Present
I sneak a peak over at Ray leaning casually against the wall. His connection to Detective Shaw has always baffled me. I don’t understand how he could possibly be any help with cases at all. Especially this type of case.
“Des?”
I blink and look back at Detective Shaw. She had asked me something and I hadn’t been paying attention. “Sorry, what were you saying?” I try to sound innocent about it and not like I’d been caught checking out the hot guy in the room.
“Time of death?”
“Uh, 3am.” Body found at 5am by a morning jogger in the park, “That’s what it’s looking like. I’ll know more after I open him up.” I try to count how many hours I’ve been awake but my brain doesn’t want to do the math. It’s already been a long night and the thought of staying later makes my head ache. Sleep deprivation isn’t fun. Maybe I should have Tara do the autopsy.
“Right, M.E. on the scene said that it looked like an animal attack. Do you know what type yet?” Detective Thompson questions me.
“Uh, not yet. I sent out the report though so hopefully we’ll get more information on the bites and scratches we found on the victim pretty soon.”
“Great. So we could be dealing with anything from rabid dog to escaped lion.” Detective Thompson angrily grumbles out.
“Well maybe. We did find human DNA underneath the victim’s fingernails which is why you guys are here.” I sneak a peak back at Ray. Even though that doesn’t explain why he’s here.
Detective Shaw taps her chin thoughtfully, “Maybe he got into an altercation with somebody and that somebody had an attack dog or something.”
“Hmm, not bad.” Detective Thompson says as he wraps his head around the idea.
“We’ll know more of course after autopsy and labs.” I remind them hoping they’ll be satisfied enough to leave now. I don’t know why some cops like seeing the body in person and having me give them an oral report. My written word is just as good and the pictures will be much more in depth and revealing than anything they’d get from staring at a naked guy on a metal slab.
“I don’t suppose you’d have any revealing insights magic man?” Detective Thompson directs at Ray with full sarcasm.
Ray gives a sarcastic smile back, “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe he pissed off a dragon.” Detective Thompson laughs and I watch as Detective Shaw forces a smile, but I can tell she’s not happy with Ray’s response. He continues on though as if he hadn’t just said something ridiculous. “Even though I don’t think a dragon’s DNA would show up as human even while in human form.”
“Are you serious right now? We’re paying him for this crap?” Detective Thompson asks his partner who runs her fingers through her ginger hair and lets out an angry exhale.
Ray retorts glibly, “You’re technically not paying me at all for this case. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and Dana was so kind as to invite me along.”
“I’d appreciate it if you two would get along for five minutes.” Detective Shaw tries to settle them down before the argument can get more heated. She shares a look with me and shakes her head, “Honestly it’s like working with cats.” She reveals to me.
I grin and look back at the two men on opposite ends of the room. I can definitely picture Detective Thompson as the large, imposing tom cat trying to defend his territory while Ray would be the sly stray playing tricks on him and testing his boundaries.
“You know there is one thing I can think of…” Ray speaks up suddenly with a thoughtful expression.
“What?” I ask as the two detectives turn to him expecting him to give a more serious answer.
“Well, you know what last night was don’t you?” He asks clearly baiting them. What had been last night? I stare between the three of them as some unsaid knowledge seems to pass between them.
“What was last night?” I ask in confusion and feeling left out.
Detective Shaw quickly waves a hand in front of my face in a clear ‘Stop talking.’ motion while simultaneously pointing a finger at Ray, “Don’t you dare say it.” She orders him.
His smile broadens to reveal a neat row of white teeth and he laughs, “Last night was the full moon” he reveals, “which means that werewolves were out and about.”
There’s a moment of silence as this information sinks in before Detective Thompson’s gives a loud snort and mumbles, “What a load of bullshit.” He turns to leave and Detective Shaw gives one last annoyed look at Ray before following him out. The sound of her shoes tapping against the tiled floors fading as she walks farther away.
Ah, two down, one more to go. I glance over at Ray and try not to feel too shy. I’m in my examination room. This is my job. I shouldn’t feel so out of place just because there’s a hot guy standing a yard away from me. A really hot guy with really bright, blue eyes.
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