The Serpent and the Crow

Book 1: Chapter Six

Douglas barged through the doors that lead to the long passageway. Wade followed at a slower pace, nursing his broken nose.

County Sheriff Martinez was at the end of that foyer. Still looking like a silent Golem. He could look bored, angry, excited, or annoyed with the one look he had.

Douglas was expecting to see the Coroner but not the Sheriff. What the hell was he doing here? It was odd. Douglas thought maybe Director Flavell and Chief Hank Kelly wanted some seniority down here. Perhaps the Governor's pressure to see swift justice for the Harding Family that had given so much to Solemn Pines' folk, perhaps that warranted Sheriff Martinez' presence.

"Detective Nez, I presume? My name is Merrin Lindsey. I'm the new County Coroner for Solemn Pines County, okey-dokey?"

She was odd, like not the usual coroner type you get from Flagstaff or Phoenix. Lindsey was smiling like she enjoyed her job. Ripping corpses open and telling cops how they died. She was like a sarcastic librarian that would stupefy customers with her witty remarks. It made Douglas think. What on earth could give this lady the heebeegeebees?

She pointed to Sheriff Martinez and said, "I guess you know who this fella is, ya?"

The Sheriff made no acknowledgement. He just stared at Douglas. Typical.

"The Sheriff is here to observe the autopsy and report the findings here at the Morgue. Righto?" Lindsey said. It seemed every sentence ended as if she was asking a question.

The elevator beeped, so loud that it echoed down the long corridor. Lindsey said, "Follow me, yeah?"

Derringer held a handkerchief to his bloody nose. He said. "So, why are we here, Lindsey?"

"You'll just have to see. I've encountered nothing like it, right?"

"What do you mean?" grumbled Wade.

"Well, pretty. That's the question."

"What question?"

"You asked, 'What do I mean?', and I'm telling you I don't know, that's why you're here."

Douglas smirked, "Good questions, Wade. Did you get your detective's badge out of a cereal box?"

Wade retorted, "Go fuck yourself, Elliot Nez. I'm just asking why this couldn't wait until tomorrow."

The elevator doors opened, and the lights flickered.

Lindsey said, "Whoopsie, these lights are trash. Elmer still hasn't fixed 'em,"

She turned to Wade, "He's ah... you know?" She winked at Wade. Made facial gestures to Douglas.

Douglas said, "An Injun?"

Lindsey exclaimed, "Hello! Hey, your words, Chief. I was going to say... a retard."

"I'm not retarded."

"There's a good boy. Just like Elmer," Lindsey winks, "Of course you're not retarded, sweetie."

Douglas didn't like the fact that she was so cavalier with that word 'retard' because he had known a lot of kids like that. Douglas was about to respond, but Lindsey walked on.

Wade grinned, "It feels good to get a professional second opinion."

Douglas said, "Maybe she can fix your nose because there ain't no fixing your face."