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“I plan on it,” Will said.
He moved aside to allow CSI to do their job, including covering the victim’s hands with bags to preserve any evidence, even though she’d been in the water for an unknown length of time.
“We know she’s been gone for at least twelve hours,” Will said.
Will and Laura stood off to the side, observing.
“I’ll keep myself immersed in this, just in case,” she said, winking. “It’s the cops’ case, but there is always a chance the parents might want a little outside help.”
“Except for one thing I just thought of,” Will whispered.
“What’s that?”
“Didn’t we see your sister Lisa down here with Lily a few weeks ago?”
She looked off over his shoulder. “You don’t think…”
Shrugging, Will said, “Hopefully, we’re the only people who know she saw Lily.”
“I told her mother,” Laura said, grimacing.
“You did?”
“It felt innocent at the time. Like, why would Lisa be on the beach with Lily Porter at midnight?”
“No one thinks it’s weird you and me are on the beach this late,” he replied, chuckling. “Why are we out here again?”
“I needed the exercise,” she said, embarrassed. “But we were here first. I hope the parents approach me.”
“Just gather as much evidence as you can and wait. That’s all you can do.”
“Is it even legal for me to be at the autopsy?”
“The results of the autopsy are public record,” Will answered. “If the police want any of it withheld, they’ll get a court order. Usually, the detectives handling a case will want to attend the autopsy, but not always.” He looked at Henry, eyebrows raised.
“You know Alan isn’t going to want to be at the post. Confidentially, though, since he’s down for a reprimand, he’ll be there.”
The landline rang ten times and then stopped. And then started again. Alan got up on his elbow and felt around for the phone.
“Stone,” he mumbled into the receiver.
“It’s Henry. The body of that missing baker washed up on the beach between Fourth and Fifth Streets beach access off Sea View. Peterson’s doing the post in an hour.”
Sliding his legs off the bed, Alan sat on the edge, his eyes wide open. Cortisol poured into his bloodstream, and he began to shake, his mouth filling with water as his gorge rose. There was no way in hell. He swallowed, trying to compose himself.
“Buddy, you’re on call. Handle it.”
“Chief said this is your case, Alan. Sorry.”
“I recuse myself. The victim was dating a friend.”
“Alan,you’vedated most of the single women in Babylon. If that’s a realistic excuse, you’ll never be in a position to investigate a case again.”
His nerves were shot, but Henry had a point. “Okay. Sorry, Henry. I’m on my way.”
He hung up the phone, his hand dangling between his knees, his eyes closed. This would be his second night without sleep. Yet another night of heart-pounding anxiety.
“Um, what was that all about?” the woman behind him in the bed mumbled.
