“I believe they do. Of course, I need to get it into a lab environment for a more thorough look. But I’m relatively certain that’s the case, and I thought it might be helpful to you in terms of identification.”

“Let’s hope so,” I tell him.

“In the coming days and weeks I’ll be consulting with Doctor Coblentz. We, as a team, may or may not be able to determine cause and/or manner or death. I can’t make any promises. We don’t have a whole lot to work with here, but we’ll certainly do our best.”

I offer my hand and we shake. “Thank you.”

“I must admit I enjoyed every minute.” He shakes hands with Tomasetti as well. “This promises to be a challenging and interesting case,” he tells us. “I’ll be in touch.”

Ten minutes later, I’m watching the taillights of the Prius disappear into the night, when Tomasetti approaches. He’s left the Tahoe running with the headlights on for illumination while the deputy breaks down the work lights.

“Wanna help me load the generator?” I ask.

“I thought you’d never ask.” He flexes his arm. “I never pass up an opportunity to show off my muscles to a woman I’m wildly attracted to.”

Rolling my eyes, I bend to the generator, wrap both hands around the handle, and wheel it toward the Explorer. It’s not easy; the generator weighs about 250 pounds, and I’m lugging it over clumpy grass, loose gravel, and areas of soft dirt. But I’m glad for the distraction. I’m still thinking about the scene with Paula Kester earlier. Her accusation still stings. I don’t want to talk about it, but I’m pretty sure Tomasetti’s going to bring it up.

I’ve dragged the generator only a few feet, when he usurps the handle and takes over. “You’re quiet,” he says.

“Just thinking,” I tell him.

“About Paula Kester?”

“Mostly about the remains.”

“Uh-huh.” He nods, guiding the generator around a muddy area. “You know Ohio has a Good Samaritan law, right?”

“I’m aware.” A statute in the Ohio Revised Code protects anyone who administers first aid to an injured party from liability. “But we both know there’s always some lawyer willing to argue the point.”

“She’s not going to get anywhere with a lawsuit.”

I want to tell him the possibility of a lawsuit isn’t what’s bothering me, but I let it go. “I didn’t want her arrested.”

“You don’t slug a cop in the face and walk away. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances and she may have been overcome with emotion, but she can tell it to the judge.”

“Tomasetti, you’re such a hard-ass.” But I soften the words with a smile.

We reach the Explorer. I fish my keys from my pocket and open the rear door. “She told me the baby had a neck injury,” I tell him. “If I hadn’t moved her, she might still be here.”

“If you hadn’t moved her and the gas had ignited, all of us would be at the morgue tonight. You used your best judgment, and I think you made the right call.”