Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders) (24 page)

“Let me ask my supervisor, but I think he will be happy to help you. The last thing we want is some bad publicity,” Barb replied.

“Thank you, Ms. Marston,” the sheriff said. “In that case, I need to speak with your supervisor, please. We have to find those effects now.”

Barb sighed and glanced at her watch. “Wait right here.”

After several minutes of waiting, Dr. Grant walked through the doors followed by Barb. “I understand there are some effects missing?”

Sheriff Johnson glared at him, “Yes, there are. Everything that was with Timothy Fields’ body is missing. According to your staff member here, they are nowhere to be found.”

Dr. Grant turned toward Barb, “Did you tag and store those clothes?”

Barb looked him in the eyes and replied, “Yes, Doctor, I did; and I put them in the locker like we always do.”

Leading the entire group to the secured locker room, Dr. Grant asked Barb, “What locker number is it listed as?”

“It should be in
locker 5
,” she replied, “but as you can see the lock has been removed and nothing is inside.”

All eyes peered inside the empty locker.

Dr. Grant pursed his lips, and let out a deep breath. He glared at Barb and asked her, “Are you sure you put the items in that particular locker? Is there a chance you put them in another one?”

Barb’s face immediately became very pale as she defended herself, “Sir, I know just as I am standing right here that I put those clothes in there, closed the door and turned the key. I even wrote it down on the clipboard. I specifically remember it was the last one on the right. I took special precautions because I knew it was a potential homicide.”

Grabbing the clipboard from the bin on the wall nearby, she pointed to the name
Timothy Fields
by the number ‘
5’
on the chart.

“Maybe you just thought you did?” John interrogated her.

Barb tapped her finger several times on Timothy’s name as she replied, “No. I specifically remember. I also recorded this locker number in the personal effects information for the victim in our system. This locker number matches the number I recorded on the clipboard and the computer.” She showed the clipboard to Sheriff Johnson.

Sheriff Johnson pointed to the edge of the locker door. “Look!” He showed where the door was bent on the inside, as well as a large scratch on the outside. “It appears someone broke in to this locker using a crowbar.” Pointing his finger at the damage, he continued, “It’s pretty distinct. See how these particular dents look like a crow’s foot?”

Peter and John leaned over, peering at the bent metal.

“It sure does,” Peter agreed.

Dr. Grant commented, “It does look like the lock was pried open.”

John lowered his head and cleared his throat. “Any idea of who you think would’ve taken them?”

“Well, that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?” the sheriff replied.

Sheriff and Peter paused for a moment, then each took a pair of latex gloves and put them on.

Peter raised his eyebrows and said, “We’ll study the surveillance tapes for the morgue and see who had them last. That should give us a place to start. For all we know, they were put in another locker by mistake. Although, the crowbar indentions make me think otherwise.”

John smiled slightly and said, “If those items have any evidence on them, then it is easy to understand why they’d take them before they were tested for DNA.”

“Of course, that’s why they were taken,” Peter crossed his arms.

Once again, Sheriff Johnson looked at Jane and Barb, and then back at Dr. Grant. “We need to search this place high and low. I don’t care if it takes all day and night.”

Barb and Jane nodded in agreement.

Dr. Grant replied, “We will do what we can.”

“How quickly can you get that footage to me? I’d like to have it
STAT,
as you doctors say,” the sheriff said in an attempt at humor.

“I can have it ready by the end of the day. It will take a little time to save a copy of the video footage for you.”

Sheriff Johnson took a deep breath and replied, “I really need to take them with me now if possible. That way I know they couldn’t have been tampered with or exchanged.”

Dr. Grant replied, “We can go talk to our security officer on duty right now, if you wish. He would be the one that can help you.”

“Thank you, Doctor. That’s perfect. Please allow me just a moment.”

The doctor nodded as the sheriff turned towards John and Peter. “Well, you heard what I’ll be doing. Peter, do you want to go with me?”

“With all due respect, the body is the reason I’m here. Do you mind if I make arrangements to transport the victim to my lab while you take care of that?” Peter replied.

Sheriff Johnson said, “Not at all.” Turning to John and Katy, he said, “Do you want to see the body now? Or, I could just keep you informed.”

John replied, “I have plenty to do in the office. If you can update me later, that would be great.”

“All right, I’ll call you when I have more information,” Sheriff Johnson replied.

“Sounds good.” Looking at Katy, John asked her, “Ready to go?”

“Of course,” Katy smiled. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Dr. Balkan had taken a special interest in her. She grabbed John’s hand and held it tightly.

John saw how Peter was watching his fiancé, and did his best to control his growing jealousy. “Dr. Balkan, I hope you can solve this case quickly. Have a nice night, everyone.” John thought,
I really do hope you leave soon, Romeo. You’re flirting with the wrong woman. She’s mine.

With that, everyone said their good-byes as John escorted Katy down the hallway towards the entrance.

The sheriff looked at Dr. Grant and asked, “Can you show the body to Dr. Balkan first? Then you can take me to talk to the security officer.”

“Of course,” the doctor said as he continued, “Right this way.”

Sheriff Johnson and Peter followed Dr. Grant to the hospital morgue’s examination room. When they entered, the body of Timothy Fields was already arranged on the coroner’s table covered with a sheet.

Peter lifted his forensics kit and placed it on a side table nearby. “I guess I can get started.” Turning to Dr. Grant, he asked him, “Can you have a copy of the entire autopsy report made for me while I’m here, please?”

“I’ll take care of it for you.” Pushing the speaker button, he called his assistant’s extension. “Barb, can you make three copies of all the Timothy Fields’ forensic reports for these gentlemen, and then assist Dr. Balkan for a few minutes while I help the sheriff?”

Barb’s voice sounded over the speaker, “Right away, Doctor.”

“Thank you, Barb,” he said and then hung up. Turning to Peter, he said, “All taken care of, Dr. Balkan.”

Peter replied, “Thank you, Dr. Grant. I can start looking over the body on my own, if you need to assist the sheriff with those security videos.”

“All right, it won’t take very long. Please don’t make any incisions though. Just ask Barb if you need anything.”

“That’ll be fine.”

Dr. Grant looked at the sheriff and asked, “Ready to go talk to the security officer?”

“Absolutely. Lead the way,” the sheriff replied.

C
HAPTER
22

Left alone in the hospital morgue, Dr. Peter Balkan walked over and pulled back the light blue sheet covering the body of Timothy Fields. Nearby, a few bodies draped in sheets and lying on gurneys waited to be autopsied. Others were in black body bags with tags awaiting to be taken elsewhere.

Only a moment later, Barb entered the lab dressed in green scrubs and carrying a folder. “Dr. Grant asked me to assist you until he returns.”

Noticing the wedding ring on Barb’s left hand, Peter decided not to attempt any small talk. “I appreciate the help. I’m not doing a thorough examination here, but I will need to have the body transported to my lab.” Putting on a pair of latex gloves, Peter added, “Dr. Grant mentioned that I was going to get a copy of the Timothy Fields’ autopsy report?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got it right here,” Barb smiled as she handed him the manila folder.

Peter began to review the autopsy report. “Did you work with Dr. Grant on this autopsy?”

“Yes, we examined it and his conclusion was that the victim was strangled with a rope or some similar object. We did find a large gash on his forehead, some other defensive wounds, and rope filaments on his skin.” Pointing to some large bruises on the neck, she added, “This is where we found them, so we obviously determined that he was strangled with a rope. Apparently, they haven’t found the actual rope used in the murder yet.”

“That’s what I heard. So, he was in the water for at least ten to twelve hours?”

Barb replied, “Yes, Doctor. We had to take the extremely cold temperatures into consideration, so there is a couple of hours’ error margin. Most of the damage to the body after it was disposed of was due to animals ravaging it.”

“I don’t see anything in the report about anything under the fingernails. Do you remember if he found anything from the victim scratching the unknown subject?” Peter asked, scanning several pages as he as he looked through the report.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t find any conclusive evidence under the fingernails. There was mostly dirt there.”

“Thank you. I’m now working on this case in cooperation with the sheriff’s department; so after I transport his body to my lab, I will run more tests and do our own examination.”

“We’ll get all of our paperwork and transfer orders taken care of by the end of the day. We should be able to have the body delivered to your lab shortly after. I’ll need the address to send it to, along with your information and identification, so I can fill out my paperwork.”

Peter reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card. Handing it to her, he said, “The lab address is listed here with my contact information. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

Taking the card, Barb replied, “Thank you, Dr. Balkan. I will also need to make a copy of your driver’s license. If you are all set until Dr. Grant gets back, I’ll go ahead and get this started for you.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you very much for your help,” he said, pulling out his driver’s license and handing it to her. “I’ll have plenty to do while I wait. Don’t worry about me.”

Barb smiled at him and said, “Thank you. I’ll make a copy of this and get it right back to you. If you need anything, just push extension 152. I’ll be at my desk.”

“All right, ma’am. I’ll call if I need anything.”

As Barb left through the door, Peter picked up his cell phone and dialed his lab. “Coke? It’s Peter. I’ve got an update for you.”

On the other end of the line, Coke Bottle Ray greeted him. “Hey, Doc! So what’s the news?”

“I’m at the Wattsville Hospital morgue right now getting the transfer order through. Just waiting on paperwork at this point. They said they can deliver the body late today. I wanted to give you a heads up so you’ll be ready.”

“That’s great! I was hoping that’s what you were calling about.”

Peter chuckled and said, “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to be really busy.”

“Okay, Boss. I’ll be ready for everything and let you know when it gets here.”

“Sounds good, Coke. I need to get some more stuff done here. I’ll talk to you in a bit.”

Coke replied, “Okay. Talk to you then.”

Peter hung up his phone and put it in his pocket. Opening a small case, he picked up the camera and took off the lens cap. Lifting it up to his eyes, he began taking pictures of the body while waiting for Dr. Grant to return.

* * * *

Sheriff Johnson followed Dr. Grant down the hallway to the hospital security officer’s surveillance room. Dr. Grant knocked on the door. Immediately, it opened and an older man with peppered hair stood in front of them. The man’s security uniform had a small nameplate on it that said
Jim Thompson
.

“Hello, Dr. Grant and Sheriff Johnson. You rarely need to speak with me, so there must be something up. How can I help you, gentlemen?”