CHAPTER NINE
"Yes, Mr. Randall," Brass asked, noting Iris's tired expression and haunted eyes. She was heartbroken and he knew it, his heart aching for his bride.
"Look, if there's anything I can do to help, and please call me Nat," he replied.
"Well, Nat, thanks for coming down to show them support. I'm afraid they haven't wanted much contact with me of late, understandably. I'm Iris Brass and this is my husband, Captain Jim Brass, who you already know. However, I go by Iris King professionally here as a CSI." Iris said.
"Pleased to meet you both, albeit I wish the circumstances were better." Nat replied. "Uh, I noticed some unusual feathers over the on the counter. May I have a look?" He pointed at a jar containing two of the feathers collected at the crime scene.
"Sure. We know they're bird feathers and I was going to have an ornithologist at UNLV look them over for further identification." Iris replied with curiosity piqued.
Nat opened the jar to examine the feathers further. "These are western bluebird breast feathers. You can tell from the vivid blue color. I've got degrees with zoology and biology majors. For a hobby, I do wild bird rescue so I know what I'm talking about. The species name is Sialia mexicana. They look to be freshly plucked and not molted.
Looks like this bird had infestations of lice and mites, but the birds are native to the area yet not commonly seen."
"Impressive," Brass said, sizing up Nat with a new eye.
"Nat, could I prevail upon your knowledge further if needed?" Iris queried.
"Absolutely! I want to see this creep arrested and put away." Nat replied fervently.
"Okay, pal, we've got your contact info and will be in touch," Jim said amiably as he shook Nat's hand.
Nat nodded to Iris and left the room.
"Penny for your thoughts, hon," Brass said softly as he came to hold Iris against him.
"Whoever this guy is he's slicker than snot and will do this again, I feel it in my gut and that we've got to find him ASAP." Iris whispered against his chest.
"We'll get him, babe. Trust me on this. We'll nail this sick…" Jim was silenced as Iris placing her hand to his lips.
"I know," she said softly.
David came into the room to tell them the funeral home representative had arrived to pick up Heidi's body.
"David, could we have just minute?" Iris asked.
"Sure, as long as you need, Iris." David replied. He went to open up the compartment door and slide out the table Heidi rested on.
Jim went with Iris to stand by the little girl they had been so fond of. Iris gently brushed a curl away from Heidi's face and bent to kiss the now-cold forehead. Jim took one tiny hand in his own, placing a soft kiss of farewell upon it. Impulsively, Iris removed a gold cross bracelet she wore to place upon Heidi's little wrist.
"Little one, we promise to get the person responsible for this," Jim said with anguish in his voice. Iris looked up at him with large, nearly black eyes.
"Jim, I want to cry in the worst way… why can't I?" She asked in a low voice.
"Let's get home. It's been a long, tough day for both of us. We'll go for a quiet dinner somewhere first." Brass replied, walking Iris toward the door, as she went without protest.
After arriving home for the night, Jim settled on the couch and turned on the ten o'clock news. Iris was in the kitchen getting them some iced tea to drink. The very first story was about Heidi's murder and the ongoing search for the killer. The reporter had an exclusive interview with Mark and Janice. Jim was going to turn the channel when he saw Iris walk slowly into their living room. She stared intently at the screen as Janice tearfully begged that if anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward to the LVPD. The news reporter went on to say that the CSI unit while actively investigating the crime had not turned up any concrete leads. Without a word, Jim turned off the TV and brought Iris to sit down and snuggle into his lap.