Niyah leaned over to inspect the body. Cracks in the victim’s skull indicated blunt-force trauma. Closer inspection revealed at least four spherical lacerations that could’ve easily been cause of death. “Looks like a hammer,” she told the detective.
“Good eye, Doc. We have the murder weapon. It is indeed a hammer.”
It amused Niyah how surprised police personnel seemed when she was able to pinpoint cause of death, murder weapons, or time of death. Did they not know that it was her job to know these things? Deep down, they must’ve assumed that only detectives had perfected their craft. Maybe they thought all ME and forensic pathologists were simply guessing.
A quick examination revealed that the victim had been dead approximately eight to twelve hours. And fluid on her buttocks and thighs hinted that there had been a sexual assault.
“Detective, so far, we have a sexual assault with blunt-force trauma to the head. The victim was killed less than twenty-four hours ago. She’s ready for transport. I’ll do a full workup once I get her on my table.”
“10-4, Doc. Thanks.”
Niyah nodded and then stood. She took a step back to observe a moment of silence like she did for all the homicide victims she’d examined. After a sigh, she pulled the gloves from her hand and left the detective to do what detectives do.
***
Niyah pulled into the parking lot and parked her county vehicle in the spot reserved for the Cook County Medical Examiner. She grabbed her bag and purse and climbed out. After making her way through the crossing garage, she entered the building, longing for the silence of her office. A few seconds in the hallway, led her to her office. She fished her keys out of her bag to open the door, but it wasn’t locked. Either her assistant or her intern had left her office door unlocked.
Niyah pushed inside and dropped her bag by the door. She inhaled a breath, reveling in the tranquility of her office. Passing her desk, she made her way across the room and dropped down on the sofa. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. There had been so much going on. If she had one wish, Niyah would wish for one moment when she could totally forget about her sister in relation to the gangbanger serial killings.
The onset of a headache prompted Niyah to massage her temples, but a shuffle across the room opened her eyes. To Niyah’s horror, she wasn’t alone. Belladonna Deveraux was standing in the corner of her office. The accusatory glint in her eyes triggered level of anxiety that snatched Niyah upright.
“W-what are you doing here? Are... are you back at work?” Niyah asked, fumbling nervously as Bella pushed off the wall and closed the distance between them.
She leaned over Niyah and glared at her through narrowed lids. “Why the fuck are you lying to me?”
BELLA
Bella gauged Niyah’s reaction. She blinked and looked away like a woman keeping a secret. But Bella was prepared to press until she found out what the secret was. Her friend stood and walked over to stand behind her desk. Bella assumed she was trying to place herself in a position of power.
“Lying?” she repeated as if she was offended by the accusation.
Bella stalked over and placed her palms on Niyah’s desk. She glared at her through a squint. “Niyah Lee, I’ve been a homicide detective long enough to know that you had more than enough for a DNA profile. So, why are you lying to me?”
Niyah kicked her office chair to the side, marched around her desk, and approached Bella until they were nose to nose. “And when did you get a medical degree, Detective? I must’ve missed that on your CV.”
Bella’s chuckle didn’t hide the loss of her patience. “Girl, I don’t need no fuckin’ medical degree to know you lying bout the DNA sample! What the fuck is going on?”
After a brief standoff, Niyah must’ve realized that she wasn’t about to convince Bella that she was crazy, her shoulders fell. She sighed and plopped down on the edge of her desk. “I fucked up, okay?”
Bella studied Niyah to see if she was being sincere. “Fucked up how?”
“I contaminated the larger samples and my assistant got confused and destroyed them all.”
Bella shook her head in disbelief. “That’s not like you. You’re too meticulous to misuse or contaminate evidence.”
Niyah exhaled a sharp breath and threw her hands in the air. “I’m fucking human!” she screamed, throwing Bella off balance.
She’d never witness such emotions from Niyah, especially at work. Niyah was a consummate professional. She didn’t make mistakes, at least none that Bella had knowledge of. However, Niyah was right. She was only human, and mistakes were feasible. Bella pressed her lips together while convincing herself to give her friend the benefit of the doubt. She didn’t know Niyah to be a liar. So, she relaxed her spine and rubbed Niyah’s shoulder. “Sorry, friend. It’s just that this case is such a clusterfuck.” Bella sighed. “I mean, really? A ghetto serial killer? What the fuck?”
Niyah nodded. “I know. This shit is crazy. No more mistakes, friend. I promise.”
Bella sighed. “Alright, good. Let’s close this soon. The press is up our ass about this case.”
“Gotcha.”
“No more mistakes,” Bella reiterated.
The sound of someone clearing their throat turned their attention toward the door.
