CHAPTER SIX
The next day at the CSI lab was bustling with activity. Heidi's autopsy was scheduled for that morning and Dr. Al Robbins made it a point to oversee it. Sara and Iris were going over trace evidence found at the scene, the clothes Heidi had been wearing, as well as the clear plastic box that had held Heidi's body but also protecting it from insect or animal activity, which had annoyed Grissom somewhat as such evidence could help establish a timeline, but it was clear that Heidi had been missing only mere hours before she had been found. No prints were found on the coffin-like structure; it had been wiped clean.
The bird feathers that Heidi had been holding contained mites and lice which Iris had preserved in saline to keep if needed further. A clear sticky sap like substance was also found covering her hands which Iris took several swabs of while Sara was swabbing a stain found on Heidi's dress which stained positive for alkaline phosphatase indicative of a seminal stain. Sara's eyes met those of Iris that took on a pained look.
"Do you smell that?" Sara asked as she sniffed at the stained area on Heidi's dress.
"Yes, a bleach cleanser, I think…that should really help us with getting any kind of usable DNA," Iris replied, grinding her teeth at that.
"I'll ask for a rush to process it," Sara said. She was known for how passionate she was working cases that involved the abuse of children or women.
"Sara, Al should be getting started on autopsy, can you do without me for a while?" Iris asked.
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll call or page you if I find anything else worthy." Sara replied with a half-smile.
"Thanks," Iris gave her shoulder a squeeze as she left to head to the autopsy room.
Dr. Al Robbins greeted Iris as she made her way into the room. Little Heidi lay upon the table. Any moment she should open her eyes to ask to play hide and seek, Iris thought sorrowfully, but she forced herself to maintain a professional demeanor as the autopsy began.
"Iris, if you need to leave at any time, I understand, especially this time," Al said. "I've got a granddaughter about her age."
"Al, I appreciate it and I can do to this, no worries about me." Iris said with her large, dark eyes focused on Heidi.
"All right, here we go," said Dr. Robbins, as he began to make the Y-incision.
Iris remained by Al's side throughout the course of the autopsy. He had found no external trauma to attribute to Heidi's death, and said with relief there was no sign of sexual assault. Of immediate interest was the bluish color of Heidi's lips that indicated a lack of oxygen, the advanced state of deterioration of Heidi's heart, and the presence of vomit in her lungs. There was evidence of cardiac surgery she had had earlier in life but she was now found to have severe atrial septal deviation of the heart as well as congestive heart failure. Al sadly told Iris that the little girl was on borrowed time in spite of the medication regimen she was on. Iris then inquired about the rash found on the little girl's hands and mentioned also the bird feathers containing mites and lice.
"Is it possible the rash is from the lice and mites opting to go for human blood which is what they primarily feed on," Iris asked Dr. Robbins, hopefully.
"Yes, it is…you've been listing to Gil too much," Al quipped.
Iris managed a weak smile in return. "When can Heidi be released to her parents?"
"I think within forty-eight to seventy-two hours at latest. It looks like she was given something like Kool-Aid to drink and I've sent her stomach contents off for toxicology as well as blood samples. Rest assured I've placed a rush on them. I want to see this murdering SOB put away," Dr. Robbins replied, anger coloring his tone.
"We all do." Iris agreed. "I'll be back in Trace with Sara if you need me so just call!"
That evening at home, Iris had made a quick dinner for Jim and herself. She looked pale and tired to Brass. When he mentioned ordering out, Iris had refused, saying that to cook took her mind off things for a little while. He reached his hand across the table to clasp Iris's as she looked at him with a wan smile and gave a small sigh.
"I want you to go see Dr. Elander, hon, I think you need checked out. This case is a strain on you and you need to be sharp and focused. Don't bow your neck. Please go for me, okay?" Jim tried his most persuasive tone.
"As you wish," Iris replied softly, before Jim silenced her with a kiss as he drew her to him. She needed his love and his strength especially now as she relaxed fully into his embrace.