CSI San Antonio

18

After they finished dinner, Victoria stretched and stifled a yawn, giving Samantha a tired smile. "Alright, Sammy, I think I need to get a few more hours of sleep before tonight’s shift," she said, reaching over to squeeze her daughter’s hand. "But first, let’s get you set up for tomorrow. Swimming and sketching sound like the plan for the evening?"

Samantha nodded. “Yeah, I need to get some laps in and clear my head before I start my sketches.”

Victoria smiled. "That's my girl. I’m proud of you, you know? You’re handling all this change so well."

Samantha beamed back at her mother. “Thanks, Mom. I couldn’t do it without you.”

Victoria gave her one last hug before heading to her bedroom, kicking off her shoes and settling into bed with a sigh. Her thoughts flickered back to the night’s cases and her upcoming shift. This work was intense, but she loved the challenge of each new case, knowing her efforts might bring someone answers.

A few hours later, Victoria was ready to leave for her shift. Samantha was sitting at the table, her damp hair still dripping slightly from her swim, a sketchpad and a few pencils scattered around her. She looked up as her mom approached.

"Goodnight, Sammy,” Victoria said warmly, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “Hope tomorrow’s just as great as today. Please go to sleep soon, okay?”

“Goodnight, Mom. Be safe out there,” Samantha replied, reaching over to give her a quick hug. “And don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Just a few more minutes.”

Victoria smiled, touched by her daughter’s words. “That’s my brave girl,” she murmured before heading out the door.

Arriving at the station, Victoria was met by the hum of activity. She spotted Alan in the hallway, organizing a few case files as he spotted her with a welcoming smile.

"Back for more?" he asked with a warm tone, glancing up at her with a glint in his eye.

"Wouldn’t miss it,” Victoria replied, shrugging off her coat and grabbing her notepad. "It’s growing on me, you know—there’s something really rewarding about this work. Though I still need more sleep,” she added with a smirk.

Alan chuckled, a soft warmth in his gaze. "You’re fitting in well, Victoria. It’s great to have someone with your dedication around here.” He hesitated, clearing his throat as if to hold something back. “And… it’s good seeing you settle in,” he finished, a touch more reserved.

Victoria gave him a grateful smile, touched by his words. "Thanks, Alan. I feel like I’m finding my stride."

Just then, Officer Lewis approached, his expression serious. "Detective, we’ve got a report—a body’s been found in the middle of Lone Pine Forest. Hikers stumbled upon it earlier this afternoon."

Victoria exchanged a look with Alan, their expressions instantly sharpening.

"Lone Pine Forest?" Victoria asked, immediately alert. "That’s pretty remote. Has a team already been dispatched?"

"Yes," Lewis replied. "They’ve secured the area and are waiting for CSI."

Alan motioned for Victoria to follow. “Let’s get suited up. This might be a long one.”

An hour later, Victoria and Alan arrived at Lone Pine Forest. The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as they trudged deeper into the woods, guided by flashlights and the voices of officers securing the perimeter. Finally, they reached a small clearing where the body lay, partially covered by leaves and brush.

"Alright, let’s get to work," Alan murmured, glancing at Victoria. "It’s been a while since I’ve had a case like this."

Victoria knelt beside the body, pulling on her gloves. Her heartbeat steadied, her mind sharpening with familiar focus. She scanned the scene, noting details: the odd angle of the victim’s limbs, the clothing dirt-stained and torn, and a faint trail of blood leading away from the clearing.

"Male, mid-thirties," she said aloud, her voice steady as she started logging her observations. “Bruising on the arms and neck—could be signs of a struggle.”

Alan nodded, watching as she leaned closer to inspect the victim’s hands. She noticed dirt and what looked like small splinters embedded in the skin.

“He was dragged,” Victoria said, glancing up at Alan. “There’s dirt under his fingernails and his palms have scrape marks. He was trying to resist.”

Alan’s expression tightened. "Looks like he put up a fight."

They continued to work in tandem, examining the scene for evidence. Victoria spotted a torn piece of fabric caught on a nearby branch, carefully collecting it in a small evidence bag. Alan photographed the area around the body, capturing every detail.

“Let’s get a sample of the soil near the trail of blood,” Victoria suggested, crouching low. “It could help us trace his movements before he ended up here.”

As the evidence collection continued, Alan studied her with subtle admiration. Victoria was thorough, methodical, and observant—a natural fit for this job.

Once the initial examination was complete, Victoria stood up, stretching her back. “This case has all the markings of something more than a random attack. There’s intent here.”

Alan nodded, his gaze contemplative. “I agree. Whoever did this wanted him out of sight but didn’t go far enough to completely cover it up. Either they were interrupted, or they planned on coming back.”

The forensic team arrived to take over with the body, and Victoria handed them the samples and notes she’d taken. She and Alan exchanged a glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them—they both knew this was just the beginning of a complex case.

As they walked back toward their vehicle, Alan finally broke the silence, his tone thoughtful. “We’ll have to wait for the lab results, but I’d bet there’s a story behind this one. A tangled one.”

Victoria nodded, her thoughts already whirling with possibilities. “Well, it looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us.” She glanced at Alan, a small smile playing at her lips. “Better buckle up.”