“I can do that. I don’t see where that would give anybody a wedgie.” Mai searched through her files until she found the one she needed. “Okay.”
“What were the results of the tox screen?” Peggy waited for the answer on the edge of her chair.
Mai searched through the file. “Nothing.”
Peggy’s enthusiasm waned. “Nothing unusual?”
“Nothing at all. There
11
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Common Name: Scotch heather
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“ISN’T
“Not necessarily. Cause of death was apparent. We knew it was from a blow to the base of the skull.” Mai shrugged. “I suppose the ME didn’t see any reason to do a tox screen. We’re very cost conscious right now. They won’t even put in an extra roll of toilet paper in the ladies’ room.”
“Suppose I could give you a reason to do a tox screen. Do you think the ME would consider it?”
“I could ask him, Peggy. But it’s unlikely. They’re scheduled to release Warner’s body tomorrow. I don’t think they’ll add any new tests to hold that up. The widow and her lawyer have been giving them fits as it is.”
“But Mai, this could be crucial to the case. There must be something you can do.”
“I appreciate your faith in me. But I’m only a peanut in the food chain around here. My opinions don’t matter much. Mostly, I go-for.”
Peggy tapped her fingers on the desk. “Once the body is buried, it will be impossible to exhume. We have to do that tox screen
“Tell me what you know.” Mai sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Peggy explained several pieces of information she’d picked up in conversation. “Mr. Cheever didn’t have any of Mark’s blood on him, even though he handled his body to remove his watch and wallet. He said he thought Mark was sleeping.”
“But that could just be coincidence.”
“Then there’s Keeley. She told me that Warner was slurring his words, staggering, acting like he was drunk. I didn’t think much about it until Warner’s other lady friend told me he was allergic to alcohol. He never drank.”
“So, what are we looking for? Checking to see if he had a drink? Checking for drugs?”
“If he accidentally imbibed, it would go right to his head. Allergic reaction. It would make him an easier target. Don’t you see? If someone purposely gave him alcohol, someone who knew he couldn’t have it, it would change the dynamics of the crime. The murder may have been set up before Mark ever got to the shop.”
Mai nodded. “Which would take your friend out of the picture. At least one of them, anyway. You realize it could be worse for Ms. Prinz?”
Peggy nodded. “One thing at a time, I suppose.”
“Okay. Stay here for a few minutes. I’ll talk to the ME’s chief assistant.”
Peggy waited impatiently in Mai’s office for about twenty minutes until the younger woman returned. “Well?”
Mai closed her door. “The chief assistant ME doesn’t see where a tox screen is appropriate or warranted at this time. He appreciates your concerns, but the case is closed.”
“It must be nice not to second-guess yourself,” Peggy muttered. “What can we do now?”
“Nothing really. The chief assistant ME is the only one who speaks directly to the medical examiner. There’s a chain of command. I have to live by it. In this case, so do you.”
Limping a little, Peggy put her arm around Mai’s thin shoulders. “Have you ever heard the expression, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’?”
“Have you ever seen my landlord? If my rent isn’t there by six the night before it’s due, he starts auctioning my stuff. If I don’t have a job, I can’t pay my rent. Then I’d have to move back home with my parents.” Mai paused for breath. “Nothing is worth that.”
“Don’t worry. What I have in mind will work, and we probably won’t get caught.”
“And if the worst happens, you can move in with me. I have a very large house.”
“Peggy, I don’t like the sound of this. What do you want me to do?”
ONCE SHE AGREED to the plan, Mai insisted it had to be done at night. They agreed to meet at the precinct parking lot at midnight. Peggy took Shakespeare home before going back to the Potting Shed and gave him free
