Before we enter the bedroom, I ask Wheeler, “We saw your CSI van out front. Did you get anything yet?”
He huffs, making his thick mustache flutter. “I was told to stand down. They’re waiting for you to green-light them.”
No chance we’re letting them process the scene. On the way, we confirmed an ERT—evidence response team—was already en route.
McBride chimes in, voicing my thoughts. “Appreciate that. You can send ‘em on their way. The bureau’s ERT is only a few minutes out.”
“It’s all yours then.” He gestures with an open palm toward the bedroom door. “Good luck.”
Having already viewed the photo of the body, I’m prepared for what I see once I pass the threshold. Slipping on a pair of latex gloves, I point my chin at the coroner’s tech standing beside the bed. “Pull the cover back, please.”
When she does, Andrews and McBride both falter back. I fight the impulse to do the same.
“Fucking hell,” I utter, unable to bite my tongue. “That’s alotof blood.”
“And body parts,” the tech adds, devoid of all humor.
Agent McBride drops another colorful gem of Texas wisdom. “This poor bastard. He drew the wrong bull, I’ll tell ya that.”
Andrew whistles. “No wonder the girlfriend’s a mess. I’ve got my work cut out for me.”
He departs to question her while Luke and I meticulously study the scene.
I circle the bed, taking care with each step not to disturb any evidence. McBride does the same, staying farther away from the body and scanning the rest of the room.
I analyze the victim for clues while actively blocking out his obvious suffering. And there was clearlya lotof it.
Among the carnage, a patch of skin near his chest was carved out and removed. That’s unusual.
Glancing at the coroner’s tech, I ask, “Any idea whether this patch of skin is still here or did the killer take it?”
If we don’t find it, then it’s either a trophy for the perp or could point to some type of ritual killing. Alternatively, it might be a marking they didn’t want to leave behind for us to find.
From behind me, Agent McBride pipes in. “You mean this?”
I turn and find him pointing at a chunk of bloody flesh in the corner of the room. Upon closer inspection, the flayed skin appears to have contained a tattoo.
“Get a picture of that over to command right away,” I suggest to him.
He’s already pulling out his phone. “On it. I’d like the gang unit to see it too. It looks familiar.”
The ERT arrives as he’s putting his phone away. We meet the team lead in the hallway while dozens of agents swarm the scene. If the killer left anything behind, they’ll find it.
Systematically, Luke and I work backward, moving from the bedroom through the rest of the house. Despite his initial wave of discomfort, McBride handles the investigation like a polished professional.
And best of all, he doesn’t ask questions about my family or needle me about Lila.
Once we finish analyzing the scene, I step out for some fresh air and to let my thoughts unfold.
Luke joins me, retrieving his phone immediately. “I’m gettin’ the boss lady on the horn.”
She answers after one ring, her tone controlled and direct. “What do you have for me, McBride?”
“Gotcha on speaker, ma’am. Hayes is here. Andrews is still with the girlfriend. We’re wrapping up at the scene.”
“Break it down for me.”
Luke starts from the top. “No sign of forced entry. We suspect the perp or perps subdued the vic and dragged him down the hall to the bedroom and tied him to the bed.”
