OFFICER JONES DIDN'T LIKE THE SIGHT THAT GREETED HIM.
"Damn," he muttered as he pulled his squad car off of the highway and onto the shoulder, pulling up beside a slew of people milling around the woods. He rarely every got to go on patrol himself, and now that he did, something bad-looking had to come up.
He unbuckled and climbed out, casting a glance over the hood. Several of the people looked up at him but did nothing except talk amongst themselves. There was already an ambulance and a Highway Patrol vehicle parked nearby, and he wondered just what the vague message he'd heard over the radio had meant.
He pushed his way through the crowd--"Okay, okay, come on, everybody clear out, okay? There's nothing here to see"--and finally reached the top of the slope leading down into a leaf-littered ravine. He stopped, seeing the state trooper and several paramedics, tiny below.
Also seeing the partially-covered body between them.
"Shit," he breathed.
When he reached the bottom of the ravine the trooper was kneeling over the body, picking up one of the hands--it was long and slender, looking very frail in his grasp--and looking it over. He glanced up at Officer Jones as he approached, the wet leaves scrunching beneath his shoes, and stood. The police officer stopped, recognizing him.
"Oh," he said, unable to hide the catch in his voice. "It's you."
The trooper shrugged. "I haven't changed anytime recently." He nodded at the body. "You hear anything about this?"
"No," Officer Jones said, casting a look at the body. It was a young woman, lying facedown, her ruddy blond hair spilled out over her head and neck. It looked as if she were wearing no shirt, but he couldn't be sure from the leaves covering her. "I was wondering what was going on...Jeez. This is what you found?"
The trooper nodded. "Been dead a day or two. Those two people up there--" nodding at a couple in jogging clothes standing atop the hill, with a German shepherd between them "--found her earlier today. She was obviously strangled. I made a call and was waiting for anybody to show up. I guess you're the first."
"Yeah, well, I guess I am," Jones replied, not too pleased. He shuddered at the thought of a murder--a murder, right here in Cheboygan. Yes, it had happened before, several times, but that had been years ago! "Did you move her any?"
"Not yet. You can help me."
"Thanks," he muttered, following the trooper back to the body. They both stooped this time, and Officer Jones watched while the trooper took her by the shoulder and rolled her over. The officer and paramedics, as well as the people up on the hill, backed away with a collective gasp; even the trooper's expression changed slightly.
The woman's shirt--or sweater--or whatever--was missing; her top was naked, and carved into her chest was a bloody five-pointed star.
"Jeez!" Jones exclaimed again, turning away and clenching his eyes shut. [Note--I had really, really wanted Jones to be saying, "Jesus Christ!"--but refused to write this, as it seemed too sacrilegious. I still have difficulty typing it, and I'm not even Christian anymore! I also believe I meant "squinching his eyes shut."]
"Do you recognize her?" the trooper asked.
"Hell, no! I've never seen her before in my life!"
"Well, you obviously recognize the marking."
Jones forced himself to turn back, to look at the trooper to make sure he wasn't jesting. The trooper's icy blue eyes met his and locked. Jones averted his gaze and shrugged, letting out his breath in one big whoosh.
"Yeah, I recognize that," he admitted. "But--but I thought this was all over. Years ago."
In response, the trooper let go of the girl's shoulder, and she slumped forward, onto her face again. "Apparently not," he replied softly. "Not by a long shot."
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