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Her gaze on her uncle, Dezi asked, “What was the cause of death?”
The medical examiner drew the sheet back down. “At first glance, one might have assumed he died from hitting his head on the corner of the counter in his kitchen where he was found dead.” Dr. Eddy pointed to a gash in Dezi’s uncle’s temple. “But it wasn’t that injury that killed him.”
“What was?” Dezi asked.
“Asphyxiation,” the medical examiner said. “Most likely, the fall knocked him out. Then someone finished him off by suffocating him while he was unconscious. He probably used a pillow over your uncle’s face. I didn’t find ligature marks around his neck to indicate strangulation, but I did find skin underneath his fingernails. He fought someone until he was knocked out. I sent a sample off to the state crime lab to see if they could find a DNA match in the criminal database.”
“So, you’re telling me my uncle didn’t die of natural causes.” Dezi lifted her chin, her back straightening. “He was murdered.”
Dr. Eddy nodded. “The police will receive my full report. They’ll take up the investigation from there.” He covered her uncle again and turned away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more work to do.”
“Thank you for your time, Dr. Eddy.” Grimm cupped Dezi’s elbow and escorted her out of the examination room, down the long hallway and stopped at the receptionist’s desk.
“Have you had a chance to determine the disposition of your uncle’s remains?” the woman asked gently.
“I’ve contacted a funeral home.” Dezi shook her head, her eyes glazed.” “But, frankly, I can’t think. It’s too much to take in. I’ll have to get back to you.”
The woman nodded. “No hurry.” She handed Dezi a business card. “When you’re ready, let us know.”
Grimm turned Dezi and guided her toward the exit.
As they neared the door, Dezi stopped. “Wait…the clue.”
Grimm frowned. “The clue?”
“The tattoo on the left arm of a loved one. We didn’t look for a tattoo on my uncle’s left arm.”
Together, Grimm and Dezi turned back to the receptionist.
“We have one more question for the doctor,” Grimm said. “Can we go back for a minute or two?”
The receptionist nodded.
Grimm and Dezi hurried back down the corridor and reentered the examination room.
The doctor was keying data into a computer. He looked up when they entered. “Did you have another question?”
Dezi nodded. “Do you mind if I look at my uncle’s left arm?”
The doctor’s brow knitted. “Why?”
Dezi grimaced. “I wanted to check something my uncle told me about.”
“I don’t see why not.” Dr. Eddy shrugged, crossed to the body on the table and lifted the sheet to expose Leon Thomas’ left arm.
Grimm moved closer with her and lifted the dead man’s arm. No matter which angle they examined it from, there were no tattoos on the man’s arm.
“There are no tattoos,” Dezi whispered.
The doctor nodded. “Your uncle didn’t have any. I would have noted them in my examination report along with any other scars I might have detected.”
Dezi gave the doctor a weak smile. “Sorry to have bothered you. Thank you for your time.”
Again, Grimm and Dezi left the examination room. This time, they passed the receptionist’s desk with a friendly wave and left the building.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Dezi glanced up at Grimm. “I don’t understand. My uncle talked about the left arm of a loved one and a tattoo. Uncle Leon was the last loved one I had on Earth.”
“Maybe he didn’t want to make the clues too easy,” Grimm said, “in case someone besides you read the letter.” He walked with her to his truck, opened the passenger door and held it while she climbed inside. “Where to next?” he asked.
