The majority of the county municipal buildings were located in a large complex. Brody drove a quarter mile down the road, passed the ME’s office, and parked in front of the CSI unit. Vinnie was waiting for him. Olive complexioned, with black hair and eyes, he looked Sicilian enough to be confused with a Corleone. Vinnie sported a five o’clock shadow by noon.

“Thanks for calling.” Brody followed him down to the forensics lab. “What do you have for me?”

“Hair. Some of these samples were found on the victim’s clothing. Others came from the body.” Vinnie crossed to the countertop. He opened a cardboard box and removed a slide. He held it between his fingertips. A single strand of long brown hair was coiled on the slide. “That’s the victim’s hair.” Vinnie exchanged the slide for another. “This is a different person’s hair.”

The sample was short and blond. Brody stepped away from the counter. “Be nice if we had a suspect to match that to.”

“That’s your job.” Vinnie removed another slide.

“Can you extract DNA?”

“Possibly. But that’s not all I have for you.”

Brody glanced down at a short black hair between the thin sheets of glass. “More hair?”

Vinnie shook his head. “Dog fur. We found fur from at least six different dogs. We haven’t analyzed them for specific breed yet,” Vinnie grinned. “But either she really loves dogs . . .”

“Or maybe she works with them.” Ideas reeled through Brody’s head. She could work for a dog groomer, vet, animal shelter, or she visited some place where she was exposed to numerous animals.

“That’s all I have for now.” Vinnie stepped away from the microscope. “But I’m still sorting through the trace evidence. I’ll call you if I come up with anything else that’s interesting.”

“Thanks.” Brody left the lab and went back to the police station. He knocked on the chief’s door.

“Come in,” the chief answered.

Brody pushed through.

Chief Horner leaned back and gave Brody his full attention as he succinctly explained what Vinnie had found.

“Let’s get this done quickly,” the chief said. “Pull a patrol officer to help you chase down this lead.”

“Who would you like me to use?” Brody asked.

“Officer Dane came to mind first.”

“Any specific reason?” Brody rested a fist on his hip.

“As the first officer on scene, she’s the most familiar with the case.” The chief nodded. “Do you think she’s detective material?”

A small tinge of sadness eased through Brody. The chief was considering Chet’s replacement. As much as he’d rather work alone, he had to be realistic. He needed help. Chet’s career was over, and the second detective slot needed to be filled. Someone was getting promoted. “I do. Her attention to detail is excellent.”