HAVEN, chapter five

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MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE 9:30 AM

"The DNA found in and on Ashley Taylor doesn't match this sample," the ME, a lady named Holly Michaels, told them. Elliot looked at Olivia. "So that clears Cole," he said, his voice expressing relief.

"Cole is cleared of the rape," Michaels started, "but Ashley has been molested before. I think the rape occurred at least twenty-four hours before her murder, when she was still in the house. She shows signs of being sexually molested previously, also. I think that factor is just recurring."

"So he's not cleared for the murder?" Olivia confirmed. "No. The type of DNA I have done so far is simply Root DNA. It's not confirmative. With the information I have, Cole could very well have killed Ashley. However, I still need more exclusive results."

"Is there anything you're looking for in particular?" Elliot asked. "The father, Michael Taylor. Anyone else in the house above the age of nine. Basically any possible suspects."

"We'll be getting Taylor's to you right away. As well as the two older kids in the house besides Cole," Olivia told her. "Okay, thanks. Oh, and there's something I think you should see."

Elliot and Olivia followed her to the gurney that held Ashley's body. She showed the detectives the little girl's arm. All over it, there was a certain type of bruise. "Round, irregular. Such as a fist, and from the same person's fist." The same thing proved true for her other arm, and legs. Then, Michaels showed them Ashley's back. More bruises, except they were different-very different. "Whoever made these bruises, and the fresh ones on Ashley's stomach and face, is most likely much smaller than Michael Taylor. Unless, that is, Michael Taylor, assuming that he's been abusing her in the past, decided to take the time and use different, and presumably very awkward, positions-meaning this would take some time. I estimate that the whole attack took place in under ten minutes. It would've taken much longer for him to continue this awkward position while pinning down a struggling three-year-old," Michaels explained, using gestures to explain what she meant.

"So it's not Michael Taylor?" Elliot asked. "I personally don't think so. When I do these extensive DNA tests and get the rest of the DNA samples, I'll be able to tell you for sure. But right about now, I'm thinking no."

"So, then.It could be Cole?" Elliot asked. "It's very possible."

As Elliot drove the car, he shook his head in disbelief. "What?" Olivia asked him. "I honestly thought that it wasn't Cole, that there was no chance," he told her. "Elliot, just because she said that it was possible for it to be Cole doesn't mean he killed Ashley."

Elliot was silent for a minute. "Would you like to come with me to Dickie's school? He asked me to come in a talk about bullying. I asked his teacher yesterday and she said the only available day would be today."

"Sure, I guess. When we get back, we need to talk to Kristyn and Cole about DNA samples."

"What were the other brother's names?"

"Myles Kennedy and Mackenzie Truett. Myles is the only one old enough for a test, besides the other two."

"So we need three tests."

Elliot pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school. Even from his place, he could see that there was something going on at the playground. He stepped out and glanced at his watch. Dickie would be at recess right now. Sure enough, as more and more kids huddled around a small area, Elliot heard the voice that could only be his son's voice, "Leave her alone!"

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