The Shark (Forgotten Files Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

At the base of the tree was the body of a young woman. Her head was slumped forward, sending long dark hair cascading over her face and breasts. Her neatly manicured hands rested in her lap, making her look almost polite, demure.
    “Shit, the sight of her still makes me sick. I’ll never forget this. I saw dead bodies when I was in the navy, but it was never a girl like this.”
    “Have you touched her or moved her in any way?”
    He held up bent hands. “Hell, no. I’m not going near that.”
    “Stay here.”
    “Suits me fine.”
    Riley tugged on latex gloves, moving through the brush with Cooper. A sick, sweet scent wafted around her, a harbinger of the pungent scent of decomposition.
    She knelt and touched the girl’s wrist. Cold, stiff, and no pulse. By her looks she was young, not more than twenty. Faded jeans skimmed over slim hips and a peasant blouse clung to full breasts. There were no signs of trauma to the body, but as much as Riley wanted to tip back the cascade of hair and search for a cause of death, she’d leave that for the forensic team.
    Rising, she clicked her radio on. “This is Trooper Tatum. I have visual on a young female victim. You can check with county, but I’m sure they’ll need the state lab to do the forensic collection.” She patrolled in a small rural county policed by a handful of deputies. They had the capability of collecting some forensic data, but a case like this would require more support.
    She and Cooper walked back toward Mr. Hudson. “Do you have any idea who this girl might be?”
    “Never saw her.”
    “Have you seen anyone else in this area since you arrived?”
    “Nope, just me.”
    “When’s the last time you were on the land?”
    Hudson scratched his gray beard on his chin. “Two or three days ago, and I didn’t see her.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Damn straight. I wouldn’t miss that .” He rubbed his eyes as if trying to erase the girl’s image. “This is the last problem I expected.”
    “Have you noticed any unfamiliar cars in the area?”
    “No. Business as usual.”
    Long stretches of desolate country road didn’t mean traffic went unnoticed. Someone usually saw something.
    He pulled a handkerchief and wiped his brow with fingers bent of age and arthritis. “Do you mind if I get out of here? Seeing her gives me the creeps.”
    “Mr. Hudson, I’d like you to wait in your truck for a little bit longer. The local deputies might have questions for you.”
    “I’ve got work.” He shook his head. “I’m counting on the money from the lease of the land. This contract will settle a lot of bills.”
    “Yes, sir, I understand. But you need to wait.”
    “How long do you think it’ll be before I can cut this grass?”
    “I don’t know, sir, but you need to wait.”
    He shook his head again. “Jesus H. Christ. What a mess.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    As he slid into his truck, a sheriff’s deputy arrived, nudging behind her SUV.
    The responding deputy rose out of his car and settled his hat on his head. Riley recognized Deputy Harris DuPont’s tall, lanky frame. They’d crossed paths over the years, and each time he made it clear he didn’t like outsiders in his jurisdiction.
    DuPont paused at the red truck to talk to Mr. Hudson. He laughed, touched the brim of his hat before settling his gaze on Riley.
    As DuPont approached her, she adjusted her sunglasses, determined to make nice. “Harris, been a while. Molly and the baby doing well?”
    He cleared his throat, his gaze skimming over her. A shake of his head betrayed disapproval. “They’re both fine.”
    “Good to hear.”
    “Saw you and your dog on the news. You’re the popular one.” An edge lurked under his tone.
    Absently, she tapped her finger on her gun belt. “Won’t be long before we’re yesterday’s news.”
    He hitched his big hands on his belt. “Naw. Not you.” His smile didn’t mask the sarcasm. “I bet they promote you to agent within the year.”
    She’d