SANTA FE HOMICIDE (CLEAN SUSPENSE) (The City Murders) by John C. Dalglish

Author:John C. Dalglish [Dalglish, John C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

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Maria had waited impatiently for the medical investigator to arrive. Part of her impatience was mollified when she saw Greg Stewart pull up. At least she had consistency with him since he had been at the last fire.

The door swung open on the white van emblazoned with the words Office of the Medical Investigator, and Stewart forced his round frame out of the driver’s side. His black jumpsuit bore a large white OMI lettering on the back, and it strained under his ample torso. He cradled a large cup of coffee. “Good morning again, Maria.”

“Hi, Greg. This is Detective Tanner. He’s from the state patrol.”

“Morning to you as well, Detective Tanner.”

Cody nodded. “A very early morning.”

Stewart grunted. “In my business, it's the only kind.”

Maria stifled a yawn. “In ours, too.”

Stewart stared at what was left of the duplex. “They find an accelerant?”

“Yes. Won’t know which one until later today or tomorrow.”

“How many victims?”

“Just one so far.” She turned toward the apartment. “We need to go in through the rear entrance.”

“Let me grab my bag.” He opened the back of the van and retrieved a leather satchel. “Lead away.”

They formed a line of three, Maria, followed by Greg, and Cody bringing up the rear. Dodging water puddles, they went around to the back of the building where they found Matt Ballard talking to one of his team. Maria paused. “You want to guide us in?”

“Sure.” He went through the back door opening and carefully stepped across the small living room to the kitchen. The line of investigators stayed roughly in his tracks. The interior had been illuminated by portable lights, but the darkness from a moonless night still made every step treacherous.

Colored triangles with numbers on them were placed in numerous spots along the path they took to the kitchen. Matt pointed at one. “Accelerant samples were taken at every one of these.” At the entrance to the kitchen, he stopped and let his flashlight beam hit the bracelet.

Greg Stewart’s face had gone blank, his emotions tucked away for the moment. Maria had seen it before, the seriousness of what her friend did always weighed on him. Like her, he found his purpose in speaking for the dead and defending their right to get justice for what had happened to them.

He took out his camera and documented everything around the body. “Help me remove the debris.”

Matt and Greg lifted the roofing materials off the body and slid them aside.

With the available light, Maria could now see the outline of the victim. What she now assumed was a female had been a small individual. She guessed five-one or two. While there was more skin on the torso than the previous victims, no shoes or other clothing had survived the blaze.

The three onlookers stood in silence while Stewart took more photos. When he was done, he took a penlight and got very close to the skull. After just a few seconds, he looked back at Maria. “Hole behind the ear, most likely a gunshot entrance wound.

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