Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Amanda led the way through the field toward the body.
No sign of Wildlife Resources yet, but Rideout was over the body with Liam at his side, on his tablet.
He often recorded Rideout’s observations.
CSIs Blair and Donnelly were standing back, ready to collect, photograph, or move in once the body was removed.
The ground beneath the victim could house key evidence.
Rideout briefly looked away from the body to acknowledge their return. “And here you are just as you promised.”
“We wouldn’t want to let you down.” Amanda welcomed the light banter, anything that would attempt to tamp down the direness of the situation.
“Yes, well… I don’t have to tell you the birds made a real mess of the remains. I can still confidently say, there is evidence of several stab wounds. At preliminary count, there are five. I’ll know for sure once I get him back to the morgue.”
That would be where Paul Archer would be dissected further. His organs weighed and measured, and every part of him treated like parts of a machine. “Do you think he bled out from all those wounds, or was one in particular the cause of death?”
Rideout smiled. “I’ll reserve commenting until I’ve returned with him to the morgue and have conducted a thorough examination of the remains.”
Amanda glanced at the body again. “Multiple stab wounds could indicate torture. Can you tell if they were inflicted over a period of time?” She was thinking how the Archer house was tossed.
Someone was looking for something. Now whether that was information stored somewhere or a specific item, they had no way of knowing at this point.
“Not here.”
“You’ll know more once you get back to the morgue.” That was the ME’s fallback position, not that she begrudged him that, especially with this case and the condition of the remains.
“Time of death, by chance?” Trent asked.
“Likely days.”
“Remember, Wildlife Resources should be able to help us with that too.” Emma Blair spoke up.
Rideout glanced at her and shook his head. “Sounds like Liam and I should leave then, let them take over from here.” His expression came out sounding serious until the end when his mouth cracked into a grin.
“Touchy,” Emma said to him. “All they can tell is us how long the body’s been exposed to the birds. That could give us a ballpark. So calm down, cowboy.”
Liam laughed, but Rideout grimaced.
Amanda pointed at the remaining eye. “Does the cloudiness suggest he’s been here a while?”
“Not necessarily. Corneal clouding begins within two hours of death. It’s also dependent upon environmental factors, like humidity, for example.”
Working in their favor was the fact it hadn’t rained since last Friday. That was at least one thing that hadn’t violated the scene. The sun and heat would have though. “So in this case…?”
“It would have happened fast.” Rideout motioned toward Liam, signaling for him to help move the body. “Let’s get him on the road. However long he’s been here, it’s been long enough.”
Liam set the tablet down on his bag and got to work.
“When will the autopsy be?” Amanda asked.
“He’ll move up to the front of the line,” Rideout said. “Decomposition is already working against us. Not to say any more about the birds’ picnic.”
“Text me a time?” Amanda requested from Liam, who managed Rideout’s schedule.
Liam paused from unfolding a body bag. “It will be later today, as an estimate.”
“Thank you,” Amanda told him. “Well, Trent and I are headed out. Emma, Isabelle, please text if there’s anything that comes to your attention after we leave. Also whatever Wildlife Resources might have to say.”
“You got it,” Emma told her.
Amanda and Trent began the trek back to the car. While the distance might not be far, her steps were weighed down with thoughts about what to do next. It was never easy telling people their loved ones had been murdered.
“Multiple stab wounds shows some intent. Whoever did this wanted him dead,” Trent said.
She slowed her steps and spoke over her shoulder. “They also wanted him to suffer. The question is why.”