Page 1 of Hidden Hero

1

SIX MONTHS AGO

Jeremy Pickett stepped cautiously into the dilapidated trailer, disgust causing his nose to wrinkle from the smell of trash, moldy food, the stench of urine, and the layer of grime that covered almost every surface. His partner, Pete Bolton, stood in the doorway, his expression similar as he clamped his hand over his mouth and nose. Looking over his shoulder, Jeremy chuckled. “Yeah, it’s enough to really turn your stomach, isn’t it?”

“Jesus, how can anybody live like this?” Pete asked.

Jeremy didn’t answer the rhetorical question. He and his partner knew exactly how someone could live like that. When an addiction took over so that the next hit of heroin was all someone could think about, their living conditions no longer mattered. He’d learned that during his earlier years working with the state police.

The pair of detectives made a formidable sight. Both were big men, fit and muscular. Protective body armor covered their chests, and their duty belts held their firearms, radios, tasers, flashlights, sprays, and handcuffs.

As detectives with the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, which served the two Virginia counties, the two were called in due to the amount of drugs the initial investigating deputies found inside the home after a neighbor called.

The silence of the room was shattered by the sharp, clipped voice coming from behind Pete. “What are you doing in here without shoe protectors?”

Jeremy turned, scanning for the source, but couldn’t see anyone at first. Pete jerked slightly and stepped aside, revealing a petite figure clad head to toe in personal protective equipment.

Her entire form was enveloped in white coveralls zipped snugly to her chin, a hood tied around her head, and a PPE mask obscuring the lower half of her face. The only visible features were her large, striking brown eyes behind dark-framed glasses, giving her a stern, owlish appearance.

“Are you from the medical examiner’s office?” Jeremy asked. He didn’t recognize her and was unaccustomed to being greeted with such an attitude.

“Yes,” she replied curtly, her voice muffled slightly by the mask. “I was told the body was found inside.”

“That’s what the deputy said. We just got here.”

“Then you should know to follow procedure. Anything you do inside could contaminate the evidence.”

Jeremy and Pete prided themselves on following protocol, and the clipped manner of speaking from the ME technician irritated him. He snorted and shook his head. “We’re used to working with Dr. Ameen. We haven’t done anything except step inside, and I’m sure when Dr. Ameen gets here, it’ll be fine.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Then you know, this is my crime scene now. Once I’m finished, I’ll give you full rein to look around.”

“Look, lady, I don’t know who?—”

“That would beDr. Wadsworthto you.”

He blinked, taken aback by the interruption. “Doctor? I didn’t realize Dr. Ameen now had other medical doctors on his team.”

“I replaced Dr. Ameen. I’m the new medical examiner. And you are?”

He pulled his badge off his belt and held it toward her. “Detective Jeremy Pickett. This is my partner, Detective Peter Bolton.”

“Well, Detectives Pickett and Bolton, this is now my crime scene. Once I’ve declared the occupant deceased, I’ll start collecting the pertinent evidence with my team. When you slip on the foot protectors and gloves, it will be fine to look around as long as you don’t hinder my investigation.”

Without waiting for a response, she brushed past Pete and strode toward the small room at the back of the trailer, her movements brisk and efficient.

Jeremy stared at her retreating form, but she didn’t spare him another glance. Pete coughed, unsuccessfully hiding a chuckle behind his hand. Jeremy turned his narrow-eyed gaze on his partner, who shrugged innocently.

The two detectives left the trailer, stepping to the side as another full PPE-covered team member from the medical examiner’s office approached. Jeremy recognized Carl and offered a chin lift. After a few minutes, Carl came to the door and called for the EMTs to bring the gurney and body bag.

“Man, you must have pissed off the gods of bosses to get her.” Jeremy laughed.

Carl shook his head. “No, no… she’s nice. You know, efficient and really knows what she’s doing.”

“Being efficient and being nice are two different things,” Jeremy continued, the amusement clear in his tone.

“I’m telling you,” Carl retorted, shaking his head. “She’s good.”

“Well, then it seems like you got a dragon lady for a boss,” Jeremy shot back with a grin. Instead of eliciting the chuckle he expected, Carl’s eyes widened as a slight throat clearing was heard directly behind him. Carl shifted slightly to the side, exposing that Dr. Wadsworth had approached again.

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