“That makes sense.” Kerry tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and the soap clung to the side of her face. Cute.
Hunter leaned forward, elbows on knees. “Dalton might know of a connection between the women. I want to speak with him.”
“I’d like to come with you when you do.”
“Why?” He couldn’t take any more chances one of his calls could turn deadly.
“I thought I could show him the X-rays of my other two Jane Does and see if he recognizes them.”
Her logic always cut through the best of his intentions. “You think he could look at an X-ray and identify the person?”
She hesitated. “I bet if we described each of the women’s injuries, he might remember them. Besides, these women have been dead for six months to a year. You would think he’d have wondered why they never showed up for a follow up appointment.”
“That would make sense if they’d had surgery right before their deaths. It’s possible Dalton could have treated them and not have planned to see them again once they healed.”
“True.”
Her pressed lips and slumped shoulders tugged at a vulnerable spot. “I’ll take the X-rays and show them to Dr. Dalton. You can write down all the information you know about these women and give him the rundown.” He smiled, hoping a little charm would convince her.
Kerry’s hands shot to her hips. “Why are you shutting me out?”
“Keep your voice down. Melissa’s down the hall.”
“Sorry. I still think I should be there,” she whispered. The moment she stepped toward him he feared he’d cave.
“I understand your passion for finding the identities of these women. I even admire you, but this is my case. I won’t put you in harm’s way for anything.” Please let her be reasonable.
“Harm’s way? You just said this guy was the angel of mercy. He had no connection to them other than to have treated them. Isn’t that what you implied?”
Big mouth. Maybe he was being overly cautious. “After I see him, I promise to tell you everything he said.”
Her jaw tightened as she ran her gaze over him. “You’d better.”
Melissa called Kerry’s name and her whole demeanor softened. “I have to go.”
After Hunter dropped Kerry off at work and his daughter at his sister’s house, Hunter headed to Dr. Dalton’s office. His secretary showed Hunter to an office in the back of a three-story, all glass office building. Nice digs. The floor looked like polished granite and the artwork was worthy of being in a museum. No wonder the guy could afford to do charity work.
When Hunter entered the plush office, Dr. Dalton stood to greet him. The doctor was tanned, about thirty-five to forty, small of stature and dressed in what looked like a tailor made suit. Handsome, almost to the point of being pretty.
“Please, Detective, have a seat.” The dark blue, leather, high-backed chair went well with the gray carpet and light gray walls. Hunter eased down. Man, he’d never experienced a more comfortable seat in his life.
Dalton sat behind his desk instead of in the seat next to Hunter. The doctor was obviously into proving his superior position. The many diplomas on the wall were enough to convince Hunter the doctor was as good as he’d heard.
“I’m here to discuss two of your former patients, Tameka Dorsey and Janet Kopetski.” Hunter concentrated on Dalton’s eyes. They never lied.
“Lovely ladies.” Dalton’s smile was engaging, and his teeth were so white and straight, they looked veneered. “But surely you know I can’t give out information about my patients. Doctor-patient privilege and all that.” Dalton chuckled and appeared relaxed, but his eyes twitched. What was he hiding?
Hunter was prepared for the runaround. “They’re no longer your patients. Both are dead.”
Dalton clasped a hand to his chest. His mouth gaped open. “My God. When, how?”
Hunter didn’t want to give too many details. “Their bodies were found in shallow graves not far from here. Perhaps you saw me and the forensic anthropologist who created the clay model on TV.”
“No, I didn’t, I’m sorry. I can’t tell you how upset I am to learn about their deaths. Tameka was engaged and so full of life. I believe Janet had had some trouble with her ex-husband but was trying to start her life over again.”
“Would you mind if your secretary showed me the dates of their last visit?”
He waved a hand. “By all means. I’ll let her know to give you the information on your way out.”
“Thank you.” Hunter didn’t move as Dalton stood.
“Anything else, Detective?” Dalton’s jaw clenched ever so slightly.
“Yes.” Hunter handed the doctor the X-rays Kerry had prepared for him. “We also found two other females at the gravesite. Both had had plastic surgery of some kind. One was a thirty-five to forty-five Caucasian with a broken ulna that had pins and plates. She also had had a broken nose that required surgery. The second female, of white European descent, had been dead approximately six months when we found her. She was a bit younger. Her right eye socket had been damaged, and then repaired. Do any of these women sound familiar?”
Dalton slapped the X-ray onto the light board. He stared at the images, cupping his chin with his hand. “This doesn’t look like my work. I’m sorry.” Dalton glanced at his gold watch. “I’m afraid I have several patients to attend to. So if there’s nothing else...” Dalton’s gaze bounced around the room as he dragged a hand down the front of his neatly pressed suit.
“Just in case something comes to you, I’ll leave these X-rays. We have duplicates at the M.E.’s office.”
“That’s fine.”
Hunter stood and shook Dalton’s hand. Hunter never understood why a man would polish his nails.
Kerry’s lab door squeaked open. “Here ya go, Dr. H.” Steven rolled a body bag on a gurney into the room.
“Who is it?”
“Jane Doe #4. Dr. A said to tell you he’d finished the autopsy and she’s all yours.”
“Tell him thanks.”
Kerry wasn’t excited about having to remove what was left of the decaying soft tissue from #4’s body to make an identification, but the process required it.
She dragged the large stainless steel pot from the maceration station, filled it with water from the sink, and then added a tablespoon of Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer to speed the cleaning process. She then dropped it back on the burner under the hood and set the temperature to one hundred eighty degrees.
Her back screamed from the exertion, and a layer of sweat covered her brow. She’d have to cut away the large pieces of flesh first before soaking them in soapy water.
Fully suited up in hairnet, facemask, and gown, Kerry zipped open the bag. The fetid smell of decomposed flesh hit her hard. She should be used to the odor, but each body smelled a little different. And #4 was particularly foul, although she should be happy the maggots weren’t grabbing a bite.
Once she extracted the female from the bag, she carefully cut away the flesh with a scalpel. The tedious job would take hours.
Less than fifteen minutes into the chore, the door banged open. “Dr. H. You gotta come.” Steven was out of breath.
“What’s wrong?” Her heart jetted into overdrive.
“The cops just fished a body out of Tampa Bay. She’s pretty badly decomposed. Dr. A called and said he needs you.”
She held up her gloved hands. Bits of flesh dangled from her fingers. “I’m kinda in the middle of working on this woman.”
“Sorry. She’ll have to wait.”
15
Once Kerry and Steven hit SR 60, they headed east, parallel to I-4. The crime scene area wasn’t hard to find. Police cars with flashing lights lined the road leading to the Bay.
A guard stopped them at the entrance. Once Steven showed his ID from the Medical Examiners’ office, the guard waved them through. Because the place was swarming with cops, she scanned the area looking for Hunter. Disappointment grabbed her when she realized he wasn’t there.
Kerry pointed to John’s van and Steven pulled in next to him. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll have Dr. A take me back.”