Page 31 of Unnatural Death

“From the air, all you could see was the female’s body in the lake, the belongings strewn everywhere, the tent flattened,” Tron says.

“What did you think might have happened to the husband?” I ask. “You knew from having them under surveillance that Huck and Brittany were out here together.”

“We assumed he was dead.” Tron steps over a rotting log. “If so, he was in the water somewhere, we decided at first. We searched the lake and along the shore from the air, not seeing any sign of him. But we also didn’t know for a fact that he wasn’t involved in Brittany’s death. That maybe it was Huck we were hearing on the footpath on his way in and out.”

“It’s certainly a consideration that he might have staged something like that to get away while getting rid of her,” I reply. “Meanwhile, we continue looking for his body, not realizing he’s fled the country.”

“Their rosy relationship was bullshit like everything else about them,” Tron says. “They’d screwed around on each other before, almost getting divorced a few years ago. We didn’t know everything going on with them. I’ve even entertained the possibility that the bodies aren’t the Mansons. That they faked all this so they could flee, and while we’re out here in the woods, they’re on a private jet headed to Moscow or Dubai.”

“Is that what you seriously think?” I ask. “Because we’ll know soon enough about the identities.”

“Look, just us talking? I’ve got no doubt it’s the Mansons. I really don’t see who else it might be,” she says. “But we’re also not dealing with the usual offender. I think that’s pretty obvious already. I have a feeling you’re sensing that there’s a lot going on we can’t be open about.”

“Why would a bullet have a yellow-painted tip? I’m familiar with color coding like black, red, purple. But not yellow. And not painted.”

“It’s not something I’ve seen before now. Not for armor-piercing,” she says. “Usually when someone refers to a yellow tip, what they mean is the observation bullets that flash and create a lot of smoke on impact. Similar to tracer bullets and used in training. That’s not what I dug out of the tree.”

“I’m wondering if that’s what the assailant was shooting. Possible he showed up with a firearm?”

“I know I would have,” Tron says.

We round a bend in the path, colorful leaves drifting down through motes of light shining through canopies. I detect the sharp scent of pine mingled with the pungency of decaying vegetation. Mosquitoes whine around us like kamikaze bombers.

“When Marino got here, you escorted him inside the mine as I understand it,” I then say. “When did he find the footprint?”

“Within minutes. No one else had noticed it yet.”

“Where were you when he discovered it?”

“I was just inside the entrance, scanning with a metal detector. The other agents were outside doing other things.”

“Let’s just put our cards on the table, Tron,” I say to her bluntly. “Do you have any reason to think Marino planted the footprint?”

“No way.”

“Or that anybody else here might have done something like that?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Because you must know that the accusations will fly fast and furiously if and when the word is out. There will be suspicions about Marino being responsible.”

“Believe me, I know. Some of the other agents are already wondering it, to be honest.”

“Why did he decide to make the cast himself? Did he say he was going to do it? Or did it simply happen?” I ask. “Technically, he was out of bounds. It’s not up to us to collect that type of evidence.”

“Bottom line?” Tron says. “Marino had plaster of Paris in one of your crime scene cases. We didn’t bring anything that could be used for casting, and it’s not something we typically handle. He seemed to know what he was doing.”

“He does know what he’s doing and wouldn’t mean to cause a stink. But I’m worried,” I reply.

“I’m afraid the stink has already started.” The way she says it is ominous. “I don’t want to distract you, Doctor Scarpetta.”

“It’s a little late for that. Sounds like you have an update. May as well tell me.”

“As it’s turning out, the governor isn’t the only one who’s gotten an anonymous voice mail allegedly from The Republic, claiming two traitors are dead,” Tron says. “Also, several TV stations and newspapers, including CNN and theWashington Post. And of course, Dana Diletti is having a field day talking about herdogfight with the chief medical examiner’s military-looking helicopter.”

“People must think I have a very generous budget,” I reply.

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