“You’re going in there?” Sophia’s face paled. “There are dead people in there.”
“Unfortunately. It’s a part of the job.” He opened the door.
“How many dead bodies have you seen?”
“Too many.” He stepped out and turned to face her. “Stay in the car. Lock the doors.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted him.
He shook his head and shut the door. After showing the receptionist his badge, he was escorted to the coroner’s office.
“Deputy Marshal Roberts.” A petite woman in her early forties, dressed in scrubs, stuck her hand out.
He shook it. “Dr. Falleur.”
“What can I do for you today?”
“I was wondering about the body found in the fire yesterday. Do you have an identity yet?”
He had a pretty good idea who the victim might be, and if so, the Marshals would need to investigate how a witness set to testify had been killed.
Hopefully she was willing to say, even if it wasn’t technically his case to work. He had a little more freedom with the forensic pathologist than he did with the fire captain. She was less likely to ask probing questions since she was used to dealing with law enforcement.
She rounded the desk and tapped the screen of her tablet. “The body was too burnt for a visual identification. I can tell you it’s a man. Luckily, his right hand was curled in a fist under his body. I’m dehydrating his fingers. Hopefully, it’ll be enough to get prints.”
Then they had to hope that his prints were in the system. If so, it wouldn’t take long to determine the victim’s identity. Then they’d be a step closer to finding out if Samantha’s cover had been blown.
And whether he had to upend her entire life just to keep her safe.
ELEVEN
Sam pushed open the station door and held it for Bella. “Come on, sleepy head. Another new day awaits.”
Bella dragged herself inside the station and slumped into one of the recliners in the dayroom. “It’s so early.”
“Bella, you only woke up thirty minutes early.” Teenagers were so dramatic.
Sam went to the coffeepot, refusing to admit she was probably as tired as Bella. It was difficult to get quality sleep with her sister tossing and turning beside her.
Bella groaned and pulled the hood of her hoodie over her eyes. She burrowed into the recliner.
“Good morning, ladies.” Greer walked into the dayroom, duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
“Why is he so cheery?” Bella pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
“Because, Bella.” Greer gently tapped her on the head. “It’s a beautiful day.”
She pulled her hoodie back and glared at Greer. “Are you on drugs?”
He grinned. “Nope, they test us.”
“Come on, Bella, you can go back to sleep in a bunk room.”
The teen groaned and stood, following as Sam walked through the dayroom and down the hall that led to the bunk areas. The station was a fairly new build, so that meant they each had their own small room. A nice cozy room big enough for a twin XL bed, a nightstand, and a wardrobe. Sam chose the bunk room closest to the dayroom so she could keep an eye on Bella.
She could have let her stay with Cass, but Sam wasn’t quite ready to leave her alone for too long. The pain and agony of thinking she was dead was still too fresh. If she could see Bella, she’d know she was okay.
Sam tucked her duffel bag in the wardrobe and grabbed a set of bedding. “Here you go.” She handed the sheets, blanket, and pillow to Bella, then left to let her make the bed and get some rest.
