“Morning. I won’t keep you long.”

“No need to rush. Would you like to sit?” He motioned to the table.

After a fraction of a second, she nodded. “For a few minutes.”

She wanted out of here fast.

Why?

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon—not that I’m complaining.” He joined her at the table, striving for a welcoming tone.

She ignored his personal inference and laced her fingers on the polished surface in front of her. “I have two reasons for stopping by.”

Man, she was all business today.

“You have my full attention.”

“First, I’ve spent hours combing through the death records and autopsies from the past two years for this county and the adjacent ones. I found a handful of people who fit my parameters. An autopsy was ordered for one of them, but after reviewing my notes, I didn’t spot anything suspicious. Bottom line, I’m no closer to figuring out the link between Fred and Mavis.”

“It was a worthy effort, though. I applaud your diligence.”

She dismissed his compliment with a flick of her wrist. “I don’t like trails that lead nowhere—and I sense we’re missing crucial information. Here’s what I’d like to propose. I’m going to talk to the sheriffs in the counties where the people I’ve identified lived. If there’s another death that fits my parameters—and I’ll email those to everyone—I’d like to be called before the body is removed.”

“You want to come to the scene?”

“Yes.”

“In a rural area like this, very few deaths are suspicious enough to warrant an on-site visit by the pathologist—unless the pathologist is a medical examiner.” A rare occurrence in less-populated counties, where elected coroners like funeral director Russ determined the manner of death when they weren’t doing their day jobs.

“I realize that. I’m not saying I’ll spot anything anyone else wouldn’t, but another pair of eyes can’t hurt.”

“Those calls can come in at all hours.”

“I was a medical student once.” She flashed him the hint of a dimple. “Trust me, I’m used to weird hours.”

“In that case, I’m fine with your request. I doubt Russ will have any objections, either.”

“Thanks.” Her knuckles whitened, and the tension in the room ratcheted up. “That brings me to the second reason for my visit. I only looked closely at documents for the past twenty-four months, but I did scan the ones in this county further back—and I came across your brother’s autopsy report.” Distress clouded her hazel irises. “I want to apologize for not remembering the name, making the connection, and offering my condolences.”

He stared at her.

She was upset because she hadn’t linked him to an autopsy she’d done three years ago?

Good grief.

What impossible standards did this woman hold herself to?

He leaned forward, locking on to her gaze. “With all the autopsies you’ve done in your job, Grace, I never expected you to remember the name.”

“But meeting you should have reminded me.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “His autopsy was one of the first ones I did here, and it was tragic. I remember it clearly, even if the name didn’t stick.”