Ray thought the simplest answer was usually the right one, but he deferred to the lieutenant’s experience. And rank.
“Meanwhile,” Havers said, “I’m sending a couple of uniforms out to knock on doors. I’m sure the people you talked to aren’t the only ones who live along that stretch of road.”
“And what should I be doing, sir?”
“You might see if anyone has reported Carl Scheman missing. Or if he’s been admitted to any of the local hospitals.”
“How close is local?”
“Good question. Start with the ones closest, like Colby General, and branch out.”
So Ray spent a frustrating and fruitless morning.
Shortly after noon the lieutenant came back.
“I’ve just had a talk with the ME. He says even though the body’s badly burned, he was able to get a tissue sample where the DNA might still be ther
