The hospital morgue was located in the basement of the local hospital. Due to the high level of criminal activity, gang fights, traffic accidents, unhealthy lifestyles, and elderly seniors reaching their end time, there were a high percentage of mortality in the city population. Doubling the size of morgues and mortuaries was a standard in the big city.

Sergeant Leo and Constable McLamb would push open the heavy double doors. They felt an arctic chill hit their skin as they walked into the morgue. They held the doors open, to allow the designated family to follow them inside.

The husband walked in alone. The hall outside was empty, no one would be waiting for him. The second he entered the large morgue, he was hit with a violent chill and he kept patting his arms to warm up. Despite the chill, a cold sweat grew on his forehead, his eyes darting around at the different locker bodies he passed by. The steam from his breath kept puffing out clouds that would freeze in the air around him.

Constable McLamb heard the shuddering and turned to the husband, “Will you be alright, Mr. Tucker? Do you need to call anyone to be with you or?”

“N-no.” The husband shook his head, rubbing his arms to fight off the cold, “Neither m-my wife and I have any relatives in the city. N-no kids, s-since we’re always busy with work. Even if we have friends, n-none of them would be close enough to come here, you know...I mean...” He made a small gesture with his eyes looking around the morgue, at the body lockers.

McLamb’s jaw clenched for a brief moment, “Right. Well, if you need anything, please do not hesitate and ask for help. Alright sir?”

“Th—” The husband choked after breathing in cold air. “Thank you, officer. I will m...try to manage.”

It would take the group a couple of minutes to walk through the vast chamber, their feet wading through a thin layer of frosty mist spilled across the floor. Sergeant Leo would count the labels on each storage unit, until he spotted the one they were looking for. He and the Constable would stand flanking that unit, and they turn to the family member.