“Any other distinguishing marks or scars?”
“I didn’t see any. We took thorough photos of everything before I started today. X-rays too.”
“What about her dental charting?” he asked.
“You’ll have her dental films and charting in my report. But I will say she’s had good dental care. Straight teeth with only a few composite fillings. A perfect smile.”
With the victim’s face so disfigured, Evan struggled to imagine a perfect smile. He could see some of her teeth because her mouth hung open. But even his imagination couldn’t see a young woman with a warm smile.
“Thanks for your help, Doctor,” Evan said. “I’ll keep you updated.”
She met his gaze. “Like we discussed . . . this is similar to your other two cases.”
“I know.”
“Does the public need to be notified?” she asked softly.
Evan understood what she hadn’t said: the ME was concerned a serial killer was in the area. “I’ve been weighing that,” he told her. “But there’s been no physical evidence to connect the three young women.”
“Yet.”
Evan nodded. “Yet.”
Dr. Lockhart held his gaze for another long second and then turned her attention back to the victim. “Keep me updated,” she said, repeating Evan’s phrase.
He felt as if he’d been judged and found guilty.
Am I not being proactive?
Evan didn’t want to jump to conclusions. He would continue to study all three cases from every angle. If there was a serial killer preying on young women, the public deserved to know. But he wasn’t sure yet. And he didn’t want to raise a false alarm.
“Have a good day, Natasha.”
“You too, Evan.”
He turned and walked to the door, where he stripped off his personal protective wear and tossed it in the bin. A minute later he was outside, pulling his sweatshirt over his head. The temperature had gone up at least ten degrees, and the welcome sun baked his head.
Is there a serial killer?
16
“This is an investigation—my investigation—and you have no business here,” the doctor snapped, her dark eyes glaring lasers at Rowan.
Rowan stood her ground at the forensic anthropologist’s order. “I know. And I do have business here. I found the victim yesterday, which led to the additional discovery of these bones.” She gestured at the taped-off scene under the pines.
It was hot out. Much warmer than the day before. Six people were working in the area where the bones had been discovered. There were two deputies, a photographer, two techs working in the dirt, and the forensic anthropologist. They’d taped off a very large area to search because it was assumed bones had been scattered by wildlife. A grid of string and small stakes covered the immediate area of the remains they’d found the previous day.
Rowan had just arrived, unable to focus at home knowing a forensic anthropologist would look at the small skull that day.
I have to know.
And the person who could tell her stood right in front of her. Dr. Victoria Peres. Rowan couldn’t wait for an official report including the sex of the skull.
The tall woman wasn’t swayed by Rowan’s answer. “Get lost. Or I’ll have one of the deputies escort you out.”
“I wasn’t done speaking,” Rowan said. “I do search and rescue full time. I know how this works. But . . .” She swallowed hard, holding the doctor’s gaze. “My brother vanished in these woods more than two decades ago. I need to know if that smaller skull is male.”
Surprise flashed in the doctor’s eyes, and her face softened.
“My name is Rowan Wolff. I work with a lot of law enforcement.” She raised a hand at the two deputies who were watching the conversation with interest. Both returned the gesture. Rowan racked her memory to come up with their names. “Nate and Chris will vouch that I’m not nuts.”
Dr. Peres folded her arms across her chest and looked down at Thor, who sat close to Rowan’s feet. “Is this Thor?”
Now it was Rowan’s turn to look surprised. “Yes.”
“I’ve heard of the two of you,” admitted Dr. Peres. “Strange our paths haven’t crossed.”
“I’ve seen you in the field,” said Rowan. “But we’ve not had an occasion to speak.”
Dr. Peres held Rowan’s gaze for a few long seconds, and Rowan struggled to not look away. The doctor had a posture of absolute authority, and her brown eyes scrutinized Rowan from head to toe. “I’m very sorry about your brother.”
“Thank you,” said Rowan. “It was a long time ago, but not knowing what happened is agonizing.”
“I understand,” said Dr. Peres. “I’ve dedicated my life to finding answers and bringing closure to people like you.”
“That’s my job too.”
An affinity for the dark-haired woman sprang up in Rowan’s chest, and she thought the doctor also felt it.
“I haven’t examined the skulls yet. You can watch, but stay outside the tape.” The doctor turned and started back to the site. Slightly shocked, Rowan followed. “And be careful where you step. More remains can turn up outside the tape.”
Rowan fought back the “Yes, ma’am,” that formed on her tongue. Dr. Peres pointed out a place for Rowan to stand next to one of the deputies and then entered the scene, walking a narrow, taped-off path that led to the remains. Use of the entry and path was strictly enforced to keep people from wandering through the scene.
“You friends now?” the deputy asked Rowan with a grin.
“I don’t think friends is the right word, Nate,” Rowan said in a whisper, hoping that Dr. Peres didn’t have bionic hearing.
“You’re still standing. That means the Ice Queen likes you,” said Nate, a serious look on his face.
Rowan felt as if she’d won a lottery. She had been aware of the forensic anthropologist’s tough reputation but hadn’t known Dr. Peres was working the scene until she arrived. “She’s doing her job,” she told Nate, annoyed at his “Ice Queen” comment. “And she’s good at it.”
He looked past her, suddenly on alert. “More company.” Nate squinted. “Detective Bolton and . . . Detective Marshall. Didn’t know she was on this case.”
Pleased that Evan had arrived, Rowan turned to see the pair approach. Thor stood, his tail going full speed and his ears trained toward the detectives. She studied the tall blonde woman next to Evan. Rowan had heard of Detective Marshall but never met her. “What’s her first name?” she asked Nate.
“Noelle.”
Statuesque was the adjective that popped into Rowan’s head. The woman moved with confidence and power. Defined muscles moved in her thighs, and her chin was high, her eyes alert.
Rowan watched Evan laugh at something Noelle said and felt the smallest seed of jealousy sprout in her chest. “What the fuck,” she muttered, annoyed at the emotion.
“What?” asked Nate.
“Nothing.”
Rowan glanced over her shoulder. Dr. Peres was also watching the detectives approach.
“Rowan! I didn’t expect you up here,” said Evan. His eyes looked happy to see her, promptly eliminating her seed of jealousy. “But I’m not surprised. Do you know Detective Noelle Marshall?”
“I don’t.” Rowan shook the woman’s hand, admiring her direct dark-blue eyes.
“Rowan is the SAR member I told you about,” said Evan.
He told her about me?
“And this is Thor.” Evan squatted to greet the dog and received a lick on the cheek.
“Nice to meet you, Rowan. And Thor is gorgeous.” Noelle admired the dog.
Rowan liked her even more. No better way to her dog handler’s heart than showing sincere admiration for her dog.
Evan stood and turned his attention to the scene. Dr. Peres gestured for him to come in. “Stay on the path,” she told the detectives.
Rowan watched them enter, envious that they were getting up close. But she and Nate stood only twenty feet from where the work was happening, and they could hear pieces of the conversation.
Rowan frowned as Evan said something in a low voice to the doctor that she couldn’t make out. The doctor’s response was also quiet.