Page 25 of Protected By Duval
“Good.” He heard a little relief in West’s voice. “I’ve got my hands full changing diapers.”
Duval grinned. “Send Tracy and the kids our love.”
The other rangers on the S.W.A.T. called out their own greeting to West and his family before West hung up.
After he put the phone away, he got up, setting his food aside, and walking over to the techs.
“Don’t forget we have lunch over there when you’re ready for a break.”
The crime scene techs that were on their hands and knees, brushing away dirt, rocks, and other detritus from the skeleton they were revealing nodded. The nearest tech thanked him.
He moved to the side of the female tech. “How are things going?”
She looked up at him and nodded. “Good. The rain loosened the soil so we may have lost evidence in the water, but” she turned her head and pointed in the direction of the side of the house. We can look over there and the path of the water to see if there are pieces that came loose in the storm.”
Duval nodded. “That’ll be a good follow up.” He looked over at where he’d parked his F-150. “I’ll get some police line tape and mark off the area you think we should investigate.” He gestured at the other rangers. “We can start looking for pieces that might have washed.”
She smiled. “That would be a big help. We have flags in one of our boxes to use if you’d like.”
“Is there an estimate on when we might be able to transport the skull to our offices for more investigation?”
She tipped her head to the side and looked up into the sky.“Hmm… Maybe an hour?”
“Good,” he nodded. “Take the time you need to but let me know when it’s ready for transport.”
“Sure, Ranger King. I’ll have the evidence transfer paperwork ready to release it to you and then I’ll call you back over.”
The back door to the house opened up and he saw Noelle standing in the shade of the porch.
She lifted a hand and gave him a little wave.
Before he could challenge his own instincts, he lifted a hand and waved back at her.
Damnit. I think I’m in trouble.
Real trouble.
CHAPTER 5
NOELLE
When she returned home she sat in her car for a few minutes waiting for her head to stop spinning.
It was one thing to get a new opportunity to show her talents, it was something else to be on site at a police investigation.
It was even more exciting to get a chance to breathe the air at the King homestead. Living in San Antonio it was sometimes hard to remember that there were big open spaces like that so near to the city.
Finola was overwhelming, but she was also sweet and reminded her a lot of her own mother.
Loving.
Pushy.
Very… very pushy.
Noelle lifted her hands to her face and laughed into them.
Goodness.
