Chapter 14

Steve took a few pictures of the doctor’s release. Of course, trying to read a doctor’s signature was difficult enough without having the help of a nurse. Sitting at his desk, he was waiting for Deputy Tucker to arrive to explain himself, and perhaps shed some light on what happened.

Willow was pacing. She’d already called Embry who promised to call if she heard anything at all from her father. Willow was doubtful he would call her. He had to know by now that Embry had come to her senses. He, as usual, would only be concerned with himself.

The door flew open. Steve and Willow both stopped, fully expecting to see Tucker in some state of dishevel. Instead, a tiny woman, maybe a whole 5 feet, runs through the door. Where is Kelly Thomas. I need to see Kelly Thomas.”

Steve approached the young woman. “I’m sorry, Miss. Who are you?”

She was still upset. “I just need to see Kelly Thomas. Identify the body. Please. My name is Jennifer Thomas. I’m his niece.” Now the woman was nearly inconsolable so Steve led her to the morgue, well, more like an oversized meat locker. She was sobbing, using her sleeve as a tissue. He felt sorry for her. She was obviously confused.

Steve found Kelly Thomas’ storage chamber and pulled the body out. He uncovered her face and the woman screamed and fainted.

Steve caught the woman before she hit the floor. “It must have been too much for her. Seeing her aunt like this.”

Willow was wetting some paper towels to wipe her face. “She did say she was “his niece.” Willow’s face paled and she whispered, “No, it couldn’t be.”

Steve was intrigued. He never knew which way Willow’s brain was going to turn. “What?”

“You don’t think this…this she is really a he, do you?”

He laughed. “I’m thinking the M.E. would have noticed if she was really a he.”

“No. It’s a thing. Haven’t you read about it? People are having surgery because they don’t think they were born right.” She shrugged. “Or something like that. It’s all over Facebook.”

“I’m not on Facebook. Or Twitter. I don’t watch television. And I don’t read the gossip magazines either.” Steve looked at her like she was insane. He’d heard a few rumors but he’d dismissed them as ludicrous. “She couldn’t be...could she?”

They both looked at each other, Kelly Thomas, then lifted up the sheet. Both exclaimed. “No way!”

Willow felt her face heat up. “No, she’s definitely a woman.”

Steve turned away, his own face competing with Willow’s. “Yep, she’s a woman.” He looked at the young lady resting on the chair. She was beginning to flutter. “No, she’s got to be confused. I wonder how she heard about her aunt’s death? I thought Kelly Thomas didn’t have any living relatives. This case is getting more confusing by the minute.”

The woman groaned and tried to stand.

Steve approached her. “Oops, you better stay seated. You’ve had quite the shock. Identifying a loved one can be very difficult.”

Willow handed her the wet paper towel she’d been holding. “Maybe this will help.”

“Who…who...” She pointed to the body still protruding from the locker. “My uncle…”

Willow took the woman’s hand. “Did your uncle have surgery? Is that what happened?” She looked to Steve. “This is probably why we couldn’t find any relatives.” She turned back to Miss Thomas. “I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.”

The woman gasped and passed out again.

“Poor woman. I imagine it’s quite the shock. Well, she is a he, and of course, there’s the issue of being dead. Just one would do me in. Both, I’d pass out too.”

Steve shook his head and pressed some cool paper towels to the woman’s face. “Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas.”

She groaned a few times and blinked. “I’m sorry. I haven’t eaten a thing. And all this…” She waved her hand in the direction of the corpse. “…has been a little too much.”

Steve handed her a bottle of water. “Maybe this will help.”

She took a long drink then said, “I think there’s some sort of misunderstanding. I received a call today letting me know my uncle was killed at his ranch. Kelly Thomas is his name. Or I guess, it was.” She shrugged.

Steve asked, “Do you mean Ed Thomas?”

“Well, Edward is his middle name. Everyone in the family calls him Kelly though. I just thought he would be called by his first name here at the morgue.”

Steve turned to look at Willow then found the paperwork on Ed Thomas. “You’re right. His first name is Kelly. Spelled Kelley.” He put the paperwork down then pulled out the correct body. “I’m so sorry for confusing you. The gal we showed you, her name is Kelly Thomas. We thought it was quite the coincidence your uncle and this lady shared the last name. The fact they share the same first name…well, that opens a whole new list of questions.”

Ed Thomas’ niece identified the body then asked about his property. “Do you think it’s alright if I stay at his place? I’m kind of short on cash.”