Act of Remembrance
Chapter 8
Meanwhile...
As Mike had entered the Autopsy room, Bernie hadn't spotted him at first. The procedure he was performing was a delicate one and he had to avoid distractions. As he finally spotted Mike out of the corner of his eye he held up one hand to halt Mike where he was and Mike dutifully obeyed and stood perfectly still while Bernie completed the task at hand. Then turning off the saw and removing his eyewear he greeted the older detective.
"Ah Mike! I wondered when you were going to surface. I completed the first autopsy earlier this morning and Susan is just typing up the report and I've done the preliminary exam on victim No.2 here and had just started the main autopsy. I'm afraid I won't have the written report for this one until later this evening. Where's your partner in crime? Outside the door as usual?" Bernie said smiling.
Mike chuckled. "Yes. I don't think he'll ever make it fully into this room. So what can you tell me about our victims Bernie. Just a quick run down. I know you're a busy man."
"Ok Mike. Well victim No.1 was the body found in the alleyway. Male Caucasian. In his late fifties, early sixties I'd estimate. Straight forward cardiac arrest Mike. No doubt. No foul play indicated. His heart just gave out. Life on the streets and judging from the level of alcohol in his system, his fondness for alcohol was a prime factor in his death. No case for you there. However there was no identification on him when he was found so for the moment he remains a John Doe."
"Well, that clears that one up. What about the second one?"
"Ah, I thought you'd never ask! This one is a different story altogether. Victim No 2. is also male ,hispanic, approximately aged in his late teens,early twenties. Death caused by a bullet to the back of the head. I'd estimate a 32 calibre but I won't know for certain until I retrieve the slug which I was about to do when you so politely interrupted. He was dead before he hit the ground from massive brain trauma. However the interesting part is there are no signs of him being restrained and no defensive wounds whatsoever. Now I'm not the detective here but that would indicate to me that he was either expertly surprised or ..."
"He knew his killer! " Mike finished Bernie's sentence for him.
"EXACTLY!" Bernie replied enthusiastically.
"Very good Bernie, very good! You know you've been in this job so long you're actually starting to think like us!" Mike replied wagging a finger at the smiling Medical Examiner. "Have we got a name for this fellow yet?"
"No, not yet but I sent the fingerprints of both bodies down to Records first thing this morning so we might get one soon however I think I might have something else useful for you." Bernie announced excitedly.
"Come closer and look at this Mike. There were no other distinguishing or unusual marks on the body except for this!"
Mike had a stronger stomach than Steve's when it came to being around autopsies but never the less he did hesitate a little about getting too close to the victim. However Bernie sure was excited about something so momentarily forgetting his discomfort he leaned over to see what Bernie was showing him. There as plain as day on the front left forearm was a tattoo of a black and red spider!
"It might end up meaning something or at the very least it might help with identifying him." Bernie explained.
"Can you get me a picture of this Bernie?"
"I already have. It's out with Susan. You can pick it up on your way out along with the first report." Bernie announced proudly.
"You know you never cease to amaze me Bernie!" Mike said admiringly then stepping a little closer and lowering his voice a little he asked.
"Listen Bernie, Have there been any cases lately that have ... well that have affected Steve more than usual ... that you noticed?" Mike asked tentatively.
Bernie looked at Mike curiously.
"Mike , all the bodies that come through my autopsy room affect Steve. You know that! I don't really understand what you're asking me?"
"Have you noticed him taking any particular case lately ... you know ... more personal than others?" Mike rephrased.
Again Bernie studied Mike and thought about the previous few days as requested.
"No Mike, not that I noticed. What's going on Mike?"
"Ok thanks! I'm not sure Bernie. Something's bugging him and he won't talk about it! Just there a few minutes ago he was looking at the Morgue table as if he was remembering something ... well, unpleasant. I just thought that maybe you could throw some light on it for me."
"Sorry Mike. I haven't a clue. Maybe you could get Lenny to talk to him!"
"Are you kidding me? Steve only has to see Lenny and he almost runs in the opposite direction. Why I've seen him take the stairs if Lenny is in the elevator! No! I'm just gonna have to get to the bottom of it myself. Thanks anyway Bernie."
"Sorry I couldn't be more help Mike. ... But if you don't mind I have a bullet that needs retrieving and I want to get it done before lunch. Unless you want to stay and watch? It's a very interesting procedure."
Mike waved his hand." No, that's quite alright. I'll leave that task in your capable hands. You've been extremely helpful as always Bernie. Why you've single-handedly just cut my caseload in half! Thanks! I'll see you" then turning to go he headed for the door.
"Tell Steve I said hi! " Bernie called.
"Will do!" Mike called out but before he reached the door he turned back around.
"Oh and Bernie! ..."
"I know, I know. I'll get the report to you as soon as I can!" Bernie answered, knowing Mike too well and then put his eyewear on as he got back to work.
Mike smiled. "Ok, thanks Bernie!" and just as he got to the door he addressed Steve.
"Steve, alright we're done here. Let's ..." and then he stopped mid-sentence when he saw that Steve was nowhere to be seen. Mike's heart sank as he worried about Steve's whereabouts. Hurrying through to the outer office he was greeted by Susan who gave him the picture of the tattoo and the first autopsy report.
"Thanks Susan. Did you see Steve?"
"Yes, he left about fifteen minutes ago in quite a hurry! He didn't look that well. But he never said anything."
Mike thanked her again and headed out into the corridor. Mike stood and thought. If he hadn't been feeling well where would he have gone? Out for some fresh air maybe? And then looking down the corridor he smiled to himself. Or ... the mensroom? Deciding that was probably the nearest and easiest place that Steve would have found he hurried down the corridor. And for the second time that day he hoped that Steve was alright!
Steve had reached the mensroom earlier and felt like he was going to be violently sick. But as Mike had predicted earlier, as he had an empty stomach Steve only gagged a little and nothing came. Feeling very nauseous and shaky, Steve stood at the bathroom sinks and splashed cold water on his face. Then he wet a paper towel and placed it at the back of his neck. Steve took some deep breaths and after about ten minutes he was starting to feel human again. Washing his hands he looked at his reflection in the mirror and grimaced. He looked awful. Mike would surely notice how dreadful he looked and ask him more unwanted questions. Steve groaned. He would have to get back there before Mike knew he was gone but the thoughts of returning there only made his stomach somersault again. Before he could finish drying his hands the door to the mensroom opened swiftly and in rushed a worried looking Mike Stone. Steve looked at Mike in the mirror and then looked down embarrassed.
"Are you ok buddy boy?" Mike asked tentatively.
Still not catching Mike's eye Steve answered quietly.
"Yeah, I'm ok. I guess I just ...". Steve trailed off not really knowing how to explain what had happened to him to his partner.
"Just let it get to you huh?" Mike proffered.
"Yeah" Steve answered grateful for being allowed such a vague answer.
"Were you ...?" Mike asked cautiously but before he finished his sentence Steve replied.
"No. No. Like you said it was just aswell I had an empty stomach!"
Steve grinned trying to make light of the situation.
"I'm sorry I dragged you along buddy boy. "Mike said guiltily.
"Don't sweat it Mike! So are you gonna fill me in on the cases or are we just gonna stand in the mensroom all day huh?"
Mike chuckled. "Ok wise guy! Come on. Let's go back to my office and I'll bring you up to date. I'll even buy you a coffee as an apology if you're up to it?"
As the two men exited the mensroom Steve replied.
" Sure! If you're buying, I'm up to it! "
And with that they headed towards the elevator and back down to the quiet of Mike's office. As Steve entered and sat down, Mike poured two cups of coffee and having put two dimes in the tin he followed Steve into the office. He put the coffees down on the desk and went and closed the door then sat down in his seat opposite Steve.
Steve sat with his right leg resting on his left knee and was rubbing his eyes with his hand. Mike studied him closely and decided to try to draw him out one more time.
"Tired?"
"Yeah, a little." Steve answered now rubbing the muscles at the back of his neck.
"I guess you didn't get a lot of sleep last night what with bringing your neighbour to the hospital and all huh? Say ... do you want to head home for a couple of hours and catch up on some rest?"
"No, I'll be alright. I just need some coffee and I'll be right as rain!" and with that Steve picked up the coffee that Mike had given him and took a long drink.
Then making a face, he added.
"Mike! How many sugars did you put in this?"
"Three!"
"THREE? Mike I only take one you know that!"
"Well I thought the sugar would be good to settle your stomach and to give you a sugar boost. You looked a little flaky earlier. Go on stop fussing now and drink it up. It's good for what ails you!"
Steve made another face but drank it up anyway not wanting to seem ungrateful.
"So about the victims. What more did you learn from Bernie and please try to sugarcoat the facts like you did my coffee! And spare me any gory details! Ok?"
Mike laughed and spent the next fifteen minutes filling Steve in on what Bernie had told him and then he produced the photo that Bernie had taken of the victim's tattoo.
"Here, buddy boy. Cast your eyes on that. Might be a strong lead as to who our boy is. What do you think?"
Steve took the photo that Mike offered and as soon as he saw it, it triggered something in his memory.
"Mike! I've seen this before somewhere!"
"You have?" Mike answered "Where?" and getting up he came around to Steve's side of the desk and sitting on the desk he watched Steve studying the photo. Mike could almost see the cogs turning in Steve's brain as he desperately tried to remember why the picture was so familiar to him. After a few minutes of silence Mike almost saw a lightbulb light up in Steve's eyes as he became animated and excited.
"I remember Mike! It's a gang tattoo! I was in a black and white then. Oh, it must be five years ago now. We were called to an armed robbery somewhere in the ... Mission District ... I think."
Steve closed his eyes as if it helped him remember better.
"I think it was a gas station robbery. An attendant was killed. When we got there another patrol unit had apprehended two perps at the scene. They were gang members and both of them had this tattoo on their arms. I remember because it was so unusual!"
"That's great buddy boy! Do you remember the name of the gang or the names of the perps?"
Steve again struggled to remember.
"Mike, it was five years ago!"
"I know, I know. I'm asking a lot but they're in there somewhere buddy boy" Mike said tapping a finger on Steve's temple."Look at the picture again. It might spark something!"
Steve studied the picture again and was almost about to give up when like a bolt from the blue it came to him!
"YES! I remember Mike! "Steve exclaimed with pride as he sat up straight in the chair.