“This is Efrain at Airport in the Sky,” he said, voice steadier now. “We just arrived to assess storm damage.” He took a deep breath. “We’ve discovered what appears to be a deceased female.” Another pause, nothing coming from the other end of the radio. “We’re requesting immediate law enforcement response.”
There was about a ten-second pause before the radio hissed. “Copy. Avalon units will be en route in the next few minutes. Air Rescue 5 will be contacted. Do not disturb the scene.”
“Copy,” Efrain said. He put the radio away.
Zach took several steps back, shaking his head as though trying to shake loose a nightmare.
“Why am I here again?”
“Because you show up when people need you,” Efrain said softly.
“That’s not what everyone else is going to think.” Zach paced, hands on his head. “This looks so damn bad. I’m going to end up in jail.”
“No, you won’t. I haven’t been on any of the other scenes, and I came with you today.Wediscovered this together.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s what people believe,” Zach said. “I know it’s not about me. It’s about Candy, and her life being cut short, but dammit, I can’t keep being the one standing closest.”
“It’s going to be okay, Zach. You’ll see.”
“I don’t believe that,” Zach muttered.
“Let’s get the generator going and make coffee. This is going to be a very long day,” Efrain said.
Zach nodded numbly and followed his friend around the back of the diner, careful not to disturb anything near Candy’s body. They both knew someone on this island was killing, and it appeared they were getting bolder by the day.
The first siren echoed faintly, building quickly. Zach and Efrain stepped outside again, neither feeling steadier after forcing down bitter coffee.
A deputy’s SUV pulled up. Sergeant Durante stepped out, followed by Deputies Evans, Duong, and law enforcement technician Eileen Roof with her camera gear. Their expressions tightened the moment they saw Candy.
Evans and Duong moved on instinct, unspooling yellow tape and snapping it into place like a boundary the island couldn’t argue with. Duong stationed himself at the diner door, palm up whenever anyone drifted too close. Evans walked the perimeter, eyes down, scanning for tracks in the wet grit and for anything the storm hadn’t eaten. Eileen slipped on gloves and started wide shots from beyond the tape, camera clicking with a calm that felt obscene.
Deputy Ciscel stepped out last, a small notebook in his hand. His pen didn’t hesitate to write a single word before the pad closed. Ciscel didn’t say anything. He rarely did.
More sirens followed—fire department trucks rumbling up the hill.
“Efrain. Zach.” Durante nodded. “Did either of you touch anything?”
“No, sir,” Efrain said. “We called as soon as we saw her.”
Zach stayed silent, jaw ticking. He didn’t want to see what was surely in Durante’s eyes.
“You look shaken, Zach,” Durante said.
“Any normal person would be,” Zach replied. “Especially when this keeps happening.”
“Yeah,” Durante said. “It’s pretty damn contagious.”
“Fear always is,” Efrain cut in.
Durante nodded to Eileen. “Take wide shots first, then close. Don’t get too close to the body. LA County Homicide wants itpreserved exactly as found. Coroner’s coming in on Air Rescue 5 as soon as fire clears the runway.”
Eileen nodded and began photographing everything—the body, the wall, the walkway, Zach and Efrain.
Durante turned back. “Anyone else here?”
“Not that we saw,” Efrain said. “And the road’s rough.”
Durante exhaled heavily, steadying himself or perhaps the air itself. Catalina wasn’t built for homicide scenes. But here they were—number three.
