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A look passed between him and the coroner, a language well-practiced. “All I can tell you is that he was found in the forest just outside of town.”
“Was there anything unusual about the scene when he was found? What about the investigation?”
Sheriff Malis rolled his thick shoulders back, his chest pushing out as he considered Teddi’s question. “There is no investigation into his death because your cousin killed himself with a drug overdose.”
The room stilled. The words fell into Vera’s mind like sinking rocks.
Suicide. Alex took his own life. Alex was doing drugs.
Cold horror filled her as Ximena wailed.
“Why do you think that?” Teddi asked.
“The manner of death was consistent with suicide.”
“How so? His eyes are missing and there are lacerations around his mouth.” Vera waved her hand at him, unable to look too closely. “He’s clearly been assaulted and yet you’re telling me you think he killed himself? Did your department even look into the possibility that foul play occurred in the middle of the woods?” Sheriff Malis’ frowned, clearly done with the interrogation of his investigation capabilities.
“Ladies, I understand that you’re upset but our department did its duty when we were informed about his body. The facial wounds were sustained by wild animals since he was found outdoors and had been there for a time. It’s soft tissue, it happens frequently. Now that you have positively identified him, we can move along with transporting him back to Fort Collins.” He jutted his chin out at Ximena, who had gone white as a ghost. She was slowly reaching toward Alex’s hand sticking out from beneath the sheet.
“What do you mean you were informed? By who? Who found him?”
“A transient.” He gritted the word out.
“Who?”
“Just a girl.”
“What girl? Is there any indication she could be involved?”
“I highly doubt it since it was a suicide.”
“Is she still here?” She forced the words out between her teeth.
He sighed. “Yes, she’s in holding for underaged possession.”
“Can I speak to her?”
“That’s out of the question. Even for an FBI agent. You’re here unofficially, remember?” She saw red.
“Will you be holding her for a few days then?” She could find a reason, work out some way to get in to speak to the only witness they had.
His dark eyes narrowed, their lack of color like pools of night. “For a few days. Now, let’s get you girls home. There’s lots to plan now and we’ve got to file the paperwork as well.”
Coroner Canimar stood back, letting him take over.
“Are you going to bring a pathologist in to examine his body?” A vein beside Sheriff Mali’s eye bulged.
“There’s no need for that, I can see you don’t want to believe it but your cousin took his own life. We’re well equipped to determine that.”
“I want an autopsy done before he’s moved anywhere. He was found in your jurisdiction, I want you to do your job. Are you a forensic pathologist?” Her gaze fell upon Coroner Canimar as his lips pinched tight. His silence was her answer. “Then order one. Now."
“That’s not how things are done here. This isn’t the big city, we take care of our own problems.” Sheriff Mali cut in. Vera bit her tongue to quell her retort, knowing they were over their heads. The set of Sheriff Malis’ mouth told her a snowball had a better chance of surviving hell than she did at getting a proper autopsy.
“Vera,” Teddi warned her softly, grabbing her forearm at Ximena’s back. “It’s alright.” Vera held onto her gaze, anchoring herself to something that made sense inside the four walls. She found pain in Teddi’s face but also reassurance. It wasn’t ok but it also wasn’t over. They wouldn’t get what they wanted right now but the look she gave said she wasn’t giving up.
“Can we have a few moments to say goodbye?” Sheriff Malis gave her a long look before he exited the door they came in through, followed by Canimar.
Vera approached the table, still holding Ximena tightly. Her sister’s tawny hand settled upon his discolored shoulder. The contrast hit her like a punch to the gut.
