LC 02 - Questionable Remains by Beverly Connor Read Free Book Online Page A

has some
notion that Aunt Jennifer had something to do with it. It's part
of her grief. She needs to get over it, not have you feeding it.
Aunt Grace has been through a lot. She doesn't need this."
    "I take it you don't think Ken's wife had anything to do
with his death?"
    "No, I don't. Jennifer isn't the nicest of people, but she's
not a murderer."
    "Why are you so hostile? Are you like this with every
expert witness every time you lose a case?"
    Kelley narrowed her eyes. "I've never had an expert witness refuse to admit that there was room for doubt, when
there so clearly was. You went beyond stubborn, to criminal, and I'm taking steps to have you sanctioned by the
courts."
    "I couldn't express doubts I didn't have."
    "No doubts? You had-what-a ten-second glimpse of
his mouth? Denny's a troubled kid, an easy target when someone is throwing blame around. You didn't know for
sure it was him, but because you're labeled a so-called
expert, they believed you. You know that you need more
corroborating evidence to make a positive ID."

    "I said this at the trial, but I'll say it again. Denny
Ferguson's lower incisors overlap in front, his lower left second premolar has a pronounced lingual lean. He was missing his right second mandibular molar and his upper
incisors both had a mesial chip that made a V-shape in front.
Even if he had a twin with the same occlusal pattern, his
twin wouldn't have broken his teeth in the same way.
Denny Ferguson has a distinctive tooth pattern that is
unique to him that I recognized and could reproduce in a
drawing. It was that drawing that both Albert Kim and the
policeman recognized. I think you have a deep misunderstanding about identification. Take all the steps you want.
You'll only look like a fool."
    They stared at each other silently for a moment. Finally
Kelley spoke.
    "I didn't come out here to retry the case. I came for my
aunt. She is a very nice, sensitive woman who loved her
brother dearly. We all did. He was a bit of a rogue, but a fun
guy and a good uncle. Grace is in denial about his death, a
natural process of grieving, but she needs to get on with her
life. I don't want her hurt."
    "I understand that. Your aunt and uncle asked me to do
something for them, and I agreed. There is very little evidence, no bones to examine, only pictures of clothed skeletons. I will do my best for them, but I told them that there is
little that I can do."
    "Aunt Grace has pictures? That must be horrible for her."
Kelley looked at the house and wrinkled her brow. "I'll talk
to Uncle Miles."
    "I don't think she's looked at them," said Lindsay. "She
averted her eyes when Miles showed them to me."
    Kelley looked back at Lindsay. This time she had a softer expression and her eyes weren't like glittering daggers.
"Can't you see what this is doing to her?"

    "I think she needs a closure she can deal with. Perhaps if
I see what the authorities in Tennessee have and I can tell
her it was only an accident, she can go on."
    "Perhaps you're right." Kelley rubbed her eyes with the
tips of her fingers. "What's the story on the guy in the field;
how did he get there?"
    Lindsay smiled. "I don't know. It's a mystery at the
moment. I told your uncle I'd like to send some archaeology students to look around to see if they can find anything
else. It won't take long. They'll try not to interrupt his planting."
    Kelley shook her head. "It's so late for planting, I suppose
he was just plowing under the field. It's been so dry lately, I
think he lost the last planting."
    Kelley seemed almost friendly. Lindsay hoped she had
lost some of her hostility.
    Joshua came out of the house holding his package. Grace
and Marilee followed with Miles and Dr. Tim. Lindsay gave
Joshua a receipt for the object, and she promised to keep
them informed about the progress with the remains and
with Joshua's knife.
    As Lindsay drove off, she saw Kelley holding Marilee's
hand. She felt a pang of envy.