A Healer's War

Chapter 20 - Dirty Jobs

Chapter 20: Dirty Job

06:30. Tuesday - April 17th

7 miles east of Springfield, Oregon

In a damp wood, near a city, by a river, two bodies lay half-buried at the bottom of a deep, muddy pit. Based on the sheer volume of empty beer cans and crushed red cups, this was a popular spot for parties. Yards of yellow 'Caution' tape and little numbered flags poked up everywhere. Surveying the scene, Jane guessed Emmett's forensics team had already been through. They marked every food wrapper, every bottle cap, and what looked like footprints at the lip of the pit. With its ragged muck, upturned red soil, and ring of grey mushrooms around its edge, it reminded Jane of an open wound.

"Must have been a hell of a shock," Jane said, brushing a pink strand from her face.

"Huh?" Emmett said next to her, still glued to his phone. He hadn't really set it down since they arrived, coordinating an entire manhunt through that tiny screen.

"'Huh?' The kid who found the bodies. Must have been a shock."

Emmett finished his message and slipped his phone away. "We're getting the last testimony now." He pointed through the trees, about a hundred feet off, where a group of college students, most wearing Greek letters on their sweatshirts, stood in a loose group with a pair of agents watching over them. Their eyes were downcast and somber—fearful, Jane noted. "Apparently, one guy went to pee and fell in. Came face to face with our mummies."

"That'll sober you up real quick."

Emmett nodded, chuckling, and pointed at a smear of dirt and orange-red clay from the fall. "About three hours ago."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Three hours? Nice response time."

"We got lucky being so close," Emmett said. "Unfortunately, the bodies aren't much good. Forensics tells me they are too decomposed to pull much evidence. Been here a couple weeks, exposed." He sighed. "Still, this is the freshest scene to date. We're normally months behind."

"Or the killer is just months further ahead," Jane muttered, squinting down at the bodies. "Well... shall we go look?" She meant to wait for a reply, but already took a step.

Emmett grabbed her shoulder and guided her back. "Hold on. Forensics went to get a piece of special equipment. They think they might salvage something from the bodies but told me to keep everyone from contaminating the site before they get back."

"But isn't this your investigation?" Jane said, not understanding Emmett's passivity. "This is your call."

"Exactly, Jane. I work with my team." Emmett countered. "And I listen to orders. The Director wants this place analyzed first, then we can go poke around. Just be patient."

"Patience..." Jane rolled her eyes. She glanced up through the trees and saw an ominous cloud filling the horizon. "When that storm hits, your pit will turn into a pond in a hurry, and you can kiss whatever shreds of evidence goodbye."

"Anything down there can survive a little rain," Emmett said.

Jane pointed at the clouds. "That one looks angry, and a hard rain could flush something we want to see." It felt flimsy, even to her, but it's what she had with Emmett sticking to the Director's guns. She had some work to do.

"My call, Jane. My orders."

Orders. Jane turned up her nose. What he really meant was obedience. "You are playing or a pawn, Emmett." She scoffed. "Standing still like this makes you predictable – an easy mark for any half-decent con."