The Serpent and the Crow

Book 1: Chapter Five

Douglas and Wade strolled past the swing set on the front lawn. Children rode on their bicycles, heading home to make curfew. Douglas knocked. He could tell they were wealthy. Few people in Solemn Pines had solid gold door knockers. A young woman answered the door, holding a newborn in her arms.

Douglas asked, "Heather Harding?"

"Oh, no. What are you doing here?"

"Can we please come inside, Mrs Harding?"

Heather shook her head as her husband popped up behind her. He looked like he worked construction but judging from the clean clothes he wore; he wasn't a labourer but more a supervisor, quantity surveyor, or engineer.

"Mr Harding, Detective Douglas Nez. This is my partner, Wade Derringer. Can we please come inside?"

Douglas saw Wade was sweating and loosening his tie.

"Why are you here, officers?" William asked.

Douglas took a deep breath, "I think it would be better..."

"...it would be better if you leave, please," Heather said.

William comforted his wife and said. "Now, Honey. Don't go jumping the gun yet. These guys might be here..."

Wade said, "We found Katie."

"What do you mean? Is she alive?" Asked William.

Wade turned to leave and told Douglas, "I can't do this."

Douglas put his hands up to calm the situation down. The Hardings began pacing. Agitated.

William shouted, "Hey, I'm asking you a question." He turned to Douglas, "What does that mean?"

Douglas said, "I'm sorry, your daughter is at the coroner's office."

Heather Harding stepped back into the wall and slid down, gripping her baby. Her screams seem to carry on the wind. The baby wailed too.

Neighbourhood kids stopped on their bikes just outside the picket fence as they watched Heather's grief unfold.

Wade lit a cigarette and saw Douglas console Heather, but William wanted none of his sympathies. Wade saw the swing set and thought that it would never swing again, at least not by Katie Harding.

Wade knew that the most challenging aspect in their line of work was informing the parents. Their reaction was always unpredictable. He had seen many parents react as they did. Distraught. Confused. Angry. Wade understood that reaction.

Protocol dictated that Doug had to inform the parents of the death. Provide options for counselling. Detail the body's process; the police would hold it in custody for the duration of the investigation. Inform them of what undertaker services were available. You had to say it all in one breath because often you had to react to grief.

Douglas returned and slammed the car door.

"I'm sorry. The Hardings needed to know."

Douglas punched Wade in the nose. Wade's skull bounced off the passenger door window, creating a spider web pattern.

Douglas said. "What the fuck was all that about?"

The police radio announced, "... Nez and Derringer, come in. Over."

Douglas' eyes burned holes into Derringer. The pair of them panted as blood trickled down to Derringer's lip as he held his nose.

Douglas snatched up the horn and responded. "10-7, over."

The police radio responded, "You have a required 4-B at the County Coroner's Office. Over."

"What about it? Over."

"The County Coroner says you need to get down there ASAP. The body is giggling, her words. Over."

Douglas and Wade shared a look of confusion.

"10-2. Over and out."

Douglas turned the keys, and the engine roared.