“Excellent. Thank you.”
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the place.”
A few yards away they entered the workspace. Six wooden desks sat in rows of three on a linoleum floor. A couple of offices sat off to the side in the back. Two of the six desks were occupied. A few faces were vaguely familiar.
“You remember Officer Adam and Officer Varney. They went to school with us.” The tow-haired, tall man with pale skin and the man with chin–length, dark hair had been in her classes from the time she was in kindergarten.
“Nice to see you again.” She gave a polite smile.
“Same here. Congratulations on your success,” Adams said.
“We’re proud of you here in Dale.” Varney grinned. The sincerity in the kind words warmed her. One of the perks of small-town living was when one of the town members made good, the whole town felt as if they were a part of it.
“Thank you.” She flashed a smile.
“Officer Rodriguez and Officer Nolan are new additions. You’ll meet them later. Chief’s out of the office for the next couple of days, but I’ll take you into mine.”
She followed him over to the smaller office on the opposite side of the room.
“Welcome to my office.” The mid-sized room boasted a black desk with a name tag, two chairs, and a filing cabinet. “Have a seat.”
She sank into the seat and he circled the desk, pulling a key from his pocket. Sitting down, he unlocked his desk drawer. He removed a manila file, placing it on top of the desk.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” His face softened and he lowered his voice.
Gulping, she braced herself. “As ready as I could ever be.”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen the file?”
The abundance of compassion made her squirm. If this continued she wouldn’t be able to get through it. “Yes.”
“Do you want to be alone?”
“No. You’re fine. This has to be done correctly. I’ll make sure that happens.” With you here the chances of tears is much less. I’m not about to be some blubbering mess in front of you.
Her hands were clammy. The file felt cool in her hands, like Clark. The impossibility of the situation had her reeling. Taking a deep breath, she put a tight grip on the meltdown lurking just around the corner in her head and prepared for the gruesome sight that awaited her.
She peeled open the folder, ignored the pictures gathered at the back with a paper clip. Glancing at the General Report she read. Savannah M. West. Words she could handle. Be objective. The generic jargon listing cause of death, suspected motives, and eye witness reports told her more of what she all ready knew.
Coroner’s Report. Tension flooded her body. Her mouth salivated. She sucked in air through her nostrils and let it out slow. Heart was removed from the body by a jagged instrument pre mortem. Wings carved onto the back of his skin with a precise instrument, like a scalpel. Interlocked symbols representing the male and female were carved into his wrist.
Jesus Clark, what did these bastards do to you?” The imagery tugged at her brain, but she couldn’t focus. It was like a snowball rolling downhill. Now that she started on the file, she had to finish, and that meant viewing everything.
***
Carey felt like a peeping Tom. The emotions that crossed Savannahs’ face were powerful. Grief poured off her in oppressive waves, its tendrils reaching out in an attempt to ensnare, wrap up him up in its binding grip. He pushed back from his desk and walked to the window. Peering out at nothing, he regulated his breathing. Automatically his mind began to replay that night. The same way it always did.
Summer, 2001
“Savannah and I are going to the carnival tonight. Do you want to go?”
Carey looked up at his brother from his twin bed and smiled. How could he be so clueless? The way Savannah looked at him was not sisterly. Perhaps if he gave them some time alone nature would take its course. God knew Clark talked about how he felt enough.
“No, I think I’ll hang back here. See if there’s a party going.” Give you a chance to make your move.
Clark sighed. “More partying?” The disappointment in his voice stung. It wasn’t like his brother to judge.
“What?” Carey placed his hands behind his head on the bed. “We’re only going to be young and free once.”