Webb of Deception: A Crime Thriller Series (A Carter Webb Thriller Book 1) by Joe Lopa

Author:Joe Lopa [Lopa, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liquid Mind Publishing
Published: 2024-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

James twisted his wrist to check his watch. 9:03 am. He had spent the past twelve hours in the basement as a search warrant was secured, followed by the rest of the detectives making their way out to process the scene. With Agent Nelson assisting, the State Police allowed the FBI to control the scene without intervening.

Exhausted from holding the scene for the night, James sat on a chair watching co-workers collect evidence and take photographs. They had knocked down a six-by-six section of the wall, which revealed a small room on the other side. The room was no bigger than a walk-in closet. The body was tied to a wooden chair, but impossible to identify. Maggots had gnawed away at the flesh, making the deceased unrecognizable. Bones of the deceased were visible through the half-eaten body.

“How long you think it’s been there, boss?”

Dealto’s cheeks filled with air as he blew out through his mouth. “Hard to tell. I’m going for at least a year or two, though. There’s nothing left of it. I can’t even tell if it’s male or female. The smell must have just been trapped in here all these years.”

James stood up and approached the opening in the wall, body turned more towards Dealto than the crime scene. “Has to be a male.”

Dealto came up next to him, looking in at the skeleton. “Why’s that?”

“I’m no expert, just took a couple of college classes back in the day. I know males have thicker bones and smaller hips. Hips also sit a little higher. I mean there’s still a little meat on this guy, but that’s my two cents.”

Dealto looked over the body, seeming too non-verbally agree with James’ assessment. “The ME will be here soon. We’ll have them make this a high priority. Michaels, you got enough DNA samples?”

“Oh yeah. I took a bunch of swabs and hair strands. I’ll take the clothing after the autopsy’s done. I’ll get this stuff to the lab this afternoon and have them expedite it.”

“Good, I’ll call Jessica and see if we can get some of those results back today or tomorrow at the latest. We need some answers before the media gets ahold of this.”

James turned to the opening and stared again at the crime scene. Michaels was still swabbing dried, soiled areas in the dirt, while Shaw continued to take photos. James locked in on the decaying body. Slumped over and lifeless, it looked fake. The things he had seen over the past week or so, he couldn’t believe were real. He swept away into thoughts of life and death.

Someone smacked his back, the sound echoing slightly in the basement, snapping out of it, he turned to the side to see Dealto looking him in the eyes. “Are you okay, kid?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” James said, turning and walking back to his seat. “Been a long freaking night, that’s all.”

“If it makes you feel any better, this is one of the crazier weeks I’ve ever been a part of myself.

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