Chapter 18 #2
“Also,” Burke added, “if we find the grave with the lichen on the surface, without footwear supporting our theory, it could just be coincidental.”
“Agreed,” Sam said. “But before wasting too much time discussing this, we can either search for the lichen in the morning, or we can get someone to the property to do a professional search.”
Abby connected gazes with Sam. “Nolan told us he would call Dr. Kelsey Dunbar at the Veritas Center to see if she might be available if we need her. She’s their forensic anthropologist. Do you know her?”
Sam nodded. “She’s the best.”
“Let me see what he learned.” She dug out her phone and tapped his icon. When he answered, she put him on speaker and explained their thoughts about the lichen. “Did you talk to Dr. Dunbar?”
“I did,” he said. “I just have to let Kelsey know if we need her, and we’d become a top priority in her schedule.”
“Then let’s get her out to the property as soon as possible. The first ferry tomorrow arrives at six.”
“No need to depend on the ferry,” Burke said. “I can bring her over in my friend’s boat.”
“Good. I’ll let you know when to expect her.” Nolan ended the call.
Excitement burning in her gut, Abby looked at Sam. “I’d hate to put Victor through watching Kelsey search his property for a body, especially not his wife’s. I would like to leave him here.”
Sam covered her heart with her hand. “That would be cruel. He can stay here. No problem.”
“But we do need to tell him what’s going on,” Burke said. “And get written permission to search his property. You seem to have the best connection with him, Abby. Can you talk to him? I’ll be there for support.”
“Of course.” She didn’t want to be the one to break the news that his wife might be buried on his property, but delivering bad news had always been part of her job as a sheriff. Meant she had plenty of experience, and maybe she could help him move closer to believing in God.
“Victor doesn’t need protection here,” Burke said. “Still, I’d like to leave Gabe here with him. Never know when Victor might freak out and demand to leave.”
Not an idea Abby much liked. “I’m sure Gabe would agree, but I’ve basically only given him grunt jobs. Let’s let him finish reviewing the journals, then he can interview the people Detective Orman talked to. I can call Nolan back and ask him to send someone else from our team.”
“Hold up,” Sam said. “Why make them drive all this way? I’m sure Gage would assign someone to stay with Victor.”
Abby liked the idea, but… “We’ve already asked so much of you guys.”
“You know we’re happy to help in any way we can. Helping others is our calling.”
Abby smiled at her. “If you put it that way, then sure, and we really appreciate all of you. Gage needs to know Victor is temperamental, and it would be good to have someone with plenty of patience staying with him.”
Burke grimaced. “She says as I’m about to spend the rest of the night with the man in a tiny cabin.”
Sam chuckled. Abby wanted to join in, but Burke just highlighted another personality trait. Impatience. Something else he had in common with her family. Control their surroundings and people to help them achieve their goal, and along the way, if the person didn’t fall into place, lose patience.
She couldn’t think about that now. She had to prepare herself for breaking the bad news to Victor.
Burke smiled at Sam. “I guess we’ll see you at dinner unless you keep working and discover something else before then.”
“I’ll take another look at the oil sample. I already took a quick look at it on my other microscope. Dust and debris has settled into the sample, suggesting it’s been there for some time. I can further analyze the layering of particles, which might offer a rough timeline.”
Burke’s expression didn’t change much, but the respect in his eyes said enough. “I’m way beyond impressed with what you can do.”
“Actually, this is nothing. Next, I’ll use gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze chemical degradation.
” She paused and looked at them. “Your blank expressions say this means nothing to you, but trust me. It’s specialized equipment, so not every forensic tech uses it, but it’s the gold standard in forensic trace evidence analysis. ”
“Then I’m thankful we have you on our side.” Burke smiled.
He might be tough and impatient, but he readily praised solid work, which Abby’s family didn’t do. A characteristic in his favor, but did it outweigh the negative ones?
“Thanks again, Sam.” Abby turned toward the door. “No time like the present to talk to Victor.”
Burke caught up to her. “One of the pleasant parts of our job I’m sure you don’t miss.”
She didn’t stop walking, but continued toward the cabin. “I don’t, but in my current line of work, I always face the possibility of informing families their loved ones are deceased.”
“Has it happened often?”
She shook her head. “Thankfully, no. We’ve had good success so far, but we know every rescue can’t turn out positively.”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what you do. Looks like you’ve got a solid crew—tight-knit, good chemistry.”
“We do. Makes facing challenges easier.” She reached the cabin and knocked on the door, then pushed it open.
He sat in an easy chair, a book in his lap, an empty plate on a nearby table. He shot a quick look in their direction and released a deep breath. “It’s just you. Good.”
“Relax. You don’t have to worry about any danger here.” She took a seat on the chair next to him.
“Then why send him to babysit me?” He jerked his thumb at Gabe, sitting at the dining table, lost in his phone.
Victor was right. She’d be wound up in his position too, but she wouldn’t explain their reasons when they had something far more difficult to talk about.
He glanced at Burke and then back at her. “With the somber looks on your faces, you must be here to give me bad news.”
“We are.” She shared the information about the lichen. She’d caught Gabe’s attention, but she had to focus on Victor.
Victor sat forward, the book on his lap sliding to the floor. “And you’re just telling me this now?”
“We wanted to see if it was important to the investigation before upsetting you.”
He clutched his hands together on his lap. “The thing you’re not saying is you think Estelle is buried near this lichen.”
“It’s a possibility we have to explore,” she said. “We’ll need your permission to search your entire property.”
He scratched his unkempt facial hair, but didn’t answer. She fell silent, waiting for his response.
“Seems like I don’t have any choice.” The defeat in his tone broke Abby’s heart. “Where do I sign?”
“I’ll get the necessary forms together for you in the next few minutes,” Burke said.
Victor shook his head. “I thought this day might come, but it will be hard to watch the search for Estelle.”
“About that,” Abby said, dreading sharing the next thing she had to tell him. “We can’t have a civilian present during the search, so you have to stay here for the day. But that’s good news. You’ll be safe and not have to worry.”
“Not worry? Of course, I’ll worry.” He messed up his hair, then clutched it as if wanting to pull it out. “The only way I’ll agree to remain here is if you call me immediately when you have information.”
Delivering negative information by phone wouldn’t be Abby’s first choice, but if she had to do it to keep him here, she would. “I’d rather wait until I see you.”
“Because you think you’ll find Estelle.” His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “But, okay. As long as you come to see me as soon as you can.”
“I promise.” She took his hand. “God can be by your side through all of this, Victor. You just have to ask Him.”
“I don’t know.” He shifted in his chair. “Maybe I can try it.”
She seized the opportunity to help bring God’s peace to his life. “Let’s do it together.”
She offered a heartfelt prayer. Surprisingly he offered a halting one of his own. It wasn’t pretty. Not eloquent. But it was music to Abby’s ears.
She squeezed his hand. “Just keep praying. I promise it’ll help.”
“Couldn’t hurt, I guess.” A faint smile appeared on his face. “Thanks for showing me how important it might be.”
She smiled back at him and stood. “We’ll arrange for someone to stay with you tomorrow to ease your security worries.”
Gabe cocked his head in question. She shook hers, letting him know he was off the hook from another unexciting day of babysitting.
He slashed a hand in front of his neck and smiled.
Burke gave Victor what she knew was one of his rare comforting smiles. “We want to make this process as easy for you as we can.”
“I thank you for that.” Victor relaxed back in his chair.
Abby’s heart, already warm from Victor’s attempt to return to God, heated even more over the kindness Burke had just shown. Another positive characteristic in Burke’s favor. He could empathize with people in difficult situations and didn’t seem afraid to show his compassion.
Confusing. Which guy was he really? The one who reminded her of her family, or the one who’d just comforted a stranger in need?
Did it even matter? She wouldn’t give in to her feelings, especially not when they could possibly find Estelle’s body tomorrow, changing everything.
Abby would once again find herself working with Burke on a stressful murder investigation. Such an investigation would take over everything else in her life right now, leaving her feelings for Burke on the back burner.
Enough. No more tossing and turning for Burke.
He gave up on trying to turn off his brain to sleep.
He hadn’t been counting sheep because his thoughts were filled with the investigation.
No. It was Abby of course. She occupied every inch of his mind, coupled with visions of a future with her.
Like tonight. Sitting across from her in a casual dinner setting, relaxed and animated.
A side of her he’d never seen before, and he liked it. Every bit of it.
“Argh.” He pushed out of the twin bed, making sure he didn’t wake the snoring Victor.