Read Online She Who Watches by Patricia H. Rushford - Free Book Online

“Let’s hope the wind blows it in the other direction. Or at least that we get the evidence we need before the body is destroyed.”
    â€œYou ready to make some time?” Mac asked as they hit Highway 26 south of Gresham.
    â€œLet her rip.” Dana flipped on the red-and-blue strobes and the wigwag headlights.
    Mac crushed the gas pedal and pointed the car toward Mount Hood. Nothing was more beautiful than the mountain at sunset with the year-round snow reflecting the glimmering red, gold, and purple of the sky. And tonight the sky and the mountain were glorious.
    Mac and Dana crested the summit of the Government Camp pass on Mount Hood at sunset. The pink reflection of the sun was fading on the snowy peak, while the crest of clouds to the east reflected something dark and sinister. The Simnasho wildfire was burning hot and fast, painting a wide brush of red, gold, and black across the high desert landscape.
    Centuries ago, an ancient eruption from the then-active volcano had left the eastern half of the landscape a barren wasteland. Even today, you could see the demarcation leaving the west side lush with dense forests of Douglas firs.
    Dana looked over at the digital clock on the dash, then back to her own watch to compare the time. “Looks like we’ll be working this gig in the dark. I was hoping for a little light.”
    Mac took a left onto Highway 216, starting toward the town of Maupin and the milky-looking White River. “We might have cell coverage now. Why don’t you hit dispatch, and we’ll see if there are any updates. The fire looks closer than I thought.”
    Dana phoned their dispatch in Salem, again speaking with the floor supervisor. “Hi, Mac, Dana. Not too much more I can tell you except that it’s definitely a recent body dump.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    â€œWe got the verification from Officer Webb with the Warm Springs P.D. A deputy medical examiner from Wasco County is just arriving at the scene.”
    â€œWhat about our CSI people?”
    â€œThey’ve been requested, but it’ll be at least another two hours before someone from Portland could get out there, and the fire is blocking the folks from Bend.”
    â€œDo we have anyone from the Bureau of Indian Affairs?” Dana asked.
    â€œNegative. They have their hands full dealing with the fire. Word is they’re going to wait for the medical examiner’s report.”
    Mac tipped his head down to get a better look at the sky. “We may not be able to wait for the crime lab. We’ll have to grid the site ourselves if the fire pushes any closer.”
    â€œHave you done that before?” Dana asked, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
    â€œOnce, but I’ve seen it done several times. I have plenty of twine and stakes in the trunk.” Mac turned right into the White River campground.
    â€œThis must be the place.” Dana motioned to a green Chevy pickup with the yellow Warm Springs Police Department logo printed across the door.
    Mac checked out on the radio, requesting the ODOT crews out of the Bear Springs station to bring some light standards to the scene in preparation for having to work in the dark. He would rather hold the scene processing until morning, but with the fire bearing down on them, he couldn’t chance it.
    They parked next to the green truck, noting the medical examiner’s white van on the other side of the wooded campsite, and prepared to process the scene.
    Special Agents Miller and Lauden pulled in less than ten minutes later, just as Mac and Dana had finished taping rubber covers over their shoes to prevent scene contamination.
    â€œHey, Jimmy.” Dana smiled as the lead agent exited his car. The agent nodded back, mumbling something to his partner as they approached the detectives.
    Jimmy? When had Dana gotten to a nickname basis with the guy? He pushed the thought from his mind. He had to stop obsessing over Dana