MANX Enterprises, Ltd.

© 2018 MANX Enterprises, Ltd.

    “I’ll be the one to determine that along with the local fire marshal.”  He shot back.     The man’s eyes narrowed.  He moved forward, the morning sun glinting off his badge.             “You   all   don't   understand.     This   here’s   a   sensitive   situation.     The   house   belonged   to   one   of ours   and   Ah'm   work'n   this   case   with   orders   from   the   highest   authority.      Ah   have   backup come'n   soon   to   secure   this   site.      Either   you   do   your   investigat'n   under   my   supervision   or   we all get someone else to do it while you spend some quality time with mah people.”             The   Medical   Examiner   took   a   step   back.      “Look.      I’m   as   patriotic   as   the   next   man,   but   I received no notification about this.”             “Well,   Ah’m   notify’n   you   now.      Do   your   work   here   and   then   take   the…what   was   once   a body…and   do   your   autopsy.      The   fire   marshal   will   come   on   site   and   do   her   work   separate from   you.      Ah   have   only   two   thangs   to   say.      First,   do   a   very   thorough   study   of   the   site.     Gatha   any   remain'n   tis-sues   for   confirm’n   a   match   to   that   there   body.      Second,   do   not   speak to   an-yone   or   release   any   information   you   gain   from   the   site   or   the   autopsy   til   after   ah   give you   permission.      We   all   tell   you   when   and   what   you   can   say.      The   rest   of   the   work   you   do accord'n   to   your   protocols.      We   ain't   look’n   to   cover   up   noth’n   but   the   situation’s   sensitive.     You do understand?”             The   medical   examiner   nodded   his   head.      “Okay.      We   do   a   thorough   investigation according to protocol, full autopsy, then hold the information for review by your office.”     "You here got it!”            The   gaunt   man   started   towards   a   gleaming   black   sedan   half   hidden   in   the   growing   light   of dawn.     As   he   passed   by,   he   moved   in   close   to   the   Medical   Examiner   causing   him   to   recoil   in frightened disgust.             ‘Something   unsettling   about   that   man.’      He   thought   as   he   watched   the   car   pull   away.      ‘And that   badge!      Couldn’t   quite   make   out   the   name   of   his   agency   in   the   low   light;   only   the   letters USSF.’             “Hmm.      And   that   name?      Sounds   fake.”      He   breathed   to   himself.      Shrugging   it   off,   he turned back to the van.             "Okay   Boyd,   let’s   get   things   rolling.      We’ve   already   got   six   bodies   waiting   for   us   back   at the morgue so it’s going to be a long day.”     With that, he moved toward the charred remains.