Tuesday Tales: From a Picture

Well, we’ve made it through eight months of this difficult year. The last summer long weekend is behind us and the kids are heading back to school, either in person or online. God alone knows what the fall will bring.

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This is picture prompt week and all scenes are limited to 300 words. I’m continuing with The White Dahlia, Book four of the Harvester Files. Here’s the picture I used.

“I’m not imagining this, Sergeant. It’s as if some wild animal went after her,” Riley continued defending his words.

Beth frowned and shook her head. “Whatever you do, don’t repeat that to anyone else, understood? We have enough crazies in the area, and the damn press can sniff out weird stories. Whatever this is, we don’t want it to make the morning news. Right now, until we know any different, this is simply a body found by a dumpster. It may not even be a crime scene. People die of natural causes every day, even those living on the street, and in this heat, malnutrition and dehydration can be killers. The coroner will tell us what you found; until then, it’s useless to speculate.”

“But, Sarge, she’s naked, and her face and body, the color…”

Beth clenched her fists. “Riley, there’s a dumpster back there. It’s hot out. Someone could’ve stolen her clothes, although a naked body could be a case for Special Victims. If the body’s been there a while—and given the fact you can smell if from here—it has, it’ll attract animals. I saw a hoarder’s body after her cats got through with it.” She shook her head. “Not a pretty sight. I’d better get down there. And don’t worry about getting sick. You aren’t the first, and you won’t be the last. Some things are harder on the stomach than others. Get your partner and tape off this section of the street. Try to push the ‘concerned citizens’ to the other side of the road. I’ll let you know what’s what after I have a look at the body and talk to the M E.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Riley signaled to Chou, indicating he needed tape, and Beth left them to it.

That’s it. Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.