Chapter 2
It was quite exciting really. I have never been part of something like this. Shame the first time was at my own murder. Still, you take the good with the bad.
I have always loved those crime programs. You know the ones I am talking about? The documentaries that follow the police around and the dramas were the cops solve the case in and hour (48 minutes less commercials). Not that this was really anything like that. Everyone just seems to stand around not doing much. I must admit I am a bit disappointed. Where are the frantic calls to the station, or cops talking to each other on the walkie talkies? Come on people, give me something here!
I was first made aware of the police when the first red and blue flashes entered through the windows. Kelly, that was my friend who found me, was out on the front porch. She had stopped crying, but once the police turned up so did the water works again. I should have gone out to her but…. I just felt like I had to stay here… with…. well, me, really. A very young police officer came into the room first, followed by an older cop.
"Don't touch anything," the older man stated. Detectives will want to call in the CSI's on this one.
"Shouldn't we check to see if she is still alive?"
"Look at her Mick, she's dead."
Well that was a bit rude. Sure I don't look great, but they could at least pretend to make an effort of checking on me. Both Mick and I look back at my prone body. OK, I see his point. I am not looking well. Still, my head has not been completely severed.
Mick obviously agreed with his partner as they both left my room and walked back down the hallway. I could hear their conversation fade as they got further away.
"So who is on tonight? Vega?" Mick asked.
"Last I heard the captain was taking the jobs tonight."
"Great, Brass Balls looking over our shoulder."
I heard no more as they walked further away. Brass Balls, sound interesting. It would be cool to have my case run by some gruff, New York, hard as nails cop. However, I had chosen to live in Vegas so I was more likely to get a Rue Paul look a like.
It didn't seem to take too long before another car pulled into my driveway, a Ford Taurus this time. Looking out the window I could see the driver as he got out of the car. A man in his early fifties, short, not too stocky and with most of his hair on his head, got out and straightened his suit.
The two cops came down the stairs to talk to him, no doubt telling him about my condition. Condition… that is a laugh, my condition is DEAD. Wow, who would have thought you would still have a sense of humour on the other side.
He heads up my short drive and up my stairs, pulling his cell phone from his pocket and pressing a few buttons. By the time he gets to me he is into his conversation.
"……. Grissom and tell him to get some guys over here. Single female DB, definitely murder……….. Because her head is barely connected to her neck and it is unlikely she would have done that to herself now is it!... Just get someone here ASAP Ecklie."
I like him. His sense of humour is almost as dark as mine. Of course, I am dead so I will always win on that one.
Unlike the uniformed officers before him, he makes his way over to my body. I note that he is very careful where he places his feet, so I make sure I walk the same path behind him. I don't think I can do any damage but, you never can be too careful. We both lean over and look down at me. "What a mess."
I cast him a glare, but he choses to ignore me. Hmmm, men!
He stands back up and looks around the room. He looks closely at the red blood that is all over my once lovely Jacaranda coloured walls. I loved that colour when I picked it out. A lovely shade of purple with a strong blue tinge too it. Reminded me of the trees I used to sit under…….
"CSI's are here Captain." Mike yelled out.
Right, stay focused. I am sure Captain Brass Ball's is not interested in my colour choices.
"Send them up here," he instructs the officer.
I can here footsteps making their way up the hall and two new faces poke their way through my door. Damn, one is really cute.
"Jim, what have we got here?"
Jim? Brass Balls was a Jim? Well, OK, that is not bad. I thought he looked more like a Paul, or Dave or something, but Jim works.
"Grissom, Nick." Ohh Nick, remember that name. He is cute.
"Girlfriend came over after she tried to call a few times and got the answering machine. This is what she found. Haven't had a chance to talk to her yet but will get to that next. Coroner has been called and should be here soon."
"OK, have you or the officers touched anything?" Grissom asked. I can only assume Grissom is his last name. He looks like he could be a Sebastian or Calvin or something quirky like that.
"Gil, do I even have to answer that?" Jim replied.
Gil? Gilbert? Oh yeah, that is just right for him.
"Just doing my job, Jim. Nick, why don't you clear outeveryoneand check out the rest of the house while I start in here. After the coroner comes we can both work this room."
"Sure thing, Gris." The dark haired man left the room. Damn, there goes my eye candy.
I still could not bring myself to leave myself alone, so I let the cute boy leave and I stayed with the quirky one.
"I'm going to go talk to the friend and neighbours and see if we can get anything there," Brass Ball's said as he left the room.
I sat myself down on the end of the bed and watch Gil work. He still hadn't entered the room but stood at the doorway and looked around with his head tilted slightly. I get the feeling he didn't miss much. He pulled on a pair of latex gloves and finally entered the room.
Taking almost the same path as Jim Brass Balls he came over to the bed and looked down at me. He pulled up the camera he had strapped around his neck and started taking some pictures. The only sound for a few minutes was that of the click of the button and the whir of the flash resetting. We were both slightly startled when a voice interrupted our concentration.
"Hello, Dr Grissom. Am I right to come in and look at the body?"
"Of course David. Come right in."
David came in a made his way over to the body. He also was careful where he placed his feet but Gil followed his feet with his eyes anyway.
"Hey, Super Dave. How are the wedding plans going?" Nick asked as he returned to my room. Was that a Texan accent? This guy just gets better and better.
"Hey Nick. Not too bad. Booked the photographer today," Dave replied absently.
"David, if you don't mind..." Gil interrupted the friendly banter. Both men looked a little guilty but still smiled. They must have been used to this man.
David pulled something out of his kit and stabbed me in the side with it. Ouch, that sure would hurt if I was still alive.
"From the temperature of the liver I would say she was killed about 9:00pm. About 6 hours ago."
He continued to look over my body. Gil and Nick were also looking very closely. I was getting a little embarrassed to be honest. Here I was naked as the day I was born and spread out for all to see. At least they were professional about it.
"This is definitely what killed her," he said pointing to what was left of my throat. "She bled out right here on the bed. From the bruises and scratches I would say she tried to fight off her assailant. Not sure about rape yet but will do the usual tests when I get her back to the lab."
I looked at the two other men. Gil was looking on with interest, while Nick… he looked kind of sad. Like he was upset at how I died. Why couldn't I meet a nice guy like this when I was alive? I have the worse luck.
"She is all yours Dr Grissom. I'll just get the stretcher up here and will get her out of your way when you are ready." Dave stood and made his way out of the room.
Gil and Nick both got to work, the only comment made by Nick, "I like the colour of the walls, very feminine."
