Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the Crossing Jordan Characters and this is meant only as personal entertainment.
PART TWO
Nigel had retreated to the corner of the room as Macy and Bug began the methodical process of autopsying the body. He soon found the only way he was able to remain calm was to look at her face, only her face. With the exception of the bruises, he was able to visualize her as just sleeping. But the bruises, the dark marks on her flawless skin would always bring him back to this cold reality. She was gone. She was gone and someone had used her brutally.
"Nigel." He finally heard his name and saw Woody had somehow come in without his notice and moved to his side. "Come on man, we need to talk." His voice was soft. "We can use Macy's office." Nigel simply nodded as he mechanically started to follow the detective out of the room.
"I'll be right there Nigel." Macy called as he backed away from the table.
"You finish here." Nigel spoke sadly. "You take care of her. I'll be all right." Macy looked at him with concern. "I appreciate it Dr. Macy, but I have nothing to hide. I need to know she's being cared for." Macy nodded and moved back to the table. "Come on Woody, let's get this over with so you can find the bastard that did this."
He ignored the looks of sympathy from his coworkers as they walked down the hallway. He knew that they would avoid him at any cost for a while, not knowing what to say or how to react. It was a relief to finally enter the office and hear the door close behind him.
"Nigel, I'm really sorry…"
"Woody, right now I don't need apologies or condolences. I need this butcher to be found and arrested." He snapped angrily before he could stop himself. "Please, lets just get this over with." Taking a deep breath he looked around, then sat.
"Okay." Woody shuffled through the papers he held uncomfortably. "Let's start by telling me how you knew the victim."
"Christina." Nigel sighed deeply. "Her name was Christina." His eyes were hard. "We've known each other for about six months now."
"How well did you know her?"
"Intimately." Nigel didn't pause as Woody looked up, blushing. "That's what you need to know, isn't it?"
"Nigel, I'm here to try to help you out of what's looking like a really bad situation."
"Bad situation?" It was Nigel's turn to feel confusion. "Why, because I knew her, slept with her?"
"We found some pictures." He opened one of the folders he had been carrying and handed him a handful of photographs. "Nigel…when was the last time you saw her?" He watched as the other mans eyes grew wide. "Nigel?"
"Who is this?" He stared at what could have been his own face. "I don't remember her taking any of these." He continued to shuffle through the photos. "I don't even own any of these clothes. What is this, some sick joke?"
"I don't think she wanted you to know she was photographing you." Woody watched Nigel closely. "Maybe she was actually stalking you."
"What are you not hearing Woody? This is not me!" He shoved one picture toward the detective. "Look at this suit Woody; and this one. Think for a minute, do you think on what I make here, I can afford one, much less two suits of this quality?"
"Nigel. I'm looking at pictures of someone that looks like you." Woody took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I find a woman dead that you not only know but have been intimate with. What am I supposed to think?"
"What are you supposed to think?" Nigel stared in horror. "Woody, I can't believe that you even said that."
"Nigel…I…" Woody saw the pained expression his words had on Nigel and instantly regretted them. "Nigel, man I'm really trying to help you out here." Both men fell into an uncomfortable silence. Finally Woody spoke up. "Can we start over?"
"Yeah, sure." Nigel mumbled quietly, still staring at the pictures he held in his hands. "I swear to you Woody, I don't know who this is, but it is not me."
"I believe you." Woody rubbed his eyes. "Okay, let's start with when you were with the…Christina last."