After a few seconds of mental debate, she finally nodded. “You do realize I can’t hide the report from my boss. While there’ve been no connections formally made with the case involving Denise and the young woman inside, there very well could be.If Ms. Murphy signs off on the body, her name will be in the system.”
“For God’s sake, I’m right here. And she’s not a body. She’s a beautiful seventeen-year-old girl who was lured into some fake modeling contract by an unscrupulous man involved in a dangerous, twisted club where men believe women to be objects bought and sold at will. How dare you treat her as if she’s nothing but a body on a slab.”
Kendrick chuckled. “Reese doesn’t mince words, Jackie.”
Jackie remained uncomfortable. “Neither do you. Very well. I’m going to warn you again. Her condition is rough.”
There was nothing else to say at this point.
While Jackie opened the door, Kendrick took a moment to pull me aside and against him, pressing his face into my neck. “You can do this. I’ll be with you.”
“I know.” When he brushed his lips against my skin, a tiny shudder swept through me. This time because he had a calming effect on me.
Jackie led the way, nodding to someone inside.
“I’m Doctor Wright. I’m very sorry for the circumstances. If you’ll follow me.”
We were led through a series of doors into a cold, stark room. Seeing the tile floor and the dim lighting, a colder shiver trickled all the way down my spine. Lightheaded, I could barely move my feet to walk close to the steel table positioned in the center of the room. This wasn’t like any movie I’d watched, the bleakness something that would haunt my nightmares for years to come.
My stomach remained in knots, an intense ache lingering behind my eyes.
After hearing the news, images of Briana’s face had continuously popped into my mind. Always with her smiling and laughing. Even during her illness and at her sickest, she’d always managed to smile. Even giggle. I’d never be able to forget her laugh.
Jackie waited in the shadows while the medical examiner moved to the other side of the table. Everything was surreal. The chill in the room. The positioning of the equipment including a deep sink and tall stainless-steel faucet. Other than my thudding heartbeat, the only other noise in the room was coming from a vent positioned close to the ceiling. The sound captured my attention and for a few seconds, I concentrated on the oversized grate.
Finally, I forced myself to look at the table. A slender strand of hair was peeking out, blonde with blue highlights. A sob escaped before I could stop it. Kendrick was right there, holding me, keeping me aloft.
Without his arm around me, my knees would buckle.
Focusing was difficult, tears keeping a light fog. I brushed them away, knowing everyone was waiting for me to agree or nod or something.
That’s all I could manage.
With her hands gloved, the doctor gripped the top of the sheet.
She pulled the drape down to the girl’s chest.
And once again, all eyes were on me.
Watching.
Waiting.
Anticipating.
I fell against Kendrick, taking gasping breaths. “That’s not my sister.” But she’d been made to look like Briana. I was certain of it. Was it terrible of me to feel instant glee? A poor girl was lying dead on a piece of steel and I was giddy inside.
“You’re certain?” Jackie asked.
“I’m positive. But I’ve seen her before in the group I was in. Don’t you remember? One of the sketches.”
Turning immediately, as soon as I locked eyes with Kendrick, he nodded.
“She’s right.” He said nothing else and I knew he was being cautious around Jackie. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.” He wasn’t interested in waiting to talk to the detective, pushing me from the room and taking long strides down the corridor as if with urgency.
“Wait. Kendrick,” Jackie called from behind. “We need to talk.”
“We have nothing to talk about, Jackie,” he answered, still pushing me forward.
