Page 18 of Inside Silence
I look up from my computer screen, displaying the digital autopsy photos I’d been studying, to find Trooper Auden Maynard standing in my doorway.
A Silence native, like myself, I’ve known Auden most of my life. We went to school together, hung out in the same crowd, and he was the one who introduced me to Matt when I came home from college.
“Thanks, pal.” I scowl at his amused expression. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to assist in whatever way I can.” He pushes away from the doorpost and takes a precarious seat on the rickety visitor chair. “And before you start objecting,” he quickly adds when I open my mouth to do exactly that. “The captain himself sent me here, so put me to work.”
I grind my teeth. This is my father’s doing, I know it is. He knows Auden’s boss and put a bug in his ear, I’m sure. It’s my own fault for conferring with him about the case and needing to let Sanchuk go. It’s tempting to refuse the offer of assistance, but I’m even more understaffed now than I was before. I’ve been leaning on Hugo heavily and he already has his hands full running the department while I spend all my time on this case.
I’m going to have to suck it up.
Auden is a state trooper, he’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’s not going to give me any sexist bullshit for having to answer to a woman in charge. I’d be a fool not to swallow my pride and grab all the help I can get.
“What do you know about the case?”
“Mutilated body found floating in Watts Lake by a fisherman. Victim was renting one of the Sterling’s cabins. Medical Examiner concludes murder,” he rattles off.
That’s a good enough start. I can get Brenda to make a copy of the case file for him. He’ll have to read that tonight because I have a job for him now.
“Right. The ME’s report suggests the victim was surprised from behind and hit with a blunt object, leaving a substantial wound to the back of his head, likely incapacitating him. The man was taking a hike around the lake when?—”
“You want me to look for the primary site,” Auden jumps in, guessing correctly.
“Yes. My guys checked the immediate vicinity of the bridge and didn’t turn up anything, but it turns out he was still alive when he was placed in the water. Not only that, but Richter discovered some splinters under the man’s fingernails, and he was found tangled up with a large branch under the bridge.”
“You think he got those trying to hang on?” He winces. “Jesus.”
That detail has been burning in my gut since Tom Richter shared it. Clearly Auden gets the picture too.
“Yeah, he could’ve been attacked and dumped in the water anywhere along the shoreline. Other than my own two feet, I don’t have anyone else I can spare right now, but I need to find the scene of the actual attack before the rain hits later this week, so I can give your forensics guys something to work with.”
The forecast is for a large system moving through this area the second half of the week, as cold air from the north pushes its way south. It’ll be a welcome change from the unseasonable, almost oppressive temperatures of the past few days, but it’s going to wash away any possible evidence left behind.
“So let’s go,” Auden urges, getting to his feet with an energy I can’t match.
The loop around the lake is about five-and-a-half miles over pretty rugged terrain in places. I know, I’ve hiked it before, but that was under much different circumstances. Today, I’m looking for the scene of a violent crime, one I’m responsible for solving. It’s the hottest part of the day, and I’m already exhausted. This is not an excursion I’m looking forward to.
Still, I push myself out of my chair and grab my ball cap and my radio.
“Yeah, let’s.”
Nate
* * *
“The drywall is up, but I have to run out to Spokane to pick up some more tape and compound. I should probably get ceiling white while I’m at it.”
I’m thinking I have a day or so of mudding, then sanding, and hopefully I’ll be done by the end of Thursday. This was a small job, much smaller than I’m used to, but it was a good way to get my foot in the door here. I even have something lined up for next week. Nothing major, just a bathroom makeover for Brenda, which won’t take me that long, but it’s a start and one job will lead to the next. Hopefully.
Small steps.
I’m not hurting financially, but I need to keep my hands busy and I want to be able to do things for my daughter. Also, I have a reputation to fix if I’m going to make Silence our home. If not for me, for Tatum’s sake.
I have something to prove here, maybe even to myself.
“Ginny at Nuts & Bolts can probably help you with that,” Brenda suggests.
“What happened to Will?”
