When Tommy got to the scene, Sgt. Laughlin was the only one left, taking down the yellow crime scene tape.
“Out trying to slander more innocent people?” He said with a grunt and sneered, his gray walrus moustache turning up at the sides. At least there wasn’t egg stuck in it today.
Tommy ignored him and just to be obnoxious, starting taking snapshots of him rolling up the yellow tape.
“You better knock that shit off!” His face was red and the veins on his neck were bulging.
His anger surprised her. He stomped over and Tommy’s breath caught in her throat. He acted like he was going to punch her. She didn’t put down her lens. Instead, she continued snapping away as he grew closer, figuring maybe if he assaulted her, the film would be proof. But he stopped inches away. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a couple walking by staring.
“If you don’t leave immediately, I’m going to arrest you for interfering with a crime scene.” It appeared as if it took all his effort to say these words, which he seemed to spit out between his gritted teeth under his bushy moustache.
“Fine.” Tommy backed up slowly and turned without meeting his eyes. There was so much vitriol rolling off him, she half expected him to thump her from behind or something.
When she unlocked her car door, Tommy breathed easier. She sat in the driver’s seat but didn’t start the engine, instead staring through the windshield at Laughlin.
He didn’t look her way when he finally put the tape in his trunk, slamming it forcefully before he hopped into his squad car and took off with a squeal.
Tommy’s hands were shaking as she turned the key in the ignition.
Later that night, lying in bed, Tommy remembered something. When she first arrived at the scene of the second homicide, it seemed almost as if she had startled Sgt. Laughlin. He had been facing the brush area and she would’ve sworn he actually jumped when she pulled up.
Tommy decided to go back to the scene. She wondered just what it was that the sergeant had been doing or looking at when she arrived.
But this time when Tommy arrived at the scene, she saw a black car parked on the road, so she kept driving. Just at the top of the hill was a small parking lot where people went to make out and star gaze and take in views of the downtown skyline. After Tommy parked, she pulled her jacket hood up over her head and cinched it tight to hide her red hair. With the hood up, she was just a genderless figure in black. She grabbed her smallest camera and silently made her way down the hill to the crime scene where the vehicle was parked.
As she got closer, she realized she would have to press against the brush to avoid being seen.
She was doing just that when she heard a slight noise that made her pause. She looked quickly at the dark car. It was empty. But somebody was in the brush.
Heart racing, Tommy ducked into the bushes through a small clearing that looked like it was used by deer. It was just big enough for her to fit through if she stooped.
Tommy crawled through, as quietly as she could, taking tiny steps. Then, in front of her and down the hill a bit she saw the beam of a flashlight moving around and heard what sounded like a grunting noise.
Whoever had the flashlight was swearing and grunting under his breath. And suddenly, she knew.
That grunt was familiar. Sgt. Laughlin.