“Is that the bottle of pills that he took?” I questioned, pointing at the second photo. There was a distinct empty prescription bottle lying by one of the rocks with the lid off.
“Yes.”
I brought the picture closer to my face to try to read the name on the prescription.
“It was the same prescription that was confirmed he took for his back pain, by uh, Anita Taylor.”
“That’s my mother,” I said but shook my head. “He rarely took medication for his back pain. He relied on his recliner and ointment.”
All I got was a weak smile from the deputy.
I huffed and stood, feeling patronized, instead of getting through to this guy.
“What good are any of you?” Disgust tinged every word that came out.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Taylor. I realize this can be a tough thing to deal with.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Given the evidence at the scene, the ME’s report, and the note, I think it’s pretty clear that this death was a suicide.”
“Note? What note?”
The deputy stumbled for a bit, looking surprised. “You weren’t told?”
“What note?”
He looked through the file and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it. “You should’ve been told about this. Your grandfather left a suicide note.”
My eyes bulged, and I snatched the paper from the deputy.
Dear family,
I’m so lonely. Everyone is gone, and I don’t have anything to live for anymore. My body is in too much pain. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.
Tom.
I made a disgusted sound at the back of my throat and shoved the note in the deputy’s face. “Thisis your proof that he killed himself? Are you kidding me? This department has to either be full of the most corrupt or incompetent staff on the planet. Which is it, Deputy? Are you a lying son of a bitch or an idiot?”
“Ms. Taylor, I suggest you lower your tone and show some respect.”
“Respect? I know you didn’t tell me to show some respect. I’ll— What the hell?” I blurted as a firm hold around my arm began pulling me backward. I turned and started to swing on whoever the hell was grabbing me, but that’s when I caught sight of a very pissed off Micah.
My attitude, though still present, reduced from a boil down to a simmer as he pulled me away from the deputy, and out of the deputy’s station area.
We made it outside before he turned to me with practical steam shooting out of the top of his head. His face was almost beet red.
“What the fuck was that?” he demanded.
“That was me getting some answers,” I shouted as angrily as he looked.
“Or putting a fucking target on your damn back. I knew you’d show up here. That was a foregone conclusion since you don’t trust me enough to handle this case competently. But instead of finding you in the ME’s office, I find you with one of the deputies ready to rip his head off and all but accuse the entire department of covering up your grandfather’s murder.”
“That’s what they’re doing.”
“Lower your damn voice.” He took me by the arm again, his head pivoting from one direction to the other.
“Get off me.” I swung at his hand to disengage my arm from his hold, but he didn’t budge. I could’ve struggled harder and broken the grip but I chose not to. I found myself pushed against the door of his truck, parked next to mine. Micah placed his hands against the vehicle at either side of my body.
