The Chronicles

Chapter 2

"Can we cover them yet?" I ask with a frown.

"Give them a little peace."

"I think they're far from needing peace in this life," he replies. "We better check their identity. I couldn't roll them over until the city boys were done."

I note the glare he throws towards the crime scene techs. Whitefield is too small and quiet a place for those types of people, so when a major crime happens they are sent down to aid from the big city. It's the first time this has happened in my lifetime, and the city techs and small town people obviously aren't mixing well.

Harvey places his hands beneath the body before rolling it over. I wince a little at the dull thud that sounds as it topples over completely, a reaction noted by the keen, if ageing, doctor.

"..."

A woman lays spread before us, her cold, freckled skin marred by bruises.

I clench my jaw at the sight of her pale form, but I continue to stare in case it might reveal something.

"Not easy seeing your first body, is it?" Doctor Harvey says quietly, his wrinkled face creased deeper in sympathy.

"Well, anyway, I don't think she can be from Whitefield . I see to pretty much everyone's health here, and I have never seen her before."

"I just can't believe there's been a murder. Here. In Whitefield." My words come out in a confused mumble.

"I know what you mean. The last time there was violence in this town was back in my grandfather's day,"

he says, shaking his head. His thin-framed glasses wriggle down his nose; he pushes them back up and shrugs.

"Can you give me the time of death?" I ask.

"That's not my call to make," he replies, bristling slightly with his words.

"That's your man's job back at the lab." He doesn't bother to hold back the disdain in his voice, obviously not pleased at having to give responsibility to another 'city boy.'

"I'm only here to make sure the body is really dead."

"Make sure 'she' is dead," I correct him.

He frowns in confusion. "Pardon?"

"She was a person, not just a body."

Harvey nods and gives a warm smile of apology.

"Of course; you're right, Finn."

He turns to face the techs behind him, their mask-covered faces giving them an eerie look.

"You can take her away now."

He then strides away down the street to where his black sports car is parked.

"Good luck with it all, Finn," he calls back with a slight wave of his hand.

"Find out anything useful from the doc?"

Emily asks as she moves back to my side. We both watch for a moment as the techs move forward to throw a white cloth over the victim.

"Done with the guy?"

Emily looked down at the ground and let out a sigh.

"Yeah, I manage to drive him away."

Her face has a slight hint of exhaustion.

"We'll know more when Neil takes a look at her,"

I reply. "Are you okay getting statements from the witnesses?"

"Sure," she replies.

"I've already started on it."

I give a nod of appreciation.

"Take Joshua from the station if you need help."

"I'd have better luck getting help from a parrot than from that boy," she scoffs. She moves away, her pad flipped open in preparation.

With the crowds, the technicians, and the sheer amount of rubbish still littering the alleyway, I'm not sure how much more I can get from the crime scene. I begin to head out of the street and back towards my car.

"Officer Austen—I mean, Detective!"

My shoulders instantly hunch at the voice, and I roll my head from side to side to release the sudden tension before turning to face the source of the call.

"Elijah Park," I say.

"Why am I not surprised to find you here?"

Elijah, being the only journalist in the small town, leaps on any kind of gossip she can—whether it be true or not. This is probably the closest to real news she's ever had.

Elijah also happens to have a reputation as a giant pain in the ass. Still, as far as my relationship with her goes.

She also happens to be my ex-friend. I thank myself daily for ending that friendship when I did. The woman would do anything she can to get ahead. She even used our so-called friendship to print a story about me in the college paper, using information I had given her in confidence!

And as if that wasn't enough, I know she bribes our volunteer workers to find out extra information, as well as wiggling her way into people's personal lives and reporting it to everyone in town.

I really don't like people who are willing to spill other's secrets for profit, and Elijah falls exactly into that category. Our professional relationship is not exactly friendly because of it.

She grins at me as she approaches, her phone held out like a microphone.

"What's happened here? Can you tell m—

"No, I can't," I reply curtly, pushing the phone back as she thrusts it closer.

"Nothing at all?"

"No, nothing at all,"

Not even for an old friend?"

I shudder at the way she says 'old friend,' once again reminded of my error in judgement in college when we dated.

"Since we're such 'old friends,' you should believe me when I say no," I answer, trying to hold back the sneer from my face. I apparently don't manage to hide it very well, gauging by the triumphant smile she throws me, obviously pleased at getting under my skin once more.

"Come on now, Finn," Elijah coos. "You wound me with that kind of talk."

"Goodbye, Elijah," I say with finality, marching the last few paces to my car. I yank open the door and sink into the silent solace of the front seat. Elijah continues to shout muffled pleas through the window, so I turn on the radio and strap on my seatbelt. I rev the engine, loud enough to be sure no one doubts my resolve to run them over if they don't move.

The sea of spectators quickly parts as I reverse out of the alley.

--- Chapter 2 End ---