I look down at the dead woman and then I glance over to the neat stab wound in her neck.
I take a few pictures and start writing my report. Her name was Jessie Ray. She was an American as well. I don't get many Americans on my table. I bring the report to my desk and I hear a door opening.
A man walks in. He has dark hair, blue eyes and wears glasses. From the looks of it he's American too. It looks like he's been crying.
“Excuse me, sir? You can't be in here.” I tell the man.
He looks at me and wipes his eyes. “Forgive me, I know I'm trespassing, but that is my wife. Can I please..?”
I Stop to think, look at the man and nod firmly. “Of course, yeah, sure.” I lead him on and show him her body. Unsure of what to say or do I just tell him: “My condolences.”
With a sob he says: “Thank you, mister..?”
I answer quickly: “.. Ford. Nick Ford.”
He looks at me. “A pleasure. My name is Daniel Ray.” He looks back at his wife. “Can you tell me what exactly happened? Nobody is willing to give me a proper description of her death.”
I frown. “I wish I could. You should probably talk to a blood-spatter analyst. I used to know someone who had that occupation, he could tell you exactly what happened and what not.”
“What happened?” He asks.
“Excuse me?”
“With you and that man. You said 'used to know'.”
“Oh, yeah, I moved.” I answer. A little surprised by the sudden personal question. “But it looks like it was a quick death. She probably didn't feel any pain.”
He smiles a bit. “Probably.. I hate that word.”
“I'm sorry. It's really all I can tell you.”
A little let down he replies. “It's okay.” I look at him. I see his pain, I know his pain. I've had that pain. Not just once..
“But uhm.. If you want I could make a call with the department and ask what they think what happened.”
His eyes widen of gratitude and surprise. “You'd do that?”
I nod. “Sure.” I give him a smile. “I actually have to close off now, but I could have the information tomorrow. You could just leave your number and I'll give you a call.”
“Let me do you one better. I'll buy you lunch. And you can explain it then.”
I smile again. “Absolutely. That'd be better.”
“Good. Here..” He hands me a card with his name and phone number. “We'll set a time and place tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. I'll see you then.” I smile at him as he walks out.
“Until tomorrow, Mr. Ford.” He nods at me and walks out the door.
The next day I meet him at one of my favorite lunchrooms. They serve these amazing sandwiches, even better than the ones I had in Miami. He's already there, I smile when he sees me and walk to his table. We immediately order and as soon as we got our lunch he gets down to the point.
“So.. You managed to get the information?”
I take a bite and nod. He waits for me to swallow it and I start talking. “She got attacked by one man. They think he was going for her purse. Because it was missing. They found some signs of a struggle, she even knocked him to his knees once, because they found hand prints on the floor that didn't belong to her. So they might catch the guy. Anyways, she was pushed against the wall and with one hit he pierced the knife in her neck. So, as I said already, it was a quick death. I hope this gives you some comfort.” I take another bite.
He remains silent for a while before saying. “Yes, it does. Thank you.”
I swallow. “I lost someone too.. My wife. She was murdered as well. And she didn't get to have a quick death. It was slow and painful.”
“I'm really sorry to hear that.” he replies.
“What I'm trying to say is.. If you need someone to talk to, you could always come to me. Because I know what it is you're going through.” I take my last bite.
He smiles. “That really means a lot. Thank you.”
“You're welcome. And thank you for this delicious sandwich.”
“You have to leave?” He asks.
“Unfortunately, yes. Break time is up. There are bodies to inspect.”
“How can you do such a job?” He asks with a frown.
'I have no idea' I try to say with a smile. “Someone's gotta do it, right?”
“I suppose you're right. Well, it was a pleasure again. And thank you, again.”
“Don't mention it. Perhaps till next time.” I smile and walk away.
It's an odd feeling. I might just have made a friend. Maybe, for once, I get to have one. I keep walking to my car, with a vague smile on my face and get in my car.
I don't see Daniel Ray getting up from the table.
He takes out a phone, dials a number and waits for an answer.
As soon as he hears a voice on the other side of the line he says: “I'm in.”