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LEDET STOOD NEAR THE water’s edge and surveyed the scene in front of him. Cypress trees grew in abundance here, both in and out of the water. Spanish moss draped from the limbs and blew gracefully in the wind. A slow moving snake slithered through the coffee colored water of the bayou. If it weren't for the scene in front of him, this would be a tranquil place.
The humidity from last night’s rain clung to him. He swatted at a mosquito as he looked down at the body. A flurry of activity took place around him. Photos were being taken, and the surrounding area was combed for clues.
He heard Dr. Ortego holler out orders as his assistants removed the body from the water. Dr. Ortego looked over the body and told Ledet, “She’s been dead over twelve hours.”
The gaping wound on her neck appeared more grotesque than it would have at the time of death due to the water creatures attacking the body. They were lucky that the alligators hadn’t dragged her off to one of their hiding holes for the body to ripen. Just how many women had become an alligator’s meal?
As he walked towards Hutch, the sound of an engine caught his attention. A boat with a two stroke engine came barreling across the bayou and caused the water to ripple. It’s a good thing the body was already removed from the water.
He shook his head as he thought about what happened here. He hoped that Hutch would be able to read something from the scene that they could find useful.