Page 28 of Solid as Steele
“Good.” Wheeler gave a tight smile.
“Might you authorize the forensic person to process the area where the attacker hit me too?” Owen asked.
“If it’s free, why not? Tell my deputy where, and I’ll have him cordon off that area too.” Wheeler clapped his hands. “Then Dahl will get your statements, and you can be on your way.”
Mackenzie’s shoulders rose, and Owen was starting to recognize that look in her eyes. She was going to try to find a way to be here when the chopper landed and maybe longer. And Owen had no doubt that whatever she put her mind to, she would achieve.
7
Just over three hours later, Mackenzie closed her eyes and held her breath as the thumping helicopter rotors stirred the dust and sent it swirling into the air. The machine was landing a good football field away, but dust carried on the flat terrain, grittiness irritating her eyes and face. She waited for the chopper to land, and the blades to slowly wind down before approaching.
The deputy had taken their statements and cordoned off both areas. Sheriff Wheeler had gone back to his office to coordinate his resources, warning her and Owen to stay clear of the crime scene, but he didn’t come right out and say she had to leave the area after that.
Ryan didn’t hang around but caught a ride to the rental cabin with the sheriff to retrieve his Bronco and bring it to the crime scene so she and Owen didn’t have to hike back to her rental.
The chopper’s front door swung open, and Cooper Ashcroft jumped down. Coop was one of the pilots for the Blackwell Tactical team out of Cold Harbor. He was an intense guy with black hair and was often mistaken for an unapproachable tough guy, but once people got to know him, they soon learned he was a marshmallow inside.
He slid open the back door and held out his hand to assist first Sierra and then a very pregnant Kelsey. According to Mackenzie’s calculations from the last time she’d seen Kelsey, the woman was around seven months pregnant, and her large baby bump confirmed that.
Mackenzie stepped over to greet them and introduce Owen. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Of course.” Kelsey shook hands with Owen. “And what’s your connection to all of this?”
Owen explained his situation concisely and robotically.
Coop glared at him. “Mighty convenient to forget things when a body’s been discovered.”
“She’s skeletonized, so I doubt Owen had anything to do with her death.” Mackenzie felt compelled to come to Owen’s defense.
“You think it’s a she?” Kelsey asked.
“Female clothing,” Owen answered.
“The remains are completely exposed?” Kelsey asked. “Nothing buried?”
“That’s right,” Mackenzie said.
Sierra looked at Owen. “Must really be tough not to remember.”
“It is. But things are starting to come back. I hope I’ll soon know what I was doing out here other than discovering these remains.”
Coop made a noise that was half a harrumph and half a grumble clearing of his throat as he eyed Owen.
Okay, what do you really think, Coop? Sheesh.
“What can we do to help?” Mackenzie asked.
“We’ll need to unload the helicopter and set up our canopy and supplies,” Kelsey said. “But first we’ll want to suit up and get a look at the remains to know what we’re facing.”
Coop smiled at Kelsey, his softer side coming out. “Let me know when you select a location, and I’ll get the cargo unloaded.”
Kelsey pointed at the helicopter door. “We need the red bin now.”
“On it.” Coop disappeared into the chopper.
Kelsey wound her near-black curly hair into a ponytail and looked at Mackenzie. “I want to be clear right up front that even though you called us, our contract is between the county and the Veritas Center. Means we can’t share any information with you without the sheriff’s consent.”
“That’s what I thought.” Mackenzie smiled to ease the doctor’s concern. “We appreciate the position you’re in and will do our best not to ask anything of you.”
