The One Who Watches

by Emerald O'Brien

  Joel nodded and frowned. “Oh, oh! Mia came and dropped off some coffees. I’m sorry, I forgot. I was so shook… I still am.”

  “You also said,” Grace whispered, eyeing the entryway as she spoke, “that you and Tyler were going to travel, meet women.”

  Joel rubbed his palms on his pants. “It’s complicated. I don’t think…Mia and I aren’t going to work out.” Footsteps drew near, and Joel hissed, “Please don’t say anything.”

  Mia appeared around the corner with Roger close behind her.

  “When was the last time you were all together?” Grace asked. “With Tyler.”

  “The boys went golfing last weekend.” Mia turned to Joel.

  “Nothing out of the usual,” he said, “right, Roge?”

  Roger dazed off. “I can’t believe he’s gone. It still doesn’t feel real.”

  “Just a few words with Joel,” Grace said, “and we’ll be on our way.” Mia and Roger left the way they came.

  Supportive fiancée, doesn’t even know she’s on the way out, and Joel is left with a company, a fortune, and a date with travel and new women. Maybe he wanted Tyler and Mia out of the way to enjoy it all on his own.

  “Joel, do you have any plans as far as the business goes?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Still haven’t thought about it.”

  Grace’s phone rang and she checked the I.D. M.E. Raven Lockwood.

  “I have to take this,” she said.

  Joel pointed to the kitchen.

  “Thanks,” she whispered, walking down the hallway toward it before answering. “Sheppard.”

  “Hi, I’ve got some good news for you. My report will be ready tomorrow morning.”

  “Good news for the Gibbons, too,” Grace whispered.

  They’ll finally be able to plan the funeral.

  “You want to come in at eight tomorrow morning?” Raven asked, a whooshing yawn following the last word.

  “I’ll be there. Hey, how is everything going with that guy?”

  “Ugh, I don’t know. Not great. Your sister’s been a real help, though.”

  Of course she has. Way to go, Mad.

  “Okay, we’ll talk more tomorrow morning.”

  “See you then.”

  After hanging up, Grace started toward the front foyer once more, but the light from the kitchen in the opposite direction shone on a wall of photos down the front hallway. Grace walked toward the light as little moments in Joel and Mia’s lives illuminated before her.

  One of Joel and Mia holding each other, standing on a dock in front of the sunset.

  Another of Joel and Mia with an older man and woman.

  Maybe the would-have-been-in-laws.

  The next, a picture of Joel and Tyler in fancy suits, each popping a champagne bottle on either side of another man, smiling between them.

  In the final photo, a group stood together outside the college. Mia and Donelle stood on either end of a line of their friends, with Tyler in the middle, Joel on Mia’s side, and Roger next to Donelle, holding her waist, looking just as close as the couple on the other end.

  Was something going on between Donelle and Roger romantically? Wouldn’t he have volunteered that information? Maybe not with his girlfriend there…

  Grace rejoined Mac and Joel in the foyer. “We should be going. Thank you for your help.”

  “Of course.” Joel reached for the doorknob.

  He can’t wait to have us gone and his secret plans to break up with Mia gone with us.

  “One other thing. Were Roger and Donelle ever… a couple?”

  “No,” Joel smiled, “why?”

  “Was Donelle ever seeing anyone?”

  “Her dad was so strict; he wouldn’t let her be in a relationship, even as a full-grown adult. But you know, I think something could have been going on with Donelle and Tyler.”

  “Donelle and Tyler?”

  “Yeah, maybe. It couldn’t have been anything serious. Like I said, her dad wouldn’t allow it, and I think Tyler would have told me, but she seemed the happiest around him, and they had a lot in common, too, with our program.”

  Grace nodded a thanks before leaving with Mac. He walked her to her car and opened the door for her.

  “So now we have a motive for Joel,” Mac said. “Further proof that Mr. Gaines didn’t like Tyler and blamed him, and another guy to look into.”

  “Roger? Yeah, I have a feeling he’ll be more willing to talk without his girlfriend around. And something else to look into: a possible relationship between Tyler and Donelle or Donelle and Roger.”

  “Let’s give him a call tomorrow morning to set something up.”

  She slid into her car. “Oh, that was Raven, by the way. Meet at the morgue tomorrow at eight AM.”

  Sixteen

  In the early morning rain, Madigan followed behind Raven’s car on her bike down Main Street, toward the morgue.

  Where can I go to stay dry while I’m watching out for her? This is another reason why I need a surveillance van. Maybe I can get a used one after a few more jobs.

  Raven’s car turned into the parking lot, and Madigan drove by to avoid any suspicion, entering the next parking lot down the street and parking her bike there. She put her helmet in her bag and pulled her hood over her head, jogging through the rain, scanning the lookout possibilities. A white car pulled into the morgue parking lot ahead of her. She recognized it as Melanie’s.

  I haven’t talked to her, but I should see what she knows. She spends the most time with Raven.

  She jogged to catch up with her before she entered the building, but as she rounded the hedge, Melanie disappeared through the front door, and it shut before Madigan could reach it. Panting, she reached into her bag and grabbed her cell phone as she tucked her body closer to the building, under the awning cover.

  I’ll call Raven and ask to be let in so I can talk to Melanie before she starts.

  She tapped Raven’s name and scanned the lot as her phone rang.

  “Is everything okay?” Raven asked.

  “Yeah, I was wondering if I could talk to Melanie real quick? Just to ask if she’s noticed anything weird around here?”

  “Oh, I guess.”

  “It won’t take long.”

  Something shiny wedged between the windshield and hood of Raven’s car caught her eye, and she walked toward it. “I’ll be right there to let you in.”

  “Okay,” Madigan muttered, and Raven hung up as she reached the car.

  A silver bracelet hung around the base of one of the windshield wipers.

  She wouldn’t have put that there. When could he have done that? Left it for her to see? I went home just after midnight and got back to her place at five. That’s the blind spot. The only time I’ve taken my eyes off her and her car. I shouldn’t have left. I need to be there, round the clock.

  “Hey,” Raven called through the rain. “Melanie’s ready for you!”

  Melanie. She was around Raven’s car when I wasn’t here. Just enough time to slip that on.

  “Madigan?” Raven called.

  Madigan turned around, and Raven hustled through the rain toward her.

  “The bracelet,” Madigan said as she joined her side. “Did you notice this there on the way to work?”

  “Oh, come on, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Raven shook her head and rubbed her hands over her face. “No, I didn’t notice it. How did that happen?”

  “Can I get in your car?”

  Raven handed her the keychain, and Madigan opened the door, sitting inside and leaning back against the seat.

  Raven’s shorter than me, and I can’t see it right now. He could have slipped it on, and it slipped down when she activated the wipers.

  “Can you get in now?” Madigan asked, climbing out and switching spots with Raven. “Now that you know it’s there, can you see it?”

  Raven frowned and shook her head, climbing back out again and slamming the door shut, locking it. Madigan took the bracelet
off the wiper and jogged to the building behind Raven.

  Melanie had the opportunity. If she did it, she’ll act surprised when Raven tells her what happened. Maybe I can tell if she’s faking it.

  Raven unlocked the door and held it for Madigan. Once out of the rain in the air-conditioned front hallway, Raven leaned her back against the wall, her teeth chattering.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t see it happen,” Madigan said.

  “It’s not your fault.” Raven wiped her face again. “I never got a text back. I asked Paul if he was doing this and nothing. Why is he doing this?”

  No denial from Paul.

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to be at your house as much as possible, especially overnight, watching.”

  Raven shook her head.

  “What? You don’t want me to?”

  Am I being fired because the bracelet slipped past me?

  “No more waiting. Will you come with me?” Raven asked. “I want to confront him in person.”

  “What?”

  “I think it’s the only way to make sure he knows it’s not okay.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “I get it if you don’t feel safe. I haven’t felt secure in weeks now.”

  I’ve handled more than my fair share of violent men. I’m not afraid of confrontation. I don’t know if paying him a visit will help or escalate things.

  “No, it’s not that. I just—"

  “Rae?” Melanie asked, rounding the corner. “Everything okay?”

  She glanced at Madigan before stopping in front of Raven.

  “It’s that creep,” she muttered. “He left a bracelet on my windshield wiper.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “I want to be left alone,” Raven said, wiping her wet hair away from her face.

  Melanie rubbed her fingers against her chin and shook her head. “I’m sorry that some asshole doesn’t know when to stop and that it’s got you so upset.”

  Raven let out a huff, tossing her braid over her shoulder and shaking her head. “I just don’t get it.”

  “Well, if I can help in any way—”

  “Actually,” Madigan said, “could I ask you a few questions?”

  She frowned. “Sure, anything.”

  “I have to get changed,” Raven said, squeezing Melanie’s shoulder. “Thanks, guys. I’ll see you down there. Madigan? About that thing. Will you think about it?”

  I don’t think it’s a good idea, but she’s desperate. I’m feeling desperate, too. Grace will know what to do.

  Madigan nodded and turned back to Melanie as Raven rounded the corner.

  “Have you noticed anyone hanging around here lately? In the lot, or across the street?”

  She shook her head. “Nope.”

  “Do you know of anyone who’d want to do this to Raven?”

  She folded her arms over her chest. “No, not that I can think of. I thought this was that bad date she had a while ago?”

  “She hasn’t seen or heard from him since.”

  “Well, it doesn’t even seem like nice stuff he’s leaving. If he wants to win her back or bribe her, he’s doing a terrible job.” She huffed out the last words with laughter.

  “What?”

  “Raven’s not materialistic. He’d know that if he knew her at all, which he doesn’t. That’s why it’s so weird. Someone who barely knows her going to all this trouble.”

  “But you know her well, right?”

  “We’ve worked together for almost three years.”

  “You care about her, then.”

  Melanie stared down at her and opened her mouth but closed it again.

  “I ask because I hope you’ll keep your eye out for her.”

  “Oh, of course.” Her shoulders slacked, and she let her arms drop to her sides.

  A knock startled them, drawing their attention to the glass door. Grace and Mac stood on the other side, and the rain had stopped.

  “I have to get this.” Melanie strode to the door, punched in a code on the security keypad, and waved them in. “Raven’s almost ready for you,” she said to Grace and Mac, nodding to Madigan while keeping the door open. “Gotta go to work now, if you don’t mind?”

  “How’s it going?” Grace asked as Madigan strode to the door.

  “This is a surprise,” Mac said with a grin. “How’s it goin’?”

  Madigan nodded to him and turned back to Grace. “I’ll fill you guys in tonight?”

  “You all know each other?” Melanie asked.

  Grace smiled. “This is my sister.”

  “Oh.” Melanie’s eyes opened wide behind her thick frames, and she smiled at them both. “I don’t see the resemblance.”

  “Long story,” Madigan said. “Thanks for your help.”

  Melanie gestured to the door.

  She can’t wait to get me out of here. I can’t find a reason she’d be leaving these random gifts for Raven, though. Even she admits they aren’t her style.

  “See you tonight,” Grace called.

  As the door closed, Madigan wished she could slip back inside and ask for Grace’s advice.

  Tonight will have to be soon enough.

  She shoved the bracelet into a small pocket in her bag, letting it drop into a spot for safekeeping.

  Seventeen

  “You’re early.” Raven pulled her arm through the sleeve of her lab coat as Grace and Mac approached the door with Melanie following close behind.

  We’re on time, but maybe she’s running late. Madigan didn’t look too confident, and Raven looks tired and distracted.

  “I like to keep you on your toes,” Mac joked, but Grace saw something sad behind Raven’s eyes as she forced a smile.

  It’s gotten worse.

  Raven nodded to Melanie, and she slipped into another room. They entered a cold room with Tyler Gibbons’ body lying on the metal table before them. Strong smells of bleach and cleaning products lent to the sterile atmosphere Grace could never become accustomed to.

  “So, down to business.” Raven grabbed a clipboard and stood beside Tyler’s head.

  “We have multiple contusions, fractures, bruises, and internal bleeding. His body received trauma in line with a car accident, which is what you’d expect, but I found a few bruises that didn’t quite match, here.” She pointed to the left side of his face between his cheek and jawbone. “And here.” She pointed to his lower abdomen that corresponded to the place on her paper where she’d noted the abnormal bruising on a diagram of the body.

  “Okay, what does that mean? How are they different?” Grace asked.

  “I didn’t notice it at first, but the progression of the bruising is slightly different. I then looked into the shape of the bruises and found they have the same form.” She flipped over the paper to a photograph of the bruise.

  “A fist?” Mac squinted at the picture and turned to Raven. “He was punched?”

  “It wouldn’t have been long before the crash,” Raven said, “but long enough to notice a slight difference.”

  “If he’d been punched in the face and stomach that day, the markings on his face at least, Joel would have seen,” Grace said.

  “Possibly Mia, too.” Mac examined the bruise on Tyler’s face.

  Unless Joel’s the one who did it, and then he obviously wouldn’t mention it.

  Grace bent over for a closer look. “That time unaccounted for between when he left work and started across the bridge. Could have happened then.”

  “As you can probably see, there were no abnormal markings. No rings. However,” she pulled the sheet down further, stopping just above Tyler’s pelvic region. “The bruise down here suggests the fist collided with his belt. You see the markings?” She pulled out a bag from the counter with a belt inside, and held up the buckle through the plastic.

  “Sorta,” Mac muttered, leaning in to examine it.

  “Remember Charles Gaines’ red knuckles?” Grace asked.

  Mac nodded.
>
  “I had the belt swabbed but found no blood. There could still be touch DNA or more on it, so I sent it in.” She sighed and yawned. “I swabbed for DNA samples on his body as well, but you know how long that takes, so they haven’t gotten back to me yet and won’t for a while I’d guess.” She rubbed at the back of her neck as she stared at the body.

  “You sound down,” Mac said. “More than some slow DNA test results usually make you feel.”

  Raven glanced at Grace.

  She doesn’t want to get into it.

  “Any other findings?” Grace asked.

  Raven turned back to her clipboard. “No other abnormal markings were found that were inconsistent with the crash; however, there could be some prior, recent damage that couldn’t be distinguished like I could with the bruising.”

  “So, in other words,” Mac said, “something else could have happened, but it can’t be differentiated from the kind of damage a car crash would cause?”

  Raven nodded. “He broke his arm once in childhood. Has a few old scars on his lower legs. It’s all long-since healed. No other distinct traumas. Remnants of coffee and a cold-cuts submarine sandwich were found in his stomach. No drugs. No alcohol. Time of death was noted at the scene.”

  He wasn’t impaired…wasn’t on the phone…so the erratic driving Mindy witnessed was not influenced by physical distraction.

  “Thanks, Raven,” Grace said. “You’ve been helpful.”

  “Of course.” Raven set her clipboard on the metal tray and turned to the counter beside her. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I only made one copy, and I know you both like your own. I forgot.”

  “That’s okay.” Grace took it.

  “Let me make one for you.” Raven reached out for the papers.

  “Sure,” Grace said at the same time Mac declined.

  “We play nice, now,” he told Raven, taking the file from her. “I promise.”

  Raven’s smile came and went as she turned back to the body. “I’ll be notifying his parents that he’s ready to transfer.”