Page 44 of Dead Air
"Standard protocol. Initial assessment matches his service weapon."
"Where's the body?"
"Bedroom. ME finishing the examination."
Lawson followed Parks through the apartment. Immaculate organization everywhere. Books alphabetized. Clothing arranged by color. Shoes in perfect pairs beneath hanging garments. It all felt at odds with how he'd chosen to die.
The medical examiner knelt beside the body sprawled across an unmade bed. Hutchinson wore boxers and a T-shirt. Blood soaked the pillow beneath his head. The entry wound created a small, neat hole at his right temple. The exit wound left a larger cavity on the opposite side.
"Detective Lawson." The ME nodded without looking up. "Interesting case."
"Suicide looks straightforward." Parks crossed his arms. "Except for inconsistencies."
"Such as?" Lawson asked.
The ME gestured toward Hutchinsons' arms. "Defensive wounds on forearms and hands. Bruising pattern indicates he shielded himself from attack. Occurred prior to death."
Lawson leaned closer. Purple bruises marked Hutchinson's forearms. Knuckles showed abrasions consistent with throwing punches.
"He fought someone before dying."
"Four to six hours before, based on bruise development." The ME stood. "Tox screen pending, but pupil dilation suggests potential sedative in his system."
"Someone subdued him." Lawson glanced at Parks. "Staged the suicide."
"Initial assessment supports that theory." The ME packed instruments into a black bag. "Gunshot residue pattern inconsistent with self-infliction. Angle suggests the shooter stood beside rather than in front of the victim."
"Murder disguised as suicide." Parks closed his notebook. "Complete with confession note."
"Handwriting analysis?" Lawson asked.
"Lab comparing it to known samples. Preliminary assessment suggests forgery." Parks checked his watch. "Body moves downstairs in ten minutes. Anything else you need to see?"
Lawson surveyed the bedroom again. Wallet and keys on the nightstand. Clothing draped over a chair. Nothing obviously disturbed or missing. "Security cameras in the building?"
"Lobby. Elevators. Parking garage." Parks nodded. "Footage already pulled. Tech is reviewing it now."
They returned to the living room, where crime scene technicians photographed blood spatter patterns. Hutchinson had died in the bedroom, but evidence suggested violence throughout the apartment. Overturned lamp. Scuff marks on hardwood.
"Timeline?" Lawson asked.
"Last seen leaving the precinct at eight last night." Parks consulted his notes. "No activity on his phone or credit cards after nine. Neighbor reported hearing a thump around midnight but attributed it to the upstairs tenant."
"The confession conveniently wraps up Monica's case." Lawson studied the note again through its plastic covering. "Too convenient."
"My assessment exactly." Parks tucked his notebook into his jacket pocket. "Especially twenty-four hours after Blackwell's podcast connected him to Monica."
Lawson turned toward him. "You listened to it?"
"Required monitoring as IA liaison." Parks maintained a neutral expression. "Recordings sent directly to my office for review."
The door opened as four morgue attendants entered with a gurney. The ME directed them toward the bedroom. Crime scene photographers completed final documentation before the body removal process began.
Parks led Lawson into the hallway. Fewer officers remained, the initial surge of activity tapering to methodical processing. The neighbors had retreated to their apartments, leaving the corridor empty except for a uniformed officer guarding the doorway.
"Someone wanted Hutchinson silenced." Lawson kept her voice low. "The suicide narrative provides closure to Monica's case without further investigation."
"Convenient for several parties." Parks maintained a professional distance. "Including Thomas Hutchinson. Family embarrassment contained. Firm reputation preserved."
