The Autopsy

LISA had started staying in Hugh's house since he left for the station. Robin interrogated people, mostly her friends and whoever they suspected or hinted at.

She was still alone in the house. Hugh hadn't come back and she didn't want to go back to her own house. The police would still be there and she didn't think she would be able to stand the fact that they were there because of her close friend's murder.

She was sipping on a drink when she heard the doorbell. She walked and opened it to see Sandra. She looked around and noticed Sandra had come alone.

She was surprised at this because she knew Sandra was always with Erik. They worked side by side and if one didn't know they worked together, one would think they were dating. Though if one would spend just a few minutes with them, that idea would be burnt from their memory. Sandra always treated Erik poorly and she was always baffled as to why he was still working with them.

The image of Sandra standing in front of her unmoved made her wonder, could it be that Sandra was here just to visit her, but that would be rare and how did she know she was at Hugh's house unless she actually came to visit Hugh. Lisa got her questions cleared when Sandra spoke.

"I guess Gwendolyn was right.", Sandra said.

"Excuse me?", Lisa asked confused.

"She had said you obviously wouldn't be staying in your house given that it's right next to a murder scene so you would either be in Raven's house or with your boyfriend.", Sandra said.

"What do you want?", Lisa asked. She didn't like Sandra because she was always involving herself in issues that didn't concern her. She took buck-nosing to a whole new level.

"Wouldn't you at least let me in? I'm sure you haven't forgotten your manners."

"Oh sure.", Lisa said forcing a smile and shifting for Sandra to enter.

Sandra sauntered into the house as if she owned it. The house was a bungalow, but a wide one and had more space than Lisa and Sarah's.

Lisa closed the door and sat on the couch opposite the one Sandra sat on.

"So would you get straight to the point and say what you're..."

"Certainly, there's something to offer. I would like a drink, just like the one you have.", Sandra said and when Lisa didn't move she added. "I am your guest, you should have the decency to treat me like one.", she added.

Lisa sighed and reluctantly left. "I would like something sweet though to even out your sour reception.", Sandra called out and seconds later, Lisa was back with a glass of chilled fruit drink.

"Ah yes.", Sandra said and gulped out of it which reduced it to half.

"What do you want?", Lisa asked again.

"Yes, I'm sure you of all people are aware of the huge tragedy that has struck this town. By the way, I'm sorry for your loss. Anyways, it's my job, as a worker of the register, to let the people know of what goes on in their town. To share the truth to the people.", Sandra said sounding like she was doing some glorified duty.

"Your point is?",

"I'm here to know what you have witnessed so it would be part of the article which would be the front page headline tomorrow.",

"I'm sorry but I won't be telling you anything. I've told the Sheriff all I know and there is no reason for me to tell you anything.", Lisa said trying to keep her anger in check.

She had just lost a friend and this person was telling her to relive it just for what, an article.

"Obviously the Sheriff doesn't want to tell us anything apart from the fact that they're working on it.", she said mimicking the Sheriff in the last part of her statement.

"So? Isn't that enough information?", Lisa asked.

"No, that is no information. And I came here to meet you for standard information, viewing it from the person who reported the murder.", Sandra paused and looked intently at Lisa.

"Unless", she started. "You know more than you're letting on and you're afraid you'll let something slip when you start talking to me.", Sandra said and Lisa stood up not being able to take anymore.

"Sandra I have served and treated you as a guest like you requested and I would now politely ask you to leave 'cause I wouldn't be answering any of your questions.", Lisa snapped.

Sandra stared at her for a while before she finished up the drink and stood.

"You're most definitely hiding something. Thanks for the drink anyways and I think you should learn more about receiving guests, I can...."

"Out", Lisa said furiously pointing at the door.

Sandra sighed and turned to leave. Lisa took in a deep breath and sat down before closing her eyes. The image of last night flashed and she shot her eyes open.

Muttering to herself that everything would be fine, she headed toward the kitchen to make something for herself.

》》》》》

It was evening and after a long day of questioning and not having any sort of lead, Robin was almost dosing off when his phone rang. He sat up and answered.

"Good evening Sheriff, it's Kayla from Forensics.", Kayla who worked in the hospital said.

"Yes.",

"The autopsy reports are out. Would you be coming over to get it?", she asked.

"Yeah sure, I'm on my way now.", Robin said before hanging up.

This could be good, it would show some things that he might not get from the crime scene. He wouldn't have a suspect yet but he would know just what type of murder case he was looking at judging by the details it would reveal.

So he hurried off to get the reports. He arrived there minutes later as it wasn't too far from the station and he took his car. He greeted the nurse at the reception and headed to Doctor Kayla's office. He knocked and after hearing her response, he entered.

"Ah. Sheriff nice to meet you.", she said getting a file from her drawers.

"Same.", he said sitting down.

"So here are the reports. Her stomach showed signs of bruise meaning she was punched so I reckon she must have put up a fight. Her cheeks looked like they had been slapped too. Her head showed signs of trauma, indicating that it was either punched, slammed or hit with something. Whoever it was must have probably fought with her and finally found something to kill her. The source of the blood was her neck.

She was stabbed deeply with something I think was wood seeing that we found specks of it around the neck injury and that sealed her fate. From the way the injuries look. It must have taken few minutes or thereabout that Miss Nether found the body as the injuries seemed fresh when our men reached the scene.", Kayla said and pushed the file over.

Robin sat there, stunned. For someone to have punched her that meant two things. It's either the person who came intending to kill her and Sarah put up a fight or they were arguing and things got out of hand which resulted in the murder.

"Sheriff?"

"Hmn",

"Do you have any suspects?", Kayla asked.

"No, we only know her boyfriend was the second to the last person who saw her and the last was some mysterious person, whose identity is unknown.", he replied.

"Please find whoever did this. I wouldn't want to think if it was a serial killer we had on the loose. The worst thing that could happen is if the person strikes again. We cannot afford for that to happen.", Kayla said sounding very worried and he nodded.

"By the way do you have any way of contacting her relatives?", Kayla asked.

"I know she was the only child of her parents and that they're late so not much luck there.", Robin trailed on then he continued.

"Don't worry McGruh, I will try my very best to find this person and put them behind bars for good before another person has this fate.", he said and bade goodbye, carrying the file with him.

Now, he wasn't just going to go around asking who was were. He had to find out who was annoyed with Sarah, who had a problem with her and who didn't want her in the town.

He decided to call Lisa given that she was Sarah's closest friend and could know something. It rang but took a while before she answered.

"Lisa good evening.", he started.

"Good evening, is everything alright? Have you found anything?", Lisa asked.

"Yes, I'm just coming back from Doctor Kayla with the autopsy report. It shows she was punched and would have probably been in a fight."

"Oh my"

"So I was wondering if you knew anyone who had recently argued with Sarah. Or anyone who had an issue with her.", Robin said and from the silence, it was evident she was thinking.

After a while, she spoke, "I don't know of anyone. But I'll ask my friends and we'll talk about it."

"Okay", Robin said.

"But Robin, I think you might find some information if you drop by the Pub. Maybe someone had said something.", Lisa said.

And it was as if she could sense he was going to oppose 'cause she continued.

"I know you and Rohan haven't been on good terms but you could get something from there. And it could be helpful.", Lisa said and now it was Robin who was silent

"I'll think about it, by the way, you tell me whenever you get any information.", Robin said.

"Yeah sure and thanks, Robin."

"It's for Sarah. She didn't deserve this", he said and after saying goodbye, they hung up.

Robin was about to make the turn into the road that led to his street when he abruptly stopped, groaning loudly, he turned and headed in the direction of the Pub.

It took him fifteen minutes before he arrived. He walked in and most people looked at him and immediately started whispering. The last time he stepped in here was years ago and everyone was wondering what he was doing here now.

He sat down and the person Rohan just served turned to meet him when Rohan left.

"Sheriff, it's a pleasure to meet you.", the man said and Robin recognised him as James who worked on the construction site.

"Yeah, James pleasure is mine."

"So you're finally ready to bury the hatchet aren't ya?", James asked.

"No just here for a drink.", Robin said and told Rohan his order.

"C'mon sheriff, it's The Lidden Pub, you don't come here just for a drink.", he said and when Robin didn't answer he sighed.

"Okay. I'll leave you two to it.", James said and left so it was just Robin and Rohan at the counter.

"You know he's right. You can't come here only for a drink.", Rohan said and Robin took a large gulp from his jug.

It took a while for Robin to think of what to say. It wasn't that he hated his cousin. He did, but right now he was finding it hard to talk to him.

"I'm listening to what you have to say.", Rohan said and Robin shot him a look.

"I'm not here to discuss that.", he spat.

"I'm working on a case.", he paused. "A murder case.", he added and Rohan came closer.

"You mean the one of that Sarah lady, oh Lord bless her soul. I doubted it when I heard, but I know the words that go around in this Pub are true.", Rohan said.

"So you've heard something.", Robin said.

"Nothing as much to tell the Sheriff.",

"And how do I know you're not hiding the killer."

"Robin you think so low of me.", Rohan said.

"And why wouldn't I.",

"I thought you said you weren't going to discuss that.", Rohan said saying it the way Robin had.

"Yeah, I wasn't. 'Cause I know you're still the same cheating old..."

"If you're going to insult me, I'd rather it best you leave. Now.", Rohan seethed and now the whole Pub was silent listening to what Robin would say.

Robin screeched his chair loudly as he stood. He dropped the money which was more than the amount he was meant to pay.

"Keep the change.", Robin said but Rohan spoke before he could turn around.

"If you're gonna drop more than, you can as well just go with your money.", Rohan said angrily.

"I don't want to owe you anything",

"Neither do I.", Rohan said and everyone listened again to what Robin would say or do.

Robin sighed and collected his money. And without a backward glance, he left

Wow. Things are really strained. I could literally feel the tension from where I was. Can you come up with anything that could have made them both angry which each other?

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