After Will left, my mother soon came in furious about what I'd done, but my mind was set, and no one could sway me.
I was discharged from the hospital, and we were on our way home.
Ali: I watched the streets and surroundings as my mother drove.
"Mom, Roberts?"
Violetta: He's at work. He's been helping to take care of you.
Ali: "Mom, are you happy with him?"
Violetta: Yes, very happy. He's a good man. As you’re driving…
Ali: Dad visited me at the hospital.
Violetta: Only once.
"Are you sure about what you're doing?"
Ali: Yes, I want to know the truth.
Violetta: My heart says she didn't do it. But promise me you'll take care of yourself and call me every day. If you find out anything or if you're in danger, come home. You know I love you, and I couldn't stand to lose you.
Ali: I promise, Mom. (smiles)
When we got home, my mother handed me a box with a new phone with my same number, and some of my friends were there as a welcome-back celebration.
I was having a good time until William called wanting to talk. I called a taxi and went to his apartment. I knocked on the door until he opened it.
William: Hey, come in. (He opened the door wider for me.)
"I wanted to look for you after you were discharged, but I wanted to give you space. Are you sure about what you're going to do?"
Ali: Yes, now more than ever.
I watched him go to the kitchen counter and grab a manila envelope.
William: I spoke with my father.
He managed to get you the job since there’s no coroner. They quit, he said, handing me the envelope.
Ali: Quit? (puzzled)
William: Quit after your sister’s autopsy. There’s a copy of the autopsy report.
Ali: (I open the envelope, take out the papers and start to read.) This report... it's incomplete. There are many missing details about the victim, gastric content results, urine tests, if there's any evidence of drugs in her blood... This is very strange, there are many inconsistencies.
Information
FORENSIC REPORT from the Denver Institute of Legal Medicine Requested by: Denver Judicial Authority Purpose of the report: Opinion on cause of death Alana Morgan Smith Location: Denver Date of report: June 7, 2022, at 10:00 AM Forensic Medical Examiner: Esteban Saez
Preamble: The body was found at dawn on June 7, 2022, hanging from a rope in the garden. By the time of the body's removal (10:00 AM), when taken down, it is seen that the rope is 2mm thick and the knot is situated at the back of the neck. Entering the house, it was found in complete order. No farewell note from the deceased was found. The last contact has a clean call history.
External examination: The body was found hanging, shoeless, wearing a lilac dress revealing scratches and bruises on the arms, fixed ante mortem. General characteristics: Name of the deceased: Alana Morgan Smith Height and weight: 1.62m and 60kg Build: Slender Hair: Dark brown Age: 26 years Marital status: Single Distinguishing marks: A moon tattoo on her left wrist. There are no visible signs of dehydration on the skin or in the mucous membranes except for Stenon Louis's sign, being found with eyes open. Fixed lividity is located on the neck area, suggesting a time from 12 to 16 hours post-mortem. Rigor mortis is challenging to overcome and there is tongue protrusion due to the swelling tongue pushing against the teeth. There are grooves on the neck, and a bit of blood in the ears. Reddish lividity is found on the extremities, concentrated in the distal regions. The mouth shows foamy edema and there is pallor and petechial skin rashes on the face. After removing the rope, It is established that it was a complete hanging—the body was in full suspension, symmetrical with the knot right at the back of the head, and typical due to the position at the back of the neck. The rope used is a hard one which produced hard furrows.
Cause of death: Suicide
Ali: It can't be right; they’re withholding information. There’s no autopsy, only a description of finding her body. Sometimes, in viewing a victim, we must look beyond. Sometimes, one detail changes everything.
Now everything’s clear. Someone is going through a lot of trouble to hide things, and it’s suspicious that the coroner resigned. (using air quotes)
The scratches could have been defensive wounds. I know my sister was a fighter; she would fight until her last second.
I collapsed on the couch, crying. Will’s arms enveloped me until I calmed down.
"I think I should go. Thanks for helping me, as always."
While he took my hand.
William: Wait, take this—it’s a plane ticket to England for the day after tomorrow. I will wait for you, but if you don’t come, I’ll take that flight without you, and that will be your decision. But stay with me tonight.
Ali: I just looked at him and caressed his face while he kissed my hand. Then I approached him and we lost ourselves in a kiss that gradually intensified until we were wrapped in pleasure, eventually falling asleep.
I rose before dawn, dressed, took my things, and looked at him one last time, leaving the plane ticket on the nightstand so he'd know not to wait for me.
With the coroner's papers in hand, I left, ready to pack and seek the truth behind my sister's death...
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