CRIME SHOWS ALWAYS FORGOT ABOUT THE SMELL. the actors would walk up to a body, kneel down close to collect evidence and never flinch. maybe it was a way to show experience, but even the most seasoned cops turned a funny shade of green when the crime scene called for it. shes lost her lunch a couple times and she had a pretty high tolerance for dead bodies. she had driven out to upstate new york on a phone call from the feds, nothing was said over the phone just a location. bear swamp was thick with trees and greenery but the summer heat made the air feel heavy against her skin even under the shade. the city smelled like hot garbage but this was worse.
the smell of a hot corpse wasnt something you forgot, somewhere between rancid meat and bile. she had hiked up one of the dirt trails until she hit the bright yellow caution tape that wrapped around tree trunks. she already knew by the assault on her nose that the victims stomach had been cut open or the body had been out in the sun long enough to swell and expel the gasses inside. she didnt cover her face but she knew that her discomfort was evident just the tension in her jaw. and the uniform officer standing in her way didnt make the experience better.
“ officer grant, ” words came out annoyed and maybe she couldve been more professional but the sweat dripping down her neck made her less than friendly. “ i was told to report here and im willing to bet the person who called me out ranks you so im going to state again: i am anita blake, i am contracted by state department, ive shown you my badge. i was called to look at the body. if you need to ask someone, do it. ”
“ no civilians, ms. blake, ” the officer repeated. he was a big man in every sense, boxy, thick and tall in a way that she wasnt sure what was muscle and what wasnt. his greying hair had taken a greasy turn, making it look gelled to his head. he was sweating too, glaring down at her like she had knocked over his ice cream cone. “ and this is no place for a lady but if you dont turn around and go back to your car, i will arrest you for trespassing. ”
ah, there it is. good ol’ boy already pissed about the feds taking over their murder case so the idea that a woman could do his job better was salt in the wound. her dark eyes narrowed as she put her hands on her hips. new york state didnt allow open carry so she was left to swelter in a jacket to hide her browning. officer grant mustve caught a glimpse because suddenly he had his hand on his weapon.
“ someone better let me into this crime scene or im leaving, ” she made her voice big and loud, easily carrying up the rest of the way to where she could see forensics and feds up ahead. “ and if officer grant pulls his weapon, you wont like what happens next. ”
@loialte ;; s.c.
