A/N:  Thanks for sticking with me for this long!  Third chapter already- I'm neglecting my current works.  (What are they?  Sorry-I don't think I'll be posting them.  Personal, ya know.)  Feel special. 

Needless to say, the fact that my writing's getting reviews is boosting my ego a few notches.  Not that I'm complaining…the more reviews, the faster chapters get finished and posted.  Now you have incentive!  Whee!  ^_^

I posted the disclaimers and claimers in the previous chapter.  If you can't live without them, then go ahead and drop dead.  Thbppt.

Cheers,
~Rumer

Autopsy Report: Chapter Three

A horrible noise screeched across the interstate.  It echoed off the cliff walls on either side of the road, making completely sure it was the only thing you could hear.  I tried to clamp my hands over my ears, but I had to drive.  Finally, I took action.

"Rook!  I will run this car into a bridge, I swear to God!  Will you PLEASE SHUT UP?!" I screamed at my colleague, who was sitting in the passenger seat.  Rook was trying (and failing) to sing along to Sting's "Desert Rose" that was playing on the radio. 

Rook stopped his howls and flashed me a goofy grin.  "You're just jealous."

I looked at him like he had lobsters crawling out of his ears.  "Jealous of singing like a horribly wounded animal who desperately needs to be put out of its misery?"  I was incredulous.  College intern or not, there was no way in hell I was gonna stand for his screeches.  No way in hell.

Rook shrugged, and slumped down in the white leather seat.  I heaved a sigh of relief.  It was comforting to know I wasn't going to go insane halfway to my destination.  Sadly, I couldn't tell what would happen when we got there.

We were on our way to the resort town of Silent Hill.  That's right; we were going right down to the seventh circle of Hell.  At least, that's what Cybil Bennett called it.  But she was deemed criminally insane, so that's not a very reliable source.  Interesting, yes.   Reliable, no.

Before Rook could get into the next song (some song by Ace of Base), I popped a CD in the player.  The grin on Rook's face turned to disgust.  I had put the Moulin Rouge soundtrack in, and by this point, "Lady Marmalade" was blasting over the speakers.  I grinned; Rook looked like he was about to throw up.  I switched the song to "Sparkling Diamonds" and began to relax.  We'd be at our destination in about ten minutes, and since I'd listened to Rook's howling for about ten minutes, it was only fair.  Before I could get back to my designated driver attitude, Rook asked the age-old question that had earned many kids the right to walk home:

"Are we there yet?"

***

"You didn't have to punch me, Dr. Devereaux…"

We stood in the lobby of Alchemilla Hospital, Silent Hill.  Rook was rubbing a slowly purpling spot on his jaw where I'd bopped him when he asked THE QUESTION.  Served him right, I thought. 

"I think it served you right."  A new voice said, a hint of amusement in her tone.

I turned slowly and saw a middle-aged, grinning Asian woman.  She was tall for her origins, with short-cut black hair like mine, black eyes, and a snappy skirt and blouse set under a pristine lab coat.  The name "Dr. M'ai Ling" was stenciled into a nametag on her lapel.

"I am Dr. M'ai Ling," she said, extending a hand.  I took it.

"I read," I said with a smile.  "I am Dr. Kira Devereaux, and this is my assistant, Rook Pawnton.  I'm the forensic pathologist over at Brahms.  Business has been picking up, as I'm sure you know, and to tell the truth, I'm just a little bit curious where it's all coming from."

Dr. Ling raised an eyebrow.  "Didn't curiosity kill the cat?"

I shrugged.  "Cats have nine lives.  I'm not too worried."

Dr. Ling nodded.  "Come with me."  She stalked off down the corridor, black pumps clacking the whole time.  Ah, so there's where the height came from.

Rook looked at me.  I nodded.  "Let's go."  We followed Dr. Ling through several winding corridors before ending up in the director's office.  Dr. Ling motioned us inside, and we went.  She followed, closing the door behind us with a snap.

The office was small, but very well organized.  The only furniture in the room was a highly polished oak desk that sat in the center of the room; a sturdy looking bookshelf stuffed with medical volumes and papers on a wall; and two chairs positioned strategically in front of the desk.  Dr. Ling seated herself behind the desk, and motioned for us to sit in the two chairs.  As we did, I saw the placard on the desk:

DR. M'AI LING
DIRECTOR OF ALCHEMILLA HOSPITAL

I raised an eyebrow.  "You're the new Director?" I asked casually.  Dr. Ling nodded.

"After Dr. Kaufmann was…relieved…I was designated for his position."  She looked extremely uncomfortable.  "However, it's fortunate you have come.  Now we do not have to pay shipping costs for your next assignment."

Rook looked pale.  "Assignment?"

Dr. Ling nodded.  "Yes.  We found another body."

I leaned forward in the chair and clasped my hands together.  "In the hospital?"

"No.  This one was found in a church.  Balkan Church, to be exact.  It's on the corner of Bloch and Bachman Streets.  She is in our morgue now, waiting to be shipped.  Thankfully, you have come to us, and relieved us of a horrible tax."  Dr. Ling managed a weak smile.  "You know how it is these days."

"Yes I do.  Who is she?"  I said, pressing the subject.  Dr. Ling shook her head.

"We do not know yet.  She was found burned to a crisp, very much like Dr. Kaufmann, except…"  she trailed off.

"What?"  Now Rook was curious.

"This woman looks like she was completely burned.  Every inch of skin.  Nothing untouched."  Dr. Ling spread her hands.  "We were going to send her to you to find out, but now you are here.  You can perform an autopsy in unfamiliar surroundings, am I right?"

I nodded.  "It's my job.  But get this: it won't be free.  I'm not doing anyone any favors.  I'm far from philanthropist, and I'm here on unpaid leave.  I came to find things out and relax, not to work.  Am I making myself clear?"

"Crystal.  We are more than ready to meet your fees."  Dr. Ling stood up.  "I am thinking you would like to see your new…project, am I right?"

Rook and I stood.  "We would indeed."

"Then follow me."  We left the office, trailing behind Dr. Ling like living shadows.

And we all walked down to the morgue.

~~~

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