I glanced briefly at it and saw a lot of scientific jargon. Bottom line, there’s actually a physiological difference between the process of drowning in salt water and in freshwater. Also, they tested the fluid in his lungs for saline content. Definitely not river water. Scanning further, I saw other details noted.

“Internal temperature suggests time of death may have been several hours before the discovery of the body,” Cody said helpfully. “Which corroborates your undines’ testimony.”

“He had scratch marks on his back.” I looked up. “And they found scales under his fingernails?”

He nodded.

For a brief, sickening moment, I thought of Lurine. She wouldn’t do that, would she? I was pretty sure she wouldn’t. And if she would, why would she have helped me with the investigation?

Reaching across the table, Detective Wilkes turned a page for me. “The ME’s office consulted with a biology professor at Western,” he said. “He identified them as fish scales, but he couldn’t pinpoint the species. On his recommendation, we’re sending them to an expert ichthyologist. Hopefully, that will help narrow down our search.” He tapped the page. “For now, we’re thinking fish tanks.”

I let out my breath. “Fish tanks?”

“Any other ideas?”

“No,” I said honestly. Snake scales would have been bad; snake scales might have meant a lamia, or the lamia. As far as I knew, there was only one. I was just glad it wasn’t snake scales. “And I don’t see how this connects with the ghouls.”

“Ghouls?” Again with the blank look.

This time it was the chief who coughed. “We have a statement from an eyewitness—that is, a human eyewitness—confirming that two of the boys were seen at the Wheelhouse two weeks prior looking for a ghoul known as Ray D. The victim was found with a Wheelhouse matchbook in his pocket, and an illegible number on it. And if I understand correctly, Miss Johanssen’s undines tentatively identified two of the party in the boat as ghouls.”

“Also, one of them attacked me last night,” I added. The chief shot me a dumbstruck look. “I’m not sure if it’s related.”

“Sorry, sir,” Cody murmured. “I didn’t have time to report it.”

Detective Wilkes scribbled in a leather-bound notebook. “Okay, okay,” he muttered to himself. “Got a bit of a learning curve here.” He glanced up at us. “I’ve never worked a case with a—what do you call it?—eldritch angle before. You’re going to have to bring me up to speed on a few things.”

“Where do you want to start?” I asked.

He tossed the question back to me. “Where do you want to start?”

I patted my straw satchel, emboldened by the presence of dauda-dagr inside it. “I’d like to have a few words with the new head ghoul.”

“So would I,” Cody said in a flat tone.