“Without a doubt,” Jack whispered back. “Just stay cool.”

It took only a few minutes for the worried director to emerge from a side door accompanied by a pair of brawny men in suits who could have moonlighted as bouncers. The funeral director could have been from central casting, with his immaculate black suit, crisp white shirt, and pomaded, painstakingly combed hair. The only thing out of place was his complexion. He was tanned as if he’d just come back from a Florida vacation.

“My name is Gordon Strickland,” he said in a hushed tone. “I understand there is an emergency. How can we be of assistance?”

“My name is Dr. Jack Stapleton,” Jack said with all the authority he could muster. He held up his medical examiner badge in front of Gordon’s nose. “I’m a representative from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manhattan, Dr. Harold Bingham.”

Gordon tilted his head so he could see Jack around the medical examiner’s badge. “I’ve heard the name. How does this involve us here in Brooklyn?”

“I’ve been sent to view the body of Connie Davydov,” Jack said. “As well as to obtain some needed body fluid samples. I assume you got a call to that effect.”

“No, we didn’t get a call,” Gordon said. His upper lip began to twitch.

“Then I apologize for the surprise,” Jack said. “But we do have to see the body.” He took a step forward in the direction of a pair of double doors heading into the center of the building.

“Just a minute!” Gordon said, holding up his hand. “Who are these other gentlemen?”

“This is Warren Wilson,” Jack said while nodding toward Warren. “He is my assistant. This other gentleman is Frank Thomas, the brother of the deceased.” Jack couldn’t help wonder how all this was going to play, since both his friends were clothed in a modified hip-hop style. Warren certainly didn’t look professional by any stretch of the imagination.

“I don’t understand,” Gordon said. “The body was released to a Mr. Davydov. He’s not contacted us about this situation either.”

“We’re investigating a potential homicide,” Jack said. “New information has come available.”

“Homicide?” Gordon repeated. The frequency of the twitch increased.

“Indeed,” Jack said. He started forward again, forcing Gordon to back up. “Now if you’ll just direct us to your cooler or wherever you keep your newly arrived bodies, we’ll do our thing and be on our way.”

“The body is in the embalming room,” Gordon said. “We’ve been awaiting Mr. Davydov’s instructions. He was supposed to call once it got here.”

“Then we’ll view the body in the embalming room,” Jack said. “It’s all the same to us.”

Nonplussed, Gordon turned around and pushed through the double doors. Jack, Warren, and Flash followed. Gordon’s silent minions brought up the rear.