Happy Accidents

Chapter 22: Back To The Grind

Today was finally the day. She'd been given the okay to go back to work at somewhat reduced hours (although she'd still been covering light paperwork and doing consultations over x-rays and video for the temp that had been covering during her absence). It was probably strange for the average person to look forward to looking at dead bodies all day, but Sakura had to admit that she was looking forward to it--even if it did mean that someone was likely murdered in the process.

Her first day back was planned to be an easy day. Just some paperwork to go through, followed by finishing up a few of the cases she'd been consulting on, and finally... discussing whether the exhumation orders were wanted or not. She and Sasuke had had a lengthy discussion about what they would do: it had been decided that upon being granted the order by the judge, they would make the decision to talk to the families and ask them if exhumation, in order to find COD, would be an acceptable course of action for them. It would at least give them the chance to consider having closure if the cases truly were related.

They had three meetings lined up today. The first two went without any issue: they both agreed to have the exhumations done and the remains of their loved one re-examined if only to find closure (or perhaps new information if the cases weren't related). Their third family was likely to prove a lot more difficult than the first two. Even during the initial process, they'd been difficult to speak to; grief had taken over them very quickly, almost crippling them in the process.

"Ready?" Sasuke asked as they approached the front door of the home. Sakura took a deep breath to steel herself, ready to be practically bombarded by the family with questions and demands as to why. She just had a certain feeling about this meeting that wasn't sitting right with her.

The door opened, and the woman's face was half a scowl. "Can I help you?" She asked brusquely, almost as if she knew why they were there.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm Detective Uchiha from the Konoha Police Department. This is my partner, Dr. Sakura Haruno. Would you mind if we came in for a few moments?" Sasuke was polite as ever; Sakura was certain he was silently praying the woman would let them in. She seemed hesitant at first, contemplating before eventually giving up and holding the door open for them, earning a soft thanks from both as they came in. She led them to the living room, choosing to at least be hospitable.

"Would you like anything to drink? Coffee, tea, water, anything?" She asked politely.

"Coffee would be nice, thank you," the detective answered.

"Just water for me is fine," Sakura responded as well. The woman was gone for a few moments before bringing a tray with coffee and a glass of water for Sakura. She glanced at Sasuke, hoping he might be the one to start the conversation rather than her. She would provide more details if necessary, but this was more his area of expertise than it was hers.

"Ma'am, we're here regarding the case file on your daughter, Uzumaki Miko," he began, doing his best to maintain eye contact and remain formal. "In the process of investigating another case, we believe it's possible that the case surrounding Miko's death may be related." The woman seemed to become tense, shaking her head and closing her eyes as a soft sigh escaped her lips.

"We put in a petition for an exhumation order a few weeks ago, and it was granted by a judge. However, in the course of our investigation, the person responsible for the death in the case we were investigating was killed as he... attacked a witness that had survived his latest attack," Sakura explained. It felt strange, referring to herself in the third person; it almost felt detached in a way.

"So you want my permission to dig up my daughter's grave and bring this whole thing back for what, exactly?" The woman demanded, looking upset. "Can't you just let her rest? She's dead, and you can't leave her alone?"