X.

July 20, 2012

"Why are we here, Shawn? I plan to sleep tonight. You know I have a route I need to finish tomorrow," scolds Gus, glaring at his best friend. "You know, my actual daytime job?"

"Relax, Woody is here too. He's at work and he didn't sleep."

Somehow not looking bleary-eyed or on the verge of sleep, Woody pops a few pretzels into his mouth. He raises a finger at Shawn, as if to say hold that thought. After swallowing down the pretzels, he explains, "I actually slept since 5:30 to midnight. Detective Mosby here called me." He holds out a few pretzels to Gus, who gingerly takes one and snacks.

Gus nods in appreciation. "This is pretty good. Salty and sweet."

"I know, right?" Woody smiles.

Shawn looks at the partially opened drawer. It almost appears to be. . . With long strides, Shawn goes off and pulls the drawer. Blanket, pillow, and a teddy bear. "Woody, you sleep in here?" he rhetorically asks, a touch incredulous in his voice.

"It is actually very comfortable. You should try it."

Almost frantically wiping down his hands on his pants, Gus eyes the coroner with concern and thinly disguised horror. "I think I'm good, Woody. Thanks."

Woody slips on blue gloves with a defining snap and then pulls the sheet off the pale, bloodless face of Alyssa Swanson, once known as Alyssa Sanchez. "Toxicology reports came back thirty minutes ago."

"That fast?" wonders Gus. "We always had to wait a lot longer."

"Kate Jones probably listed it as a priority test. Plus, it looks like it has the federal lab seal on it," says Sam, squinting at Woody's computer screen. He pulls away. "Yep, I'm right."

"Good eye, Detective Mosby." Woody grins. He scrolls down the report, mouse clicking away. "They analyzed her blood, hair, and such to see what was in there. She had a high dosage of heroin right before she died. That is what killed her."

"How high?"

"About 12 grams," replied Woody, scrolling through the report. "It doesn't help that she has benzodiazepines and alcohol and some ketamine in her system."

"Roommate said they went clubbing the night before," points out Sam, pacing back and forth. "That is definitely where she might have picked up alcohol and ketamine. Was she prescribed benzodiazepines?"

"Not sure, but report did say the amount present was three times above the recommended dosage of 10 milligrams," says Woody. "I'll forward the full report to you."

"Did you get the report on Kristy?"

Woody winks. "Arrived earlier today." He pulls out a clipboard from the table behind him. "Kristy Sanchez. In good health before she died. Approximately 12.1 grams in her system. A derivative of benzodiazepine called Valium was in her system, recently taken prior to her death. Very high amount."

"Just that?" questions Sam.

"What is this benzene-pine thing for?"

"Benzodiazepine," corrects Gus.

"I heard it both ways."

"No, you didn't." A pause. "Benzodiazepine has several usages. Alcohol withdrawal treatment, anxiety treatment, seizures. It is prescription drug. Can't be found over the counter," Gus informs, clearly tapping into his in-depth and great pharmaceutical knowledge. "I heard that Central Coast Pharmaceuticals are working on making a genetic version of it."

"Street name is Benzo, Shawn," murmurs Sam, briefly stopping his pacing. He snaps his fingers a few times in thought. "It's a drug some addicts like to abuse and overdose on."

Shawn opens his mouth when a lightbulb finally goes off in his head. Benzo. He has heard that a few times in the past. "Ohh. I think I heard of that." He thinks back to the crime scene. "Both victims don't use illicit drugs, right? They're clean."

"Other than the ketamine found in Alyssa, but could be explained that someone slipped something into her drink. Alyssa's liver is still in good condition, and Kristy doesn't show any sign of any drug use." A pause. "I examined the contents of their stomach. They both ate food that was mixed in with crushed Valium pills. The pills were 10 milligrams, judging from the dye found."

"We can reasonably conclude neither victims were heroin users. Besides, 12 grams? What is the heroin like, Woody?" Sam resumes his pacing.

"High quality. About seventy percent heroin mixed in with sugar, according to analysis of the syringe." Woody clicks around his computer.

"Overkill," commentator Sam, shaking his head. "Benzo mixed with heroin. The killer really wanted these two to die."

Shawn thinks back to the alley. He remembers the drug addicts huddling around each other. A few of them are holding twenties. "I sense something!" He reaches for his temple. "Both Kristy and Alyssa took in the same dosage and value of heroin. 12.1 grams. Two thousand and four hundred dollars worth." He makes one further jump. "And the heroin comes from the Eagle Syndicate."