “He scheduled a long weekend away and won’t be back in the office until Monday. But I think Judge Nelson is still in his chambers if you want to stick your head in.”

Suppressing a grimace, Cate thanked Inez and turned away, not sure what to do. She could either wait until next week to speak to Judge Walsh, who would be more likely to grant her petition, or she could walk straight into Judge Nelson’s chambers and plead her case.

Slowly and without much enthusiasm, she began to move toward Judge Nelson’s Chambers.

The new judge had been appointed by the governor to replace Judge Brett Inglebert on the bench after the man had resigned due to public outrage over pending bribery charges.

Glenn Nelson would now serve out the remaining two years of Inglebert’s original six-year term, and Cate was already giving serious thought to challenging the pompous man for his seat. But two years was a while away. She would need to play nice with Nelson in the meantime.

Following Inez’s advice, Cate stuck her head into Nelson’s chamber and found the judge pulling on his suit jacket, preparing to leave for the day.

He was a barrel-chested man with salt and pepper hair and a thick mustache that hid his upper lip. His normal facial expression was one of casual disdain, which closely matched his predominate attitude toward the world.

When he saw Cate standing in his doorway, he didn’t bother to hide his annoyance.

“Inez said I might be able to catch you before you leave.”

Holding up her printout, she spoke quickly.

“I’ve got an emergency petition for an exhumation. A young woman named Rachel Cho was buried three years ago. Her death was ruled a suicide. The new M.E. and the BHPD now have reason to believe she’s a victim of foul play.

“They want to conduct another autopsy, but they need a court order to exhume the body first. They’ve asked the State to petition the court so…here I am.”

“Can’t they just ask the family for permission?” the judge asked. “That would be the proper procedure in this type of situation, wouldn’t it?”

Cate nodded.

“Yes, in most cases that would be the preferred option,” she agreed. “But it seems in this case, the family is no longer in the country. And time is of the essence.”

“Yes, of course, it is,” Nelson said sarcastically, shaking his head in contempt.

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