by P. Thompson
“I’ll run it by the big wigs and see what can be done. This ties in with our case against Diego and Raymond so I can’t see any problem, but you ever know.”
When she got up to leave I asked her if you didn’t want to stay the night and make that trip in the morning and she gladly accepted. The guest room was made up fresh and I gave her clean towels and warned her Ming might come in the night to visit if she left her door open.
I was tired and so was she so we turned in for the night. Then the rooster started in again and I wanted to ring his neck.
Chapter Eleven
I got to the office early before anyone else came in. There was just me and Loraine the third shift girl had gone home. The morning went slow till around noon when a call came in from a hunter that he had found a body. Neither Bubba nor Bo was anywhere to be found so I call on Lyle and Dean to back me up. I told the sheriff where I was headed and Loraine called CSI and Doc Simpson to give them direction. I slipped on my vest and clipped on the body cam and headed for the Jeep. Lyle and Dean were just pulling up as I got to the out front.
“Follow me; I think I know where this is at.” So we headed out to Horse Shoe Bend Road. When we got there a hunter was standing in the roadway waiting and looking a bit shook up.
“You’ll need to go by foot or horse back to get to where I found her.” He said.
I got on the horn and call Blake to bring the horses and he said he had just shod them and he would saddle them up and be on his way.
In the meantime I got my riding gear out of the Jeep slipped out of my dress pants and into a pair of jeans. While I was doing all that Lyle was getting the info from the hunter. Seems he was out turkey hunting in the early morning mist and came across a young female, or what was left of her, deep in the woods. Scared him half to death and his cellphone wasn’t getting a signal back in the woods. He had to hike it out to the road to be able to call. He held up his compass to show this was how he found his way out here. According to him, he had been an Eagle Scout and knew his way around these parts.
It took Blake about an hour to get there and the sheriff beat him by thirty minutes ready to ride. I mounted my horse and the sheriff pulled our hunter up onto the saddle, then we entered the woods at a slow pace. When we reached the crime scene, the hunter and sheriff dismounted. I stayed in the saddle having a look around from a high vantage point. Murder was ugly, never pretty, but this was unbelievable. Her body was twisted in all directions as a broken rag doll would have been. Her face was buried in the fall, wet leaves and her red hair was covering her face. The animals and time, just being here, had taken its toll on the body. Only Doc was going to make out what happened to her and who she was. I had my ideas that it was Tia Cortez, but even that was going to be hard to get an ID as she was an illegal.
The sheriff came back and asked the hunter if he needed a way out of here and he said that he came from the other way.
“Lyle has all his info, Sheriff, if we need him.” I told him.
“Fine, make your way out of here and I wouldn’t be talking to anyone about what you found. If this is who I think she is, you might be in danger as well.”
The hunter, James Lovvoran, nodded and headed the other direction.
The sheriff mounted his horse and said, “From up here did you observe anything of interest?”
“Too long ago to find much and too much rain. CSI and maybe Tank and his dog, Butch, can come up with something. Doc’s not going to like trekking back in here with snakes and tick and what all. We best fix up and Indian carry on the back of one of the horses to carry out the body. I’ll carry one of the techs if you carry Doc.” I told him.
“Sounds like a safe plan. See if Blake can make an Indian carrier and I’ll fill in Doc and company.”
We rode out of the damp misty woods onto the road. Already the press was on top of us wanting to know whose body was found in the woods. I left that to the sheriff and found Blake. He had just what we need to make our carrier and we set to work on it. Doc came over to us to see how it was coming and find out what all I had seen. I explained her condition from where I was on the horse and what we had planned to do to get her out. He thought that was an excellent idea. Bo and Bubba arrived on horseback. They had been out to Ralph’s ranch and saddle up a couple of his mares. Blake and I explained what we were about to do and Bubba being a good old boy got right into helping put the carrier together.
Max and his team arrived and from the looks on their faces they were none too happy at the prospects of trapping through the woods for a quarter of a mile. I told Max he could have my horse as I wasn’t going back in again and I didn’t think the sheriff was either.
By the time Doc got her body bagged and out of the woods the CSI team was ready to go in. I wished them luck and crawled into the Jeep and headed back to the office. Blake stayed with the horses until their use was over as did Bubba and Bo. Lyle and Dean stayed for bit then got a call so they left also. Part of the media stayed there and some followed Doc back to the morgue. The morgue being in the basement of the hospital didn’t allow them entrance so they had to remain outside. I, on the other hand, was allowed into the morgue and welcomed by Doc and his staff. I didn’t suit up, but stayed on the other side of the glass and watched him work. His staff was just Billy and his girl, Stacy, who took care of the front office. Billy had been with Doc for as long as Doc had been the local GP and Medical Examiner. Billy was Doc’s nurse at the office and his right hand man in the morgue.
Doc took his time removing her clothing and putting her person effects in an evidence bag. Once all was removed, her hair was combed and all the debris collected, and that too was put in an evidence bag. Her body was washed, what was left of it, and his exam began. Billy took pictures as they went and sent them to the computer where Stacy pulled them up for me to see. The one side of her face was in still pretty good shape and Stacy ran me off a picture at my request. With that I waved to Doc and Billy and started out the door when my cellphone rang Sweet Georgia Brown that would the Sheriff’s calling me.
“Jordan here,” I answered.
“Max radioed in to say they found her green card and wallet not far from the body.”
“I was told she was an illegal and if that the case she wouldn’t have a green card unless it’s a fake.”
“It has her picture and all and according to Max it is Tia Cortez. Just bringing you up to date.”
“I’ve got a picture here of the girl, I’m going to run it by Mrs. Nelson’s house and see if this is really Tia or not. Something doesn’t smell right.”
“Okay, keep me in the loop.” And he hung up.
I went back by the office and left my body cam and pick up another one so Loraine could download what was on mine. Drove to Mrs. Nelson home knocked on her door. She came right away carrying a shot gun and asked who if was.
“It’s Detective Jordan from the sheriff’s department.” I called to her.
“Thank God you’re here.” She said
“Why, what’s going on?” I asked her.
“I’ve had threats on my life and a bloody chicken was hanging on my door when I went to get my morning paper.” She exclaimed. “I need protection from that bunch. Even my little dog has been threatened.”
“Do you have a relative you can go stay with for a bit? We’re getting closer every day to getting these guys.”
“My sister lives in the Boro, I’ve already called and asked if I can come for visit. So I’ve pack up some stuff to leave just now.”
“I’ll stay with you and then I’ll follow you to the county line just to make sure you’re okay.”
“Thank you ever so much.” And she went back to packing.
I called the sheriff and told him what was up and that I would follow her to the county line.
“I’ll call them and have then meet you in Eagleville and take her from there. You go straight up the highway and no back roads, you got that?”
“Got it sir.” I replied.
Before we left I showed her the picture of the body. She confirmed my thought that this was not Tia Cortez. I passed that info on to the sheriff and he said he would tell Doc to see if he could get finger prints from the body.
I followed her to Eagleville and turned her over to the sheriff’s department there and then returned back to the office.
******
Loraine told me the prelim was in on the girl and I read it over. Nothing new here so I handed it back to her.
“I’ve been going through Missing Person’s and I may have found your girl.”
“That’s great, Loraine.”
She handed me the file and I read through it and noted the picture. It looked somewhat like my picture I had but this picture was of a younger girl.
“I believe they said it was the only picture they had of her. She left home with no word almost 3 years ago. When I called to talk with her mother she said even though she had not seen her daughter there was word from others who had seen her around town and with some Hispanic guys. Her name is Gloria Garcia and this is her mom’s new address. Still has the same phone number, but she moved in March to take care of her mother. She’s hoping you can give her some information, soon.”
“I’ll call her and see if she might have a hair brush that belonged to the girl. That would give Kenny a leg up on getting her identified. The girl at the scene had red hair like Tia, but this picture shows her hair as dark. Wonder if they dyed her hair or if she changed the color herself.”
I called the number that Loraine had given me and made arrangements to meet with her that evening. I told her I needed a hairbrush and she said she had everything that was Gloria’s in the storage warehouse along with her other stuff. She would go and get it right away.
With that it was long after lunch time and I decided to go to Mickey D’s for lunch. I asked Loraine if she wanted anything and she just wanted an ice cream of some kind, it didn’t matter what flavor. So on the way back I stopped in the Dairy Queen and got her a good Blizzard of Cookie and Cream. Then off to Star Buck for a shot of Joe.
Once back at the office I sat down with my coffee to look at my notes. Going over the last weeks’ worth of messages, notes and photos my head was spinning.
I picked up the phone and called Tony to find out what time the wedding was to take place.
“Hey girl, I’m glad you called. Melonie told me to let you know that tomorrow night was rehearsal and a dinner here on the ranch, it’s at seven o’clock.”
That’s good to know, but tell me what time the wedding was on Saturday. I don’t want to be late.” I laughed.
“We planned on a one o’clock wedding in hopes it won’t be too cold on the back deck. You need to be here no later than noon so you can help her with her stuff and all.”
“If all goes well in the next few hours. I hope we all can be there at least for the wedding part anyway. A hunter discovered a body back in the woods this morning.”
“We heard about on the news. What can you tell me?”
“You know I can’t tell you squat, no need to ask”
He laughed and said, “You’re a kill joy, you know that?”
I hung up and went back to my notes.
The rest of the day passed without any more on the case. When Cindy came on I told her I was off to see Mrs. Garcia and she said Loraine had filled her in.
******
I arrived at Mrs. Garcia’s mother home right at dinner hour and I apologized for interrupting. Mrs. Garcia waved me to the table and said. “I fixed extra because I knew you were coming, please, sit down. This is my mother, Carla Rodriguez.” I shook her mother’s hand and told her I was glad to meet her and sat where Mrs. Garcia told me to sit. She brought out a roasted chicken with Spanish yellow rice and a garden vegetable salad with all the fixings. We talked about nothing in particular through dinner and I helped her with the dishes, even though she said not to. When all was finished, we had coffee in the living room. It was a small house, but a warm and fuzzy feeling about it said home. Carla took up her knitting from a smallish chair that was just right for her small body frame. She was about four feet ten inches in her socking feet. Mrs. Garcia wasn’t much bigger than her mother. Both women were on the plump side, but not fat. I learned that Mrs. Garcia was a teacher. She helped new arrivals learn English, mostly in the evening as her students all worked at the chicken plant during the day.
“Mrs. Garcia I want to thank you for such a wonderful meal, it was delicious. One of my partners is from Cuba and his mother often has me over, I’ve learned to love Latin food. Being a country girl all my life we ate different from the spicy foods that I know and love today.”
“You are quite welcome. I love to cook, but with just mother and me I don’t always fix a full meal anymore, it’s just too much work.” She said. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a zipper bag with Gloria’s hair brush in it. She handed it to me very carefully as though she didn’t want to let it go.
I took the picture from my pocket and before I gave it to her I told her, “This is a picture of a young girl who was murdered and her body was left in the woods. It’s not an easy picture to look at I just wanted to warn you. It may not be Gloria, but if it is, know that I’m here for you and for her. That I will do everything in my power to bring whoever did this to justice.” With that I handed her the picture.
There was a gasp and she crossed herself. I came to her and held her till she stop shaking and sobbing. I looked her in her eyes and said, “Is this Gloria?”
She nodded a yes to me and looked at the picture again. She spoke in Spanish to her mother at that point and the mother laid her knitting down and crossed herself also.
“Where is my baby at now?” She wanted to know.
“The Medical Examiner has her doing an autopsy at this time. I’ll let you know when you can come and give and in person ID.”
“When can I bury her? I have to let Father Salazar know right away, tonight about this. He will be so upset.”
“Would you like me to do that for you?” I asked.
“No, this is for me to do for my Gloria. I need the comfort of my priest more than anything.”
“Would you like me to drive you over to the church?”
“No, I will call him and he’ll come to me and mother. He knows I can’t leave her for very long.”
“Okay then, I’ll leave you to call Father Salazar and know I’m on top of this and whoever has done this we will get them.”
With that I left and headed for home to a hot shower and glass of wine, if Lonnie had left me any that was.
******
Friday brought a sunny day and I prayed that tomorrow would be the same for the wedding. I fed Ming and headed out the door ready for whatever the day was to bring.
Loraine looked up when I came through the wooden doors and said, “Sheriff wants to see you as soon as you got in.”
“Okay, do you know what this is about?” I asked her.
“Not a clue, but he’s in a good mood if that helps.”
I knocked on his door and he yelled, “Come on in.”
I stepped inside the sanctuary of his office and noticed there was no haze of cigar of cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
“You wanted to see me, sir?” I asked him.
“You’re not keeping me in the loop on this case, Jenny. I got a call from Father Salazar late last night about Gloria Garcia being the girl in the woods. He was surprised I didn’t already know.”
“Sorry, it was late when I left Mrs. Garcia and I didn’t want to call you that late. I guess Father Salazar had no such thought.” I said smartly back at him.
“Jenny, you know it’s never too late to keep me up to date on a case. I’ve read the prelim that Doc sent over he said the rest would be back today or tomorrow.”
“I have Gloria’s hair brush ready to go to Kenny so he can check it out. I know we know who it is, but there may be other things that brush can tell us. So I’ll run tha
t over to Kenny now.”
He waved me out of the office and I was glad to go. I know better than to not call him the minute I have something like this, but I was bone tired and I just figured it could wait till morning.
“So what was that all about?” Loraine asked.
“Got my butt chewed out for not calling him last night to tell him it was the Garcia girl we found in the woods.”
“That’ll teach you to think you’re not going to wake him and that it will keep till morning. By now you should know better.” She said laughing at me.
Bo came in the door about that time carrying a bag of doughnuts, “Hey, what’s so funny you two?”
“It’s not you two it’s just Loraine. I got chewed out over not informing sheriff about the ID on the Garcia girl.”
“Oh that’s a big ‘no, no’ girl. You should know that by now.”
With that I grabbed a doughnut from his bag and stalked out the wooden doors, slamming them as I left.
Once in the Jeep I settled down and ate the doughnut while I was driving to Kenny’s lab. Once there I licked the last of the sugar off my fingers and headed for the lab.
“Hey Kenny, I’ve something for you.” I produced the zipper bag that Mrs. Garcia had given me and turned it over to him.
“Is that Gloria Garcia’s hair brush?” He asked me.
“Yes, I picked it up last night and don’t you give me any grief about not getting it here last night or calling you about it.”
“Whoa, sounds like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” He said while taking the zipper bag from me.
“No, just didn’t tell the sheriff I had an ID last night and Father Salazar called him at home. Of course he didn’t know anything about it and was embarrassed. So I got a good chewing out first thing this morning.”