“Evidence tech here?” she asked.
“In the back.”
Niyah walked through a barren living room, which led to a cluttered dining room, and then into a hall, passing a bathroom along the way. The hall eventually led to a filthy kitchen. And just past the kitchen was the bedroom. Since that was where the evidence technician was, Niyah assumed it was her crime scene.
Upon stepping inside, she immediately recognized the ET. Ernestine Brown was experienced and very thorough. Shelooked up from her camera. “Hey, Dr. Reed. I’ll be outta your hair in just a sec.”
“Hi.” Niyah stepped closer to the bed and looked down at the victim. “Listen, take your time. He ain’t leaving until I say so.”
Ernestine chuckled. “I suppose that’s true.”
The scene was almost identical to the others she and Bella had worked on. It was another naked male, black with gang tattoos, lying in a pool of blood with dried semen on his genitals. Niyah slipped into a pair of gloves and kneeled down for a closer look. She picked up the decedent's flaccid penis and examined underneath. Just like the others, there was evidence of friction, indicating that the victim had recently had sexual intercourse.
“Ernestine, do you know what detective is handling this case?”
Ernestine nodded. “Yeah, it’s Bella Deveraux.”
“Mm-mm,” Niyah contradicted. “Bella is out sick.”
“Well, shit. I don’t know,” she replied with a shrug.
No matter who it was, Niyah had a job to do. So, she continued her field examination.
Fifteen minutes in, she had no doubt whatsoever that they were dealing with the same killer from the other crime scenes. Niyah would bet her career on it. The rumors were correct. There was definitely a pattern. Hopefully, the crime lab would have something for them sooner than later.
Niyah was nearly done with her examination when a heavy-set, bearded ginger entered the bedroom. “You the M.E.?” he asked in a husky, smoker’s voice.
“I am,” Niyah responded. “Are you the detective on this case?”
“For now. I’m just standing in for somebody.”
“Bella Deveraux is gonna be out for a while. It’s seems you might be permanently assigned to this case.”
A low growl rumbled from the detective’s thick neck. “The last thing I need is to be working the murder of another trifling gangbanger.
Niyah looked down at the victim and then back to the detective. Glaring through narrowed lids, she asked. “So, you look down at this butt-naked man with puncture wounds in his chest and cum all over his dick and you see a gang-related murder?”
The fat detective frowned and looked at her as if he could smell her. “I just got here. Let me get caught up!” he retorted.
Niyah shook her head and peeled the gloves from her fingers. “I’m done here. I’ll see him when he gets to the morgue.”
“Mm-mm,” he mumbled at her back when she left the bedroom.
CHAPTER 19
VICTOR
“Governor, Jack Storm is on the landline.”
Victor walked behind his desk and grabbed the receiver. “Jack, how are you?”
“I’m good, Governor. I’m actually calling to check on you. How is Lucas? And now, I hear Bella’s been hurt. Are they okay?”
Victor sighed. “They will be.”
“That’s good to hear. Victoria and I were worried.”
Victor found himself laughing for the first time in a long time. “Victoria was worried about Bella?”
