Killing Hour - Lisa Gardner [32]
“Oh, I’m sure it is.” Kimberly waved her hand negligently and stepped forward.
The young sentry made a discreet move left and without seeming to exert any real effort, blocked her path.
“Excuse me,” Kimberly said firmly. “But I don’t think you understand. I have clearance. I’m part of the case. For heaven’s sake, I was the first officer at the scene.”
The Marine frowned at her, unimpressed. The other pair of Marines had moved closer, obviously prepared to offer backup. Kimberly flashed them a sickeningly sweet smile. And watched as Special Agent McCormack eased into the clearing behind them.
“Ma’am, I must ask you to depart,” the first sentry said.
“Where’s the crime-scene log?” Kimberly asked. “Just get the log and I’ll show you where I’m signed in.”
For the first time, the Marine hesitated. Kimberly’s instincts had been right. These guys were just foot soldiers. They knew nothing about investigative procedure, or law enforcement jurisdiction.
“Seriously,” she pressed, taking another step closer and getting everyone antsy now. “I’m New Agent Kimberly Quincy. At approximately oh-eight twenty-two hundred I found the victim and secured the scene for NCIS. Of course I want to follow up with this case.”
Mac was halfway to the body now, moving with surprising stealth for a big guy.
“Ma’am, this area belongs to the Marines. It is restricted to the Marines. Unless you are accompanied by the appropriate officer, you may not enter this area.”
“Who’s the appropriate officer?”
“Ma’am—”
“Sir, I found that girl this morning. While I appreciate that you’re doing your job, I’m not leaving a poor young girl like that to a bunch of camo-clad men. She needs one of her own around. Simple as that.”
The Marine glared at her. She’d definitely crossed some line in his mind over to wacky. He sighed and seemed to be struggling to find his patience.
Mac was now at the area where they had both seen the leaf flutter to the ground. He was on his hands and knees, moving carefully. For the first time, Kimberly realized their problem. There were many dried-up leaves on the ground. Red, yellow, brown. What color had been in the girl’s hair? Oh God, she already didn’t remember.
The backup sentries had edged closer. They had their hands on the stocks of their rifles. Kimberly brought up her chin and dared them to shoot her.
“You need to leave,” the first sentry repeated.
“No.”
“Ma’am, you depart on your own or we will forcefully assist you.”
Mac had a leaf now. He held it up, seemed to be frowning at it. Was he also wondering what color it should be? Could he remember?
“Lay a hand on me and I will sue you for sexual harassment.”
The Marine blinked. Kimberly blinked, too. Really, as threats went, that was a pretty good one. Even Mac had turned toward her and appeared sincerely impressed. The leaf in his hand was green. All at once, she relaxed. That made sense. The leaves already at the scene were old, from last fall. A green leaf, on the other hand, had probably been brought in with the body. He had done it. They had done it.
The backup sentries were now right behind the first pair. All four sets of male gazes stared at her.
“You need to leave,” the first Marine said again, but he no longer sounded as forceful.
“I’m just trying to do right by her,” Kimberly said quietly.
That seemed to disarm him further. His stare broke. He glanced down at the dirt path. And Kimberly found herself still talking.
“I had a sister, you see. Not that much older than this girl here. One night, a guy got her drunk, tampered with her seat belt, and drove her straight into a telephone pole. Then he ran away, leaving her there all alone, her skull crushed against the windshield. She didn’t die right away, though. She lived for a while. I’ve always wondered . . . Did she feel the blood trickling down her face? Did she know how alone she was? The medics would never tell me, but I wonder if she cried, if she understood what was happening to her. That’s gotta be the worst thing in the