hands. The first shivers of shock hadn’t settled in yet. But they would. “Don’t speak to anyone but me or Detective Babineau.” She looked to Kip. “Take her back to the Towers. Let no one in but us. No calls, no company. No discussion of what’s happened here.”
He nodded, adding a respectful, “Yes, ma’am,” before cupping his hands beneath Ophelia’s elbows and lifting her to her feet. She leaned into his supportive embrace, but before he could guide her away, she reached out to touch Cee Cee’s arm.
“Please see he’s treated with respect.”
One grieving daughter to another, she vowed, “I will.”
– – –
Dev Dovion had secured the scene, shooing out all who could possibly contaminate it, including the first responders once they’d briefed him. When the ME spotted the two detectives in the doorway, he gestured them in after noting their presence for the record and confirming they’d taken proper precautions.
After a quick assessment, Babineau sighed. “Well, that’s one way to avoid a prison term.”
Cee Cee’s practiced gaze detailed the event laid out in grisly fashion. “But did he choose it, or did someone pick it for him?” She looked to the coroner. “Whatchu got, Dev?”
“Estimated TOD an hour, no more than three ago. I’ll narrow that down once I take him home with me. Cause of death single GSW, looks to be self-inflicted from the placement of the weapon after discharge.” He gestured to the gun on the floor beside the victim’s chair instead of still in curled fingers on the desktop. “My guess is that’s his service piece. I’ll confirm, pull prints, test for gunshot residue, and get that to you ASAP.
“First responders attempted to render aid, found no breathing, no pulse, no muscle tone in the eyes, and were smart enough to get the hell out without touching anything else before calling it in. I secured the scene upon arrival, recognized and protected the evidence as there was no aid to be rendered.”
The victim was Warren Brady, and whether he’d taken the coward’s route or someone else had decided the destination for him was the question.
He still wore his dress uniform from the taping of Crawford’s damning interview. Coincidence, ending his life where he’d effectively ended his career and chance for redemption? His body had been knocked back by the force of the round entering through the roof of his mouth and exiting the top of his flung-back head. Glassy eyes stared up at nothing in particular. The drapes pulled across the window behind the big desk were redecorated with blood and brain matter.
“Any sign he may have had help with this life ending decision?” Babineau asked as shrewd gaze tracked the trajectory.
Devion scowled. “It would seem half the local entertainment industry trooped in and out of the room this morning, but we’ll see what the evidence can narrow down for us. Once I have a list of everyone who was here with Ms. Crawford and detailed statements of their purpose and whereabouts, I can better determine if anyone other than the commissioner was in the room at the TOD. You know the drill. I’m treating this as a potential homicide unless the evidence proves otherwise.”
Cee Cee considered the implications and said quietly, “There are those who may want to rush that ruling of suicide.”
Dovion smiled. “You know me, Charlotte. I’m as easy to rush as a tax refund. This scene and this case will be treated the same way I handle all my investigations. The answers’ll come from the evidence, not for the sake of convenience or reputation. Go. Do your job and leave me to mine. Once I get the obvious physical evidence bagged and recorded, I’ll get the techs busy with photographs, measurements, and sketches. I’ll need this room examined with the same magnifying glass we’ll be under.”
Cee Cee nodded.
By the time they exited the room, her requested team had arrived. All stops had been pulled out regarding manpower to get the incident processed and concluded with every due diligence. Having assigned the tasks of canvassing the grounds and neighborhood and obtaining phone and electronic records, she and Babineau did a sweep of the house, checking for potential surveillance via the security cams only to come up empty. Apparently, Brady had shut off all electronic access to his private spaces after the disastrous interview. He’d dismissed his personal staff and had left the premises, according to a neighbor, to go . . . where? To do what? See whom? Had he returned alone or