NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST
After the last of the survivors was removed from the scene Maggie wasn’t sure how to proceed.
“I’ll radio for Olly Cushman to come on in,” Sheriff Skylar told her.
“No, wait. Does the county attorney have medical training?”
“Medical training? Probably as much as you or me.”
“I spent three years in premed.”
He stared at her. Then finally said, “I’m sure he’s taken the same death investigation workshop I did.”
“A crime scene like this one is going to require someone with more training than a weeklong workshop.”
“Actually, it’s a day.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s pretty comprehensive,” Donny offered, then he quickly looked away, rubbing at his jaw but it was too late. Maggie had already seen his disapproval.
“You can’t examine these bodies out here anyway. We need to bag ’em up, get ’em to a proper facility. Maybe North Platte.” Skylar was addressing Donny now as if the two of them would make the decision. “Got to get them out of here before those clouds burst open and wash away any evidence.”
“That’s exactly why we need to get someone here now,” Maggie told him. “I think it’s important to examine them at the scene, especially with it being outside. It won’t matter how many photos we take. Has Cushman ever investigated a death?”
“Of course he has,” the sheriff said. “Beginning of summer. We pulled a woman’s body from the Middle Loup. That was a mess.”
“Homicide?”
“Accident.”
“I thought someone saw her jump from the Highway 83 bridge,” Donny said.
“It was ruled an accident.”
“What about homicides?”
“We haven’t had a homicide in Thomas County as far back as I can remember.”
“What about the State Patrol?” Maggie looked to Donny. “You must have someone who serves as a medical examiner.”
“We do in Scottsbluff.”
He had picked her up in Scottsbluff. From what Maggie remembered of the drive it seemed like an eternity and that was in daylight. She looked over her shoulder.
“We need someone now. There has to be someone closer. Someone in law enforcement with a medical background?”
“There is one person. Just outside of North Platte. She’s retired now. Lucy Coy.”
“No, not that crazy old Indian woman.” The sheriff tucked his thumbs in his belt, looking defiant.
“Lucy follows procedure,” Donny said. “We’ve never had a complaint.”
“Of course not. Anybody criticize, she’d probably put a curse on ’em.”
Maggie watched Donny’s jaw clench. She turned her back to the sheriff and asked Donny, “She has a medical background?”
“I don’t think she’s a certified MD, but she worked on death investigations with the State Patrol for years. Long before I joined. She taught several of our best investigators. Our course is a week long.”
“She probably taught them black magic, too.”
“She taught me, Frank.”
The sheriff held up his hands in surrender, shaking his head and smiling like he didn’t mean anything but indicating that he wasn’t really apologizing, either.
“How far away?” Maggie asked.
“Hell, I think her place is just south of here.”
“Call her.”
“It’d be better to take these kids in and let them get properly examined,” the sheriff protested.
“Call her,” Maggie repeated.
Donny pulled out his cell phone, checked for reception, and slipped it back in his pocket as he tugged his two-way radio off his belt.
“We could have a downpour at any minute,” Skylar still protested. “Everything will be washed away while you wait for Lucy Coy. And then just watch, she’ll be collecting spirit dust and lightning bugs. We’ll be here till dawn.”
This time Maggie pinned him down with a glare that made the man take a step back. Maybe he remembered this was the same woman who earlier pulled her gun on half the county elders.
“I’m still hoping that you’ll choose to be a productive part of this investigation, Sheriff.” She stopped there when she wanted to ask him to leave, but personal experience had taught her that co operation from the local law enforcement was vital to winning a community’s support. This sheriff could be her greatest asset or her worst liability.
Hank and one of his men returned.
“Hank, do you have some unused brown paper bags?” she asked.
“Yep. Up in the gift shop.”
“How about more tarps or rain pouches? Especially anything unused. And rope or twine?”
“I think we can find some.”
“We’re going to divide this area up into five sections,” Maggie explained, “and each of us will work a grid. That’s if you’re staying, Sheriff?”
They stared at the sheriff. He released a sigh then nodded, just as Donny called out, “Lucy’s on her way.”