Gavin paced silently for a few moments, as if taking everything in. “Val, I think we’re ready for you to go ahead and start the exam of the mother. Gabrielle’s body will have far more to tell us about this crime than her son. He’s the only one at this moment that we can confirm is a victim.”

Val moved to the mother and began inspecting that body, happy that Gavin was keeping a double murder option open, at least for now. “No obvious sign of trauma.” She looked up at both detectives. “Honestly, she looks like she’s sleeping.”

“Can you roll her over a little? I want to see the back of the gown,” Gavin said.

Val took hold of the body and pulled it forward. Smeared blood patterns were evident on her back.

“It’s all simple transfer,” Warren said. It’s consistent with what’s already on the altar.”

Gavin crossed his arms. “The fact that the blood was there first is important. What we know is that she was either placed there or got up on the altar after her son died. At this point, Gabrielle Morgan is still either a victim or a murderer.”

“The altar is only about three feet high,” Warren commented as he came closer. Val watched his eyes travel from mother to son. “I have a bad feeling about this one, Mitch. I hate to say it, but my gut is screaming Mom was looking to end it all and decided to take her kid with her. Really, as far as suicide goes, there’s nothing about the condition of the body that she couldn’t have done to herself. She easily could have gotten up here, then placed the duct tape over her own mouth and then duct taped the branches to her hands.”

“She certainly could have,” Gavin said. “Val, can you preserve the tape so we can check for fingerprints and trace evidence on the underside. We also need to see how the tape was wound around her hands, if she could have done it herself.”

Val nodded and pulled out a roll of clear plastic wrap to seal the victim’s hands and head. The plastic would keep the evidence contained and uncompromised during transport. Val moved to the head first, then suddenly stopped. Something wasn’t right. The mother’s cheeks appeared full. Val took a pair of tweezers out of her supply bag and teased the duct tape back, then grabbed a small flashlight. Parting the woman’s lips, she shone the light inside. Val shot back, shocked, then parted the lips again and inched in as close as she could. “There’s something in here.”

“In her mouth? Something’s in her mouth?” Gavin said as he and Warren moved closer too, making sure to stay away from the bloody spurts around the altar. “What is it?”

“Looks like…seeds.” Val said, almost as a question.