The group says hello as the deputy takes off his coat and hangs it from the back of his chair, then sits. He requests soup and coffee from Sarah when she arrives to take his order, then looks around the tables at everyone. “I know the group was going to be nine people, it just seems larger in person rather than reading about it on paper, I guess. Thank you all for coming, we appreciate it. I wanted to let you know about an update that Sgt. Randolph was just made aware of. A couple of hours ago, a body was discovered in Tindeehanna Stream, one of the three forest streams that makes up Quesahanough Run, which feeds into the West Branch. The Forest Rangers contacted our county sheriff department and Sheriff Ulate is on scene. The body is being transported to the ME, though not much is known now. What’s odd is that Tindeehanna Stream is frozen through everywhere, except where the body was found. It was like the river wanted us to know.”
“Okay, this changes tomorrow’s plans somewhat,” Wendy begins. “Vito and Tiko, I think you should work with the body first before venturing to the forest. Tewow, Maddie, and Diego can still go into the forest in the morning. Libby and I were heading to the hospital in the morning, but we may need to either go with Tiko or Tewow since we can only split into two groups with one officer each.”
“I vote we go with Tiko and Vito, Wendy. I can analyze blood from the body, and you can see what was natural or not about the death,” Libby chimes in.
“Working the deceased sounds fine with me, Wendy. Vito will possibly have more to do than me as I’m only here to put the dead to rest. Libby is also a better analyst of the deceased than I,” Tiko replies.
“Okay, Sepulveda. I’m staying with forest group as originally planned. Your group now has a couple more members and will start at the ME’s office instead of the hospital. Wendy, we can meet at the motel for lunch then all of us head back to the forest. The forest group will be outside all morning, a midday-break to warm up sounds welcome. Deputy Peterson, we’ll need someone at the ME’s with us as well as an escort to the forest.”
Deputy Peterson pauses from eating another spoonful of his recently delivered soup, “Sheriff Ulate offered to meet everyone at the ME’s, Sgt., so I’ll be with your group tomorrow. Ranger Brunner will most likely accompany us in the forest.
“Ranger Brunner’s the one who put together your dossier about all the odd events observed in the forest the past couple of years. Potluck County contributed additional information about the more recent incidents occurring outside the forest. There is no report yet available about the body, but Sheriff said she’d send something before the end of the night. It may only be preliminary information, she warned.
“I’m also to let you know that fresh baked breakfast casserole will be delivered in the morning, is seven o’clock good? Your noon and dinner meals will also be given then too. We’ve an agreement with the motel for younz to use their stove with an oven and their full-sized refrigerator. This same arrangement is set for Tuesday and Wednesday too. I have with me six 5-gallon bottles of water with spigots as requested. We’ll refill them as needed. We appreciate you working with us regarding your meals. We are not the richest county but luckily the DCNR is also contributing some of your travel funds.”
Wendy doesn’t seem to resent Sully and Peterson interacting the most, even after Sully named her the group leader. Diego supposes police are just more comfortable speaking with other officers rather than civilians, at least when it comes to logistics.
“Thank you, Deputy Peterson,” Wendy takes over. “If you could have Sheriff Ulate contact me about tomorrow, I’d appreciate it. A phone call or video conference would be best, we can have Sepulveda, Vito, and Tiko in our room during the call. Tiko, Vito, and Libby, please come up with a list of additional supplies that you may need and work with Sepulveda and me. I know we brought some of our stuff and provided the sheriff’s office with a list prior to traveling here, but we are now dealing with a deceased body. Sepulveda, I’m sure you’ll meet with Sully to discuss the parameters about our involvement with the body, just keep me in the loop please. Tewow, is your group good to go for tomorrow?”
“Yes, I believe so. However, I think we should stick with investigating the original strange occurrences in the forest. After lunch, the full group can then look at the area the body was found. Diego, how does time affect your ability to detect weather disturbances around the body site?”
“Time lessens it but getting there in the morning versus the afternoon won’t make much of a difference. Both are many hours after today. Having said that, Deputy, can you have someone take samples now for me to look at tomorrow? I’ll need several vials of the water the body was found in plus samples of dirt next to the water. In addition, ice from both sides of the bank and samples of the ice surrounding the watery spot. All ice samples should remain intact in a freezer. And this is going to sound crazy, but I need bags of air. Just have someone run around with
