Semua Bab Examining the Dead Got Me Branded a Cheater: Bab 1 - Bab 10

"Evan, you've already put the department's year-end reviews at risk, and people online are at the station demanding answers," said Harry Langford, the police chief.His face hardened, and he slammed the table.Outside the station, crowds held up banners that read, "Unethical medical examiner Evan Mercer", "Violates the deceased's privacy", and "Re-victimizing the deceased".Online, the calls for me to leave the department kept piling up.I held my ground. "Chief Langford, I followed protocol that day when I performed the autopsy. The injuries were in the private area, and as the medical examiner, I had to examine that first—"The police captain, Claire Sutton, entered and cut me off. "Chief Langford, the crowd outside calling for Evan to be kicked out of the department keeps growing. We should issue a notice of disciplinary action against him immediately."She shot me a sidelong look, her eyes ice-cold. "Do you still think you did nothing wrong? Marrying someone this sanctimoniou

Julian scoffed and started holding court. "Don't worry. I'll handle your daughter. I'm nothing like him. I'll make sure her privacy is fully respected!"Seeing the family's cold stares, I was done. I was resigning anyway. The case was no longer my concern.I turned to leave when Claire arrived with her squad and barked, "Evan, Julian's about to start the autopsy. Go assist him at the table. I didn't demote you so you could loaf on the department's dime!"Hearing that, Julian stuck out his left leg and ordered, "Clean my shoes, Evan. And fetch two basins of water for handwashing. You know the rules about keeping the autopsy room sterile, right?"I snorted. "Happy to."I grabbed the floor rag, shoved it into his mouth, and punched him a couple of times until I heard his jaw pop."You lunatic! Evan Mercer! Stop!"Claire leveled her gun at my head and said coldly, "Jules put you on as his assistant, and you attack him? You must have a death wish."A chill shot down my back. I could

Obviously, the task force had everyone at the department on edge. A serial killer targeting young women was more than enough to rattle the city.With the task force bearing down, the department was probably in a full-blown panic.Claire's shriek drilled into my ear. "Evan! Stop playing dead and get on a plane now!"I held the phone away and said, "First, we're divorced, so you don't get to boss me around. Second, I already quit the force. I'm just a civilian now. The department's mess isn't my problem."Far as I can tell, you're the ones asking me for help. When you need a favor, you drop the attitude."Claire paused, then I heard her slam the phone in fury. "Evan! Drop the attitude! You think the department can't run without you? I couldn't care less if you come back. Rot out there for all I care! I'm never begging you!"I cut the line, sank into the lounger, eyes on the shoreline, a grin tugging at my lips. They really couldn't crack the case without me.…Barely two days lat

This was a huge honor. On an HQ task force, every member was either a genius or someone who simply outworked everyone else.There weren't many government-sanctioned task forces, and Tyler's was the best in the country. With them on a case, nothing remained unsolved.The other members laughed and chimed in, "Professor Robinson hardly ever reaches out like that. We've all heard about your earlier situation.""To us, the deceased aren't about gender. You did nothing wrong.""Now isn't the time. Once the case is closed, we'll report Chief Langford and Captain Sutton to HQ for disciplinary action."I was genuinely moved and rose to thank everyone. "Thanks for believing in me. I'd like some time to consider joining the task force. Let's deal with the case at hand first."I'll complete the remaining autopsies tonight and submit a thorough report. I hope we can break this case soon."…I'd just finished the report and was about to drop it off at Tyler's office when Claire showed up. "O

I sat down, nice and calm. "No need to rush me out. We deserve an explanation, right? Let's sit for a bit and get this sorted today."Claire frowned and called in her team to throw me out.Just then, a joyous shout came from the hallway. "Professor Robinson and his team have caught the suspect! The case is finally solved!"The task force filed into the office.Tyler gave me an approving nod. "Well done. You didn't let me down."As expected, Tyler had noticed something was off long ago. He hadn't told me right away because he wanted to test the chemistry between me and the task force.Luckily, with years of casework behind me, I caught on fast.I looked at Harry and Claire and asked coldly, "With Professor Robinson standing right here, are you still going to cover for Julian?"Harry was visibly rattled. He forced a show of calm as he reached to shake Tyler's hand. "You guys are the real task force, solving the case so quickly. We were even considering assigning additional person