Blind I
Dictator of the Lab
At my desk, there were only three objects: A keyboard with dots instead of letters, a large printer, and a small statue of Helen Keller. I typed on my keyboard, gazing in its general direction. 'May twenty-second, two thousand nine- Case FJN09-6478-0003. Victim found at a car sales lot, approximately five days since death. Primary findings suggest Carbon Monoxide poisoning-' I hovered my fingers over the keys, thinking '-Will get further instructing from the coroner. Suspects: ((All nicknames provided by an outside affiliation to the deceased. ))Richard 'Ricky' Maynard- Boss at the car lot, George 'Toolz' Toolman- Co-worker also best salesman, Rochelle 'Shelly' Gomez-Vic's girlfriend… Victim: Manuel 'Manny' Jesuarah. Ethnicity: Hispanic, Approximate Age: 23, Residence:…" I transcribed my mental notes. I searched for the button on my keyboard: Prnt. When my fingers found the Braille letters, I hit it. My Printer buzzed to life. Long sheets of legal sized paper aligned on the tray. Removing one, I slid my fingers over the punches. 'Perfect,' I thought.
"Cori? I'm going to talk to the ME, wanna come?" I nodded, grabbed my notes and cane, and made my way to the elevator. Paris and I stood in silence until the doors creaked open. The strong odor hit me again, but more subdued this time. I felt around before finding a long metal table. I stopped, looking up. The ME took that as his turn to speak.
"Detective LaVey! You never come down here!" I heard the slapping of latex being removed from skin. Then, he snapped his fingers. My right hand found his; we shook.
"I've told you before, Doctor Randall, if I call you Sam, then you have to call me Corbin at the least!"
"Very well, Corbin. Toxicology reports found alcohol, but in a lower dose. I'd say he was very drunk two days prior to his death. Cause of death was in fact Carbon Monoxide poisoning, but it wasn't suicide. The victim, Mr. Jesuarah, had duct tape adhesive on his wrists, ankles, and mouth. All were removed prior to you finding him."
"Toolman, cr-…ud," I covered.
"What?" Sam and Paris replied simultaneously.
"We let him go, he had an alibi. He's probably halfway to New York, now."
"Is there a connection to the Diaspirate Cases?"
"Probably."
Time Magazine: 'Marvels of Modern Forensics: Detective LaVey':
Detective LaVey held an interview with Authoress Kennedy Burns:
Burns (B:): What was the first case you worked on?
LaVey (L :): Well, the first case with the FBI was actually a serial killer case. They had issues with bodies appearing in dumpsters behind department stores. Each body was clothed in a designer sweater and jewelry. That was also my first case working with a partner, Paris Stauer.
B: Has this affiliation with a federal investigation, for want of a better word, group affected you work?
L: Quite the contrary. I love working with Paris… and the FBI.
B: Back to that first case. Did your handicap hinder your ability to get a feel for the crime scenes?
L: Not at all. When your partner can describe it in detail, you have no issues.
B: But you have been blind since birth, correct?
L: Yes… Is that supposed to change something?
B: No, I'm just wondering. Now, more about this Partner, Paris…
L: I see no reason to bring detective Stauer into this. What was that about my first case?
B: What techniques did you use to solve the case?
L: We never did.
B: What?
L: He's still at large. Almost every other case we have now is related. Every single related body was duct taped at the wrist, ankles, and mouth, and the duct tape was removed before the body was found.
B: Can you tell us a little about the cases?
L: No…
B: Oh, well then… I guess this interview is over…
L: It would appear so.