The Lifeguards(14)
Salvatore himself bought suits in bulk at Men’s Wearhouse during their annual sale. Investigating homicides was a messy business: after one intense situation that had led to Salvatore’s shoes, socks, suit, tie, and even underwear getting soaked by blood, Jacquie had told him to just “get naked in the garage and don’t bring those nasty murder clothes into my house.” Understandably, she didn’t want the kids seeing him covered in gore, and she wasn’t interested in any laundry that might include brain matter.
Jacquie had stashed a bin of clean outfits from Thrift Town in the guest bathroom. She’d instructed Salvatore to enter via the garage, shower, and then greet the family in fresh pants and T-shirts, depositing his “horror movie clothes” directly in the wash…or even the trash can.
Although he’d been brought up to wear clothes until they fell apart, Jacquie had introduced him to the thrill of throwing things away. Sometimes, it felt as if he could toss the trauma of his days into the bin with the stained linens.
But the memories usually came back.
* * *
—
“OFFICIAL CAUSE OF DEATH is drowning,” said Katrina, bringing him back to himself. Salvatore could smell Katrina’s lotion, something clean and sensible, like Lubriderm. “But opiate levels in her bloodstream were three hundred nanograms per milliliter…”
“So she overdosed.”
“It’s hard to tell what happened. That’s why I called homicide.”
“Three hundred nanograms? There’s no way she was able to swim, right?”
“I’m not a detective,” said Katrina, “but if she drowned, she would have sunk, not ended up at the edge of the water.”
“So she wasn’t alone.” Salvatore inhaled. “And the 911 call was anonymous, untraceable phone. Did she have track marks?”
“None. And no evidence of any struggle.”
“How old is she?”
“Nineteen or twenty. No ID on her, no phone.”
“OK,” said Salvatore. APD was still searching the greenbelt trails for any belongings she may have left behind, and he’d ordered a sweep of all the trailhead parking areas. She could have lived in the neighborhood or parked a car nearby. Salvatore needed to get his team to begin interviewing possible witnesses and going door to door.
He followed Katrina into the examining room, where the victim lay on a stainless-steel table. Salvatore tried to enter the tunnel. He scanned her body: no bruises, no burst blood vessels, the developed muscles of an athlete; if she were a junkie, she hadn’t been one for long.
He stood close, trying to hear what she could tell him. What happened to you? he asked her silently, staring at her face. Often, their eyes were open, but this woman’s were closed. She had a small tattoo of a teddy bear on her upper arm, the word “BEARY” underneath.
Who did this to you? Salvatore asked her.
Why the tattoo of a teddy bear?
Whose daughter are you?
Who loves you, and is wondering where you are?
He imagined her swimming, sinking, trying to claw her way up the side of the trail. Salvatore glanced at her fingernails: oval shaped. No polish. Clean. He saw her fighting to get air, but being held down by something.
Or by someone.
-7-
Barton Hills Mamas
CARLA G
Hey mamas, what is happening on the greenbelt? I took Waylon for a swim (I know, I know, the water’s got all sorts of diseases. No need to tell me. It’s 100 degrees and I needed a freaking break!) and down by Campbell’s Hole, there are cops everywhere. Homeless person down? Drunk teens? What is happening?
MAMATOCHLOE
I heard they found a dead body.
VICKI B
Oh, no. That’s so sad.
BOYMAMA
Jesus Christ, we left the UWS to move somewhere safe! What the hell?
NYCMOM
No joke, we paid almost two mil for a Brady Bunch house and our neighbor has Trump signage. Where on the UWS?! We were in Morningside Heights! But when a dude flashed Finnian’s nanny in Central Park (Finnian was asleep in the Peg Perego, thank God) I told my husband, “It’s Westchester or Austin!” He picked Austin. I’m not so sure. I traded my job and my friends for this.
VICKI B
What is wrong with you people? Someone died! A moment of respect for a lost soul, please!
NYCMOM
You’re right. I’m sorry.
BOYMAMA
Me, too. I get wrapped up in my own world sometimes. It is very sad that someone died. Homeless person? Please don’t hate me for asking. I’m a Democrat!
MARYKAYMOM
Don’t despair, ladies! We all need to stick together. LMK if you want an invite to my summer bash this Friday night. All are welcome! I just got the new City Gal Lip Plumper Kit in stock and I can’t wait to show you the magic of lip plumping. Plus margaritas!
ADMIN
The board is moderated closely to make sure everyone feels safe and respected, and corrective actions will be taken if we feel someone is abusing that. Please no solicitation on the Barton Hills Mamas list.
Janine, if you spam again, you will be removed.