by Alec Peche
Rosso, Cavallaro, and some other men walked down the hillside toward them carrying toolboxes.
Jill pointed to the two pieces of evidence and explained what they meant and how they might be used. Sara smiled as she now understood Jill's comment about the Juventus shirt and Russia which had made no sense to her earlier on the phone. The Italian crime scene technicians photographed the items and collected them for evidence.
“It's probably all in my imagination, but I swear that cloth smells sweet which is evidence of chloroform. However it's a liquid that quickly evaporates when it comes into contact with air, so I know that the smell is actually not there. However, whoever held it over Randy Chen's face should have left their DNA on the cloth, so hopefully your technicians can find a DNA match.”
“We'll also do a DNA match between Mr. Chen and this Green Bay pin to confirm that it was his. We'll do another search of this area just to confirm that there is no more evidence here,” Sara said.
“I wouldn't necessarily expect to find additional evidence. He had a bloodless death. I'm most hopeful about any DNA you find on the cloth.”
Sara nodded and Jill leaned in and held out her hand, “We'll be leaving Sicily tomorrow, so this might be the last time I see you. I want to thank you again for getting the help we needed here in time yesterday. You saved our lives.”
Sara returned the handshake and replied, “You are welcome. Save travels, Dr. Quint.”
Jill and Nathan began the walk back toward their car. As they passed Lake Garcia, they heard the helicopter lift off. She had no idea where the crime lab was located on Sicily, if indeed there was one on the island. Perhaps all of their evidence went to Rome or another central location.
Epilogue
Three weeks later, Jill received an email from Sara Cavallaro which wrapped up the case. DNA evidence from the cloth and pin matched the man that Nathan had kicked in the head. Fortunately, he recovered his mental capacity, and a confession was obtained in time. The pin also had DNA evidence from both Randy Chen and his murderer.
The Financial Police made a second raid on Salvatore Denaro's property and discovered the underground lab with the help of trained dogs. The mafia boss and his Russian doctor were arrested and charged with a variety of crimes. Nine people were found in dire conditions apparently addicted to the new drug that Denaro was making. They had been moved to treatment facilities elsewhere in Italy. The Italian police were worried that someone else would come along and make this new powerful drug so they torched all of the plants they could find. At this point, the only known sample of the plant was sitting in Randy Chen's corporate greenhouse, but that was an American problem if the plant was ever grown outside Mr. Chen's business.
Jill had a final call with Melissa Chen to wrap up the case. She was satisfied that her father's murderer had been caught and charged by the Italian justice system. She also dropped a postscript that Mrs. Carlucci had settled into Green Bay and the company. She was a real asset and would help fulfill Mr. Chen's dream of selling a skin cancer prevention lotion to the world.
Angela was arriving in a few days strictly to work with Nathan on a few photography jobs. He wanted dedicated time with his new photographer to make sure she understood his creative process and for them to work together on the Sicilian winery job. Then Jill would see her friends in a few weeks in Canada where they were taking a leisurely vacation close to home.
Jill had arrived back in California with an order of Nero d'Avola vines to be planted on her land. After the vines were in the ground for five years, she would create her first vintage of the new grape. In their own ways, Jill and Randy were alike, both leaving Sicily with plants to further their business interests. In Jill's case, she'd make bottles of wonderful wine, while Randy would never live to see his future skin cancer prevention lotion.
The End
About the Author
About the author….
I reside in Northern California with my rescue dog and cat. I love to travel, play sports, read, and drink wine and beer. I enjoy the diversity of the world and I'm always watching people and events for story ideas. In a prior life, I worked in healthcare which powers my medical knowledge for Dr. Quint.
If you would like to sign up for my monthly blog and announcement of new books, please follow this link: https://www.alecpeche.com
Also by Alec Peche
Jill Quint, MD Forensic Pathologist Series
Vials
Chocolate Diamonds
A Breck Death
Death On A Green
A Taxing Death
Murder At The Podium
Castle Killing
Crescent City Murder
Sicilian Murder
Damian Green Series
Red Rock Island
Willow Glen Heist
The Girl From Diana Park