Murder in Misery (Spook Squad) - By Ashley K. Broome Page 0,29
time.”
“We don’t mind picking up the slack.” Leeroy teased as Keegan disappeared up the stairs she listened to Melinda mumbling and the entire room bursting out into laughter.
Keegan shook her head at the Medical Examiner’s personal office that sat adjacent to the autopsy suite. There were Christmas cards lining the door way. She even had set a string of multi-colored lights up along a bookcase. For a woman who appeared so harsh while out in the field only a few people knew how tender hearted Sarah Biggerson really was. It was what made her so good at her job. She needed to help the dead so they would receive the justice they deserved.
That attitude was probably the only reason Keegan was allowed down in the autopsy suite to complete the death ceremonies she did in order to help the victims of violent crimes move on.
Knocking lightly on the door Keegan waited for Dr. Biggerson to finish dictating the last bit of her notes before stepping entirely into the room.
Sarah pushed pause her recorder and stuck a post-it note to mark her spot before she stood up and stretched the kinks out of her back and gestured Keegan over to the cabinet she had kept most of Keegan’s supplies in. She unlocked the cabinet before digging out the bag and handing it over to Keegan.
They padded softly into the autopsy suite were the victims were waiting for Keegan. They were all three laid out on the cold steel tables, eyes closed and blue covering from their toes up to their necks.
“You know the rules.” Doctor Biggerson’s voice was a soft reminder as to what the department had set up. To disturb the bodies, in any way other than what the death ceremony required would result in her immediate termination.
“These are not rules I would break.” Keegan glanced up at Sarah. “You know that.”
To desecrate a body before putting the soul to rest was almost as if she were tearing the soul to pieces and setting it on a darker path. She wasn’t going to be the necromancer who did that. This ritual was something sacred. This moment, of letting the physical body be put to rest and letting the soul go should never have to be shared with the medical examiner and a detective. It should be shared with loved ones and a priest. Since a family ended up in Dr. Biggerson’s autopsy suite Keegan was the person who laid the souls to rest.
“I just have to remind you,” Dr. Biggerson held up her hands. “Its all part of the rules like me overseeing the ritual.”
Keegan began unpacking the bag of tools. She set the wooden bowl at the crown of Alice’s head and began mixing and crushing different herbs together. The herbs were used to protect and cleanse the soul was only the first step. Pouring rosemary scented oil into the mixture she mixed it together completely. She dipped her fingers into the oil and let her fingers trace patterns only a necromancer knew along the forehead.
Forgive the ill committed
Keegan traced the underside of the chin,
Forgive the mistakes made
Keegan let her fingers drag slowly at over the heart.
Protect the soul from the darkest of nights and deliver thee into safety.
Never shall we be alone. Brother, sister, father, mother. May these spirits guide you home.
The entire time she whispered her blessing for the spirit to move on, to find peace and continue their journey into the afterlife, not to linger any longer.
She repeated the steps with Cody Barr. Her voice was barely above a whisper as her fingertips danced feather light against cold skin. It was more difficult to repeat one last time on little Connor’s body but she did so.
Taking the last steps Doctor Biggerson blocked the smoke sensor with a paper cup they kept just for this reason. Keegan lit a bundle of sage, juniper and devil’s root waving the combination of burning herbs over the bodies. To cleanse, protect and keep evil away from the souls that were heading towards the afterlife.
As soon as she was done, Dr. Biggerson opened the autopsy suite doors and let the mixture of smoke mingle with the fresh air from her office. The smoke slowly dissipating as Keegan cleaned up her supplies and walked them back to cabinent that Sarah kept them in.
Sarah slouched in her chair and watched Keegan like a hawk. As soon as the door was shut and locked up tight Sarah started in on the detective. “I heard