Page 16 of Silent Past

Finn appeared around the corner of the house, responding to Sheila's signal. She nodded for him to check the back entrance while she dealt with Martinez.

"I'm going to need to see some additional identification," Sheila said. "And documentation of your authority to be here."

Martinez's professional demeanor cracked slightly. "Sheriff, with all due respect, time is critical. If word of Tracy's death gets out before we secure her research..."

"It's a crime scene, Dr. Martinez. Nobody touches anything without my approval." Sheila stepped past her into the house. "Finn?"

"Back door's clear," he called from the kitchen. "One more person present, looks like support staff."

The house's interior was neat but lived-in. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a laptop sat open on the coffee table. A young man in khakis and a polo shirt was examining a filing cabinet, making notes on a tablet.

"Step away from the cabinet," Sheila ordered. "Both of you, sit down. Now."

Martinez and her assistant sat stiffly on the couch while Sheila examined their credentials. The documentation seemed legitimate—both had proper university IDs, and Martinez produced emails from the anthropology department authorizing her to secure Mitchell's research materials.

"Why the urgency?" Sheila asked, handing the papers back. "What exactly are you afraid might get out?"

Martinez exchanged a glance with her assistant before answering. "Tracy was working with several tribes, documenting oral histories that have never been recorded before. Stories that weren't meant for public consumption."

Sheila was about to ask a follow-up question, but just then her phone buzzed. Dr. Jin's number.

"Excuse me," she said, stepping into the kitchen. "Dr. Jin? What have you found?"

"You need to see this," the coroner said without preamble. "I've found something unusual in the initial examination. Something you'll want to see in person."

Sheila glanced toward the living room, where Finn was questioning Martinez about Mitchell's recent behavior. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."

She returned to find Martinez describing Mitchell's last department meeting. "She was excited about something she'd discovered, but also nervous. Said she needed to verify her findings before bringing them to the tribal council."

"These findings," Finn said, "did they have anything to do with the ice caves?"

Martinez's expression closed off. "I'm not at liberty to discuss specific site locations."

"Dr. Mitchell is dead," Sheila cut in. "Arranged in a ceremonial position in those same caves. Someone used her own research to stage her murder. So I suggest you reconsider what you're at liberty to discuss."

Martinez opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. She seemed to be thinking it over.

Sheila pulled Finn aside. "Keep them here," Sheila told him quietly. "I need to see Jin, but I want to know everything they know about Mitchell's research. Especially anything about those caves."

"What did Jin find?"

"He didn't say. Just that I should come alone." She studied Finn's face, saw his concern. "I'll be careful. And I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on."

The drive to the morgue gave Sheila time to think. Martinez's arrival was too convenient—either she was telling the truth about securing sensitive materials, or she was looking for something specific.

The county morgue occupied the basement level of the medical center. Dr. Jin waited for her in the autopsy suite, still in his protective gear.

"Initial findings are... unusual," he said, leading her to where Mitchell's body lay. The ceremonial garments had been carefully removed and photographed. "First, she was likely still alive when brought to the cave."

Sheila's eyes narrowed. "How can you be sure?"

"The rate of freezing, tissue samples—they all suggest she died in or very near the cave itself." Jin indicated the base of Mitchell's skull. "Cause of death was this—a single puncture wound, precise and deliberate, directly through the brain stem. This would have rendered her instantly unconscious. Death would follow within two minutes. She wouldn't have felt any pain."

"A humane killing." Sheila studied the wound. "Any idea what caused this?"

Jin pursed his lips together. "Maybe an improvised tool of some kind. It's difficult to say."

"A heavy-duty needle?"

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