The Body Hunters

by Newcastle, Raven

  "What did you see?" She asked.

  “Your grandmother" He recalled. "We were in her kitchen. She was cooking and you two were making peanut butter cookies. You were just a kid. You had a school uniform and a My Little Pony backpack."

  "What else?" She pressed.

  "Things got all topsy-turvy then, we were in a hospital. Your grandmother was sick."

  Danny's eyes misted over, tears threatening to drop. She swiped at them with a finger.

  "Are you alright?" He asked as he cradled her face and wiped at a rogue tear with his thumb.

  "I'm fine." She laughed, despite the tears streaming down her face. "You've gotta forgive me. I'm usually not a crybaby like this, but sometimes I just miss her."

  "Nani, you've got nothing to be sorry about."

  Still clasping her chin, he moved closer, planting a soft but firm kiss on her lips. It happened so fast that she had to convince herself that it actually occurred.

  As if burned, he jumped out of his seat looking very uncomfortable and running a hand over his head. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

  Danny was equally stunned. "Don't worry about it. It's fine."

  "Yeah, but I shouldn't have." He stammered.

  "Stone, would you please sit down? I said its fine. No big deal."

  Still feeling awkward, he once again took the seat across from her, looking extremely guilty. Danny was feeling just a little guilty herself. As brief as it was she had to admit she didn't hate it.

  Chapter 13

  The weather in Dallas didn't exactly roll out the red carpet upon Danny's arrival. As soon as she stepped off the Bureau's private plane she was greeted by foreboding murky clouds clashing together in the afternoon sky. Miles away lightning stitched its way through the clouds like it was weaving a tapestry. The muggy hotness was a different breed than the arid heat in Phoenix, but she felt like she was backhome in New Orleans since the weather was very similar. Her clothes clung to her and she felt sticky and clammy like she had just run a country mile. You practically needed an oxygen tank to even breathe the air.

  Landing in Dallas finally, the tension between Danny and Aiden since the kiss on the plane was temporarily subsided. They both were focused on the mission they had to fulfill. He again procured his usual black Suburban for their travel needs. After checking into their hotel rooms, Danny freshened up with a shower and he made several calls to his contacts at the Dallas Field Office from his room.

  The word from Alejandro was that Lucius Johnson himself had flown into town only a few hours before and was now personally taking responsibility for the case. Now that the Bureau had discovered that they were dealing with a serial killer, Dallas was now ground zero as far as the investigation into the multiple homicides was concerned. A meeting was scheduled for the next morning that would include the Bureau and local law enforcement along with a press conference to alert the local media to recent developments in the case.

  During their flight Danny had asked to see Sherry's remains in the hopes that maybe Aiden could get a reading using his abilities. After a call to the coroner's office, he learned that they were pretty much out of luck. Her remains were now in the custody of the mortuary since the Cavender’s had decided it was time to finally bury their little girl. Her private memorial was to be held the next day for only close friends and family. Knowing that time was of the essence, the Everlasting Peace Funeral Home advised that they would not allow access to Sherry unless the Cavender’s signed off on it. Their first stop had to be the Cavender’s home.

  Danny was very nervous about the meeting. As a detective in New Orleans, the worst part of the job was meeting the victim's family. As a cop, and later as a psychic investigator, she had learned to put some distance between herself and the victims so that she could be objective and solve the case without getting her emotions tied in knots. However, introducing herself to mournful loved ones could take away her detachment as far as the case was concerned.

  Finally driving away, the two remained silent. The only sound in the vehicle's cabin was the sexy female voice of the navigation system. Danny's expression was one full of apprehension. Agent Stone had never witnessed her so silent for such a long period of time. Something in him knew now was not the time for his usual wisecracks or flirtatious banter. He instead reached out to pat her on the knee supportively.

  Pulling up to the Senator's estate, he pushed the buzzer at the gated entrance to the property. A disembodied voice spoke through the speakers.

  "Yes, who is this?" He presumed it was one of the Cavender's staff.

  "I'm Agent Stone ma'am of the FBI, and I have a consultant Ms. Labouleaux with me. We'd like to talk to Senator and Mrs. Cavender if we can."

  "They are very busy with funeral preparations, but I think they may be able to squeeze you in. I'll buzz you right in." There was a light buzz and the iron gates of the estate opened.

  The South fork Ranch of the prime time soap opera Dallas immediately sprang to Danny's mind. It had been one of grand mere’s favorite television shows, and she had watched the reruns of the series religiously for years. The Cavender estate was comprised of a massive main house with three smaller houses serving as the living quarters for their staff. The houses were situated on several hundred sprawling acres of land. In the distance she could see a stable and fenced in area where horses were frolicking outside in the sun.

  It was a well-known fact Senator Cavender's fortune was inherited from his great-grandfather who started out as a young railroad tycoon. The Cavender families eventually expanded their fortune into drilling for oil in the middle of the twentieth century and often were dubbed the Kennedys of Dallas. In his thirties the future Senator decided to give something back to his community by running for public office and had been in the political arena for nearly twenty years now. Also like the Kennedy family, the Cavender’s had learned about heartache and tragedy with the murder of their daughter.

  The pair made their way up the stairs to the main house, and in moments they were inside sitting on a very uncomfortable Queen Anne sofa. The house maid offered them cold ice water from a tray.

  "Um, thanks." Aiden took his glass feeling very strange that someone was serving him refreshments outside of a restaurant. He was deeply grateful for the coolness since the temperature in Dallas was oppressive and muggy.

  Danny helped herself to the icy cool liquid that was also offered to her. She held the glass nervously between her hands almost as if she was deathly afraid of dropping it.

  The Senator and Mrs. Cavender entered the drawing room and Agent Stone stood up to greet them.

  Sherry's addiction and murder had obviously weighed heavily on her parents. Instead of the robust personification of a Washington fat cat that appeared on Capitol Hill, the senator had dropped fifty pounds and had permanent worry lines etched under his eyes. Mrs. Cavender, though radiating to Aiden and Danny, her practiced former beauty queen smile, couldn't disguise her red eyes or the pinkish tint to her nose. The woman had been weeping only minutes before.

  "I'm sorry to be disturbing you like this." Agent Stone said as he offered his hand to the senator. "I know you're busy with funeral preparations."

  "No need to be sorry agent. Good to see you again. I understand you have brought to light several leads in my daughter's death that the Dallas Police Department hasn't been able to do in a month of Sundays. It's ironic how I can get Washington to invest billions in upgrading our local police departments to help solve crime, but when I need them I can't depend on them to solve my daughter's murder." the senator scoffed indignantly.

  The senator and his wife sat across from their guests in matching armchairs to the sofa.

  "Actually Senator, it was due to our consultant Ms. Labouleaux here. She has been an invaluable source to us in your daughter's case. She definitely deserves all the credit."

  Danny reached out to shake Mrs. Cavender's proffered hand. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice during this trying tim
e. My condolences go to you both."

  Danny's slight accent didn't go unnoticed and Mrs. Cavender spoke up. "Ms. Labouleaux?"

  “Danny is fine."

  "Danny it is then." Mrs. Cavender nodded. "Labouleaux is your last name you say? You wouldn't by any chance be from Louisiana?"

  Danny sensed an opportunity to soften the Cavender’s on what they may consider a gruesome request regarding their daughter's remains. "Why yes I am. Both of my parents were from New Orleans and I grew up there."

  "Well my family hails from Baton Rouge. Now, the senator is wantto believe that I am Texas bred through and through, but I do have my fond memories of my Louisiana youth." Mrs. Cavender said.

  Danielle could tell with her manner of speaking this woman came from old money and no doubt old manners. Knowing this she took it upon herself to broach the delicate subject, hoping to win over the southern lady.

  “Mrs. Cavender, I do hope you do not see us as intruders into your grieving, but I do humbly have a delicate request. As Agent Stone has told you, I have been consulting with the gentlemen of the FBI concerning your daughter's murder. I understand her earthly remains are now at the funeral home. We, Agent Stone and I, are requesting to have a private viewing before tomorrow's memorial service. We hope to gain a little more insight with one last visit. Of course we will be brief, and you have my word, we will be utterly respectful.”

  Danny pinned Aiden with a look that told him under no circumstances was he to open his mouth.

  "Darling, I don't see a problem with that at all." Mrs. Cavender turned to her husband. "What do you think dear?"

  Senator Cavender looked to his wife and then to Danny. Her heart went out to him. Though he was trying to be the picture of strength for his wife, she could see the ragged edges of anguish in his eyes.

  "What type of consulting did you say you did Ms. Labouleaux?" The senator asked.

  "I do forensic research mostly. I gather intelligence from federal and local agencies and look for patterns." Her answer was well practiced from working with the Bureau on cases like this in the past.

  "What do you think to gain by looking at her remains again, Agent Stone?" The senator now was staring directly at the agent like a father questioning his daughter's date for the first time.

  He looked at Danny quickly and fumbling a bit found his words. "Um, to be honest, I'm not sure, but there may be something that didn't stand out before, something that was hidden that maybe only Ms. Labouleaux is able to detect. And as Ms. Labouleaux explained, we will be brief and respectful you have the Bureau's word on it."

  Mrs. Cavender smiled at Aiden but returned her gaze to Danny. "Ms. Labouleaux, I see you're wearing an engagement ring. Congratulations! Is it this young man sitting here with us?"

  "Oh my, no, we are working partners only!" Danny was now turning all shades of beet red.

  "Oh dear, I am so sorry, my mistake! But you will make a very stunning bride won't she Agent Stone?" Mrs. Cavender winked at him.

  "Um,…absolutely!" Aiden turned his head slightly away feeling immense awkwardness.

  "Well that being said, I think it will do no harm in the Agent and Ms. Labouleaux visiting our Sherry." Mrs. Cavender grabbed her husband's hand and he kissed it.

  "If you agree, then I agree my dear. Agent Stone, I will allow a half hour only. I'll call the funeral home and let them know you are on your way." With that they all stood up to say goodbye. Senator Cavender took Danielle's arm and walked her to the door as if he was walking his beloved daughter down the aisle to meet her groom. Mrs. Cavender pulled Agent Stone back.

  "I have to show you something Agent Stone, please stay a moment. I'll be right back." Mrs. Cavender left him standing in the great hallway while Danny was charming the Senator outside. A moment later the senator's wife returned.

  "I didn't want to upset her, but take a look at this picture of my Sherry in this article a few years back. A magazine was doing an article about a clinic for street people and my husband's assistant found it on the web. We couldn't confirm whether it was my Sherry at first, but much later we found out it was her. I want you to look at the ring on her finger. It looks a lot like the one that your consultant is wearing. What are the odds? The diamond setting is exactly the same and it looks like the design would be one of a kind. Not mass produced."

  Aiden looked at the grainy fading picture printed from the computer. "Do you mind if I hang on to this?"

  "We have other copies, take that one, I'm sure it's nothing but it just stood out to me. I'm a little of a connoisseur when it comes to jewelry. I'm sure the one Sherry is wearing is faux diamond anyway."

  "Thank you Mrs. Cavender. I'm sure your right. I'll look into it anyway." He folded the photo and deposited it in his back pocket.

  The senator's wife tilted her head, indicating Danny who was just outside. "Take care of her Agent; there is something very special about her. Are you sure it's not you two engaged?" Mrs. Cavender smiled with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

  "Ah no, ma'am I'm pretty sure she despises the ground I walk on! And besides, it's complicated." He shrugged, feeling a little timid about discussing himself and Danny.

  Mrs. Cavender squared her shoulders and looked the agent right in the eye. "Let me tell you something, Agent. Life is short. If you want that young lady, which I'm pretty sure you do, you go for it."

  Left with some serious words to ponder, he bid his adieu walking out to greet the senator and Danny.

  "What was all that about?" Danny asked once back in the big SUV.

  "The Senator's wife has the hots for me!" He smirked.

  "You're such an ass!"

  "I told you at least once a day in the afternoon!" He turned out of the gate and onto the road headed towards the funeral home. She smacked him hard in the arm.

  "You really, really are an ass!"

  Thankfully, the drive to the funeral home was a short one. As he wheeled the Suburban into the parking lot, the funeral home director came out to greet them. He peered curiously at the couple within the black SUV.

  “Agent Stone, Miss…I'm sorry I really didn't understand your last name when Senator Cavender called. Pardon me ma'am." He looked younger and more handsome than Danny expected for the title of funeral director. She had anticipated an octogenarian in a powder blue tux with his hair slicked back in a bad comb over.

  "Danielle Labouleaux" She rounded to the front of the SUV meeting the director. "Just call me Danny and you are?"

  "Oh, my manners, Liam Smith, I am the funeral home director. Sorry." Liam shook both of their hands. Despite the Texas heat, Danny found his hands to be cold like he had just left the morgue himself. "Follow me. I have Ms. Cavender in a private room for you."

  They both followed behind Liam, barely able to keep up. For a funeral home director he seemed to walk awfully fast, Danny pondered. Aiden’s great strides allowed him to reach the doors first, and he seemed to take great pride in being able to hold it open for her.

  Luckily there were no other funerals going on that day. The mood was somber and the decor typical of a funeral home built in the 1950s. Old fashioned furniture and beaded table lamps, lots of gold gilded framed paintings of pastoral scenes and children and dark wood end tables filled the space. An undying stream of low volume pipe organ music came from the overhead speakers. The wallpaper reminded Danny of something you would see in houses in the early 1900s, with the antiqued stripes and flowers motif. The smell is what struck her the most, the stench of death and embalming fluid covered over by the overpowering smell of fresh cut flower arrangements and casket sprays. The phrase "smells like a funeral home" was never more apropos.

  The large standing round yellow and white floral arrangement said it all 'BELOVED DAUGHTER' written in gold on a large white ribbon draped across. On seeing the large arrangement it all came back to her that for the first time she would now be meeting her ghost face to face so to speak. She tried to mask the fact that her knees wanted to buckle.

  She
had seen dead bodies before especially with hurricane Katrina victims. She had witnessed the bloated and decaying bodies of poor souls that could not or would not leave, the latter not believing the hurricane was going to do that much damage or thinking the unthinkable that the levee would ever break. Those spirits only cried out to be found. Sherry was a different matter. She was crying out for justice.

  Liam Smith led them down a hall that was reminiscent of a horror movie set and opened the door to a small work room. Sherry's casket lay resting on a rolling catafalque. The Cavender’s had chosen a simple white casket with white and yellow roses on the sides and lid along with golden handles.

  Liam spoke up. "You are aware that this obviously will be a closed casket. She is, after all, nothing more than bones now? The Cavender’s insisted that she be placed in a casket. They wanted her buried in the family plot. Now Ms. Labouleaux I have to warn you, it's very gruesome. Are you sure you want to see her remains?"

  Danny resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She couldn't believe he had such a chauvinist attitude. Texas men, she thought. "Yes director, thank you for the warning, but I would be more worried about Agent Stone here passing out on you."

  Aiden chuckled under his breath, knowing the director's sexist comments were aggravating the hell out of her.

  "Don't worry Mr. Smith; if she faints I'll catch her." He protectively lowered his hand to the small of her back like it was something he had rehearsed over and over again. Danny shot him a warning look which he chose to ignore.

  "OK, if you are both ready I will open the lid and give you both some privacy to do what you are going to do. I insist that if you are going to manhandle any part of her skeleton please use these gloves." Liam handed them a box of purple surgical latex gloves. "Please be respectful and place the part back exactly where it goes, I will be checking afterward." Liam Smith took his duties very seriously and gave them a very stern warning look.