Page 38 of Unnatural Death

She’s back on the radio, contacting the Manassas tower, and we’re cleared through their airspace. I unlock my phone, and it auto-syncs to the helicopter’s Bluetooth. I call my secretary. While we’re headed back to the office, she can give us an update.

“We’re on our way,” I say right off when Shannon answers.

“Hello, Doctor Scarpetta, I’m very glad to hear from you,” she says, and her Irish brogue is a comfort. “There’s a lot going on, as you might imagine.”

“Please check on Fabian and make sure the REMOTE is ready. The tarmac in front should have been cleared so we can land right there and get the bodies inside the trailer as quickly and discreetly as possible.”

“I don’t believe you’ll be able to keep much off camera no matter what,” Shannon tells me. “The media is parked along the road outside our building. I understand there’s a drone zooming about. And I can only imagine what it will be like if certain other details get out.”

“What details?” I have a sinking feeling.

“I suppose I shouldn’t ask.”

“About what?”

“If it’s true about Bigfoot,” Shannon says.

“What are you hearing?”

“Faye told me about a footprint found at the scene,” she replies, and I know what Marino has attempted.

Faye Hanaday is the top forensic examiner in the tool marks and firearms lab inside my building. I’m aware that he’s sent her images of the yellow-tipped bullet. Apparently, he’s shared more than that with her, the two of them buddies.

“Faye said Marino’s bringing in a plaster cast he made. That he wants her to meet him at the helicopter so he can give her the box,” Shannon explains. “Faye said to let her know when you’re a few minutes out so she can head to the parking lot.”

“Nice try, Marino.” Lucy speaks up.

“Shit,” he replies from the back cabin. “Faye wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“Oh, she hasn’t to anyone else. You needn’t worry about that,” Shannon answers in our headsets. “Faye’s told only me. She assumed you knew what was going on, Doctor Scarpetta.”

“Not about that.”

“She figured Marino had told you what he’s doing.” What she’s really saying is that he should have.

“Hadn’t had the chance,” he says, and that’s baloney.

“I see. Oh dear, I hope I’ve not caused a kerfuffle,” Shannon says, and I know her chess moves.

“I just wanted Faye to take a look,” Marino explains. “I don’t see any harm in it.”

“Except it’s not our evidence,” I reply.

He’s attempting an end run around the Secret Service, worried that the cast might disappear inside their labs forever. He’s been saved from himself by my secretary. Sounding as innocent as the day is long, Shannon knows exactly what she’s doing.

“You’re well aware that the cast and other relevant evidence are our jurisdiction, Marino.” Lucy sounds scary stern, but the expression on her face is amused.

“You don’t need to tell me about jurisdiction as if I just fell off the potato truck.”

“I don’t know what truck you fell off of,” she says. “But I’ve got no problem with having your labs taking a first look. Footwear, tire tracks, tool marks usually aren’t our focus. And Faye Hanaday is one of the best. I won’t argue with that.”

“Absolutely, and she’s nice to boot,” Shannon says.

“What else should we know before we get there?” I ask her.

“The state police are here, which is a good thing. Otherwise it would be poor Wyatt holding down the fort by himself.”

“Wyatt’s still there? I thought Tina Downs was taking over at noon.”

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