The Gift
Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 8.2
copyright comidacomida 2018
Kyle spoke up again. "Ashton lives just a few blocks from here... I bet his mom could come pick you up AND let your folks know you're okay..."
Tom frowned. "It is not the same. She should be with her parents-- they will want to see her to know for certain."
Medved placed one paw defiantly on his hip. "She can call them on the way to the hospital and they can meet us there."
Anapa said nothing; he merely continued to switch his gaze between me and the paramedics, who were closing up their ambulance and getting ready to hit the road. As usual, it was up to me, so I chose to stick with Anapa's first suggestion. "We're going after the coroner... it's not like he's going very far. Come on."
Although Kyle had a point about Ashton's house, the Coroner's office was actually closer-- just three blocks. Although Medved continued to express his concern about my health, those objections lessened over the course of the short walk; I wasn't limping, I wasn't in any pain, and I had no trouble maintaining my balance. Although the Raven said nothing, I could tell he was smirking to reiterate that he had a solid case as to the quality of my Guardians... and I agreed.
The Coroner's office was located in a two block area of town dedicated to city and county buildings and, even though the sign was non-descript, it was street-facing and easy to see. I was also relieved to notice that the office was open for another hour. Considering I was able to take a direct route, I actually arrived at the same time as the coroner, who had been in a van. I jogged across the parking lot to catch him before he got into the building.
The county's coroner was an older man... maybe late fifties or early sixties. He wore those old, thick black plastic framed glasses that were so popular in the 50s and dressed like he was a lower level manager businessman from a same-era sitcom. Calling out, I realized that couldn't remember his name. "Um... hello? Sir?"
Having been looking at his cell on his way toward the side entrance he looked up. "Ah... Ms... Brenner, right?"
It was one of those moments I dreaded: someone recognized me and I didn't remember who they were. I offered what I hoped was a friendly smile but I'm sure it came across as sheepish. "Yes... that's me."
Although his friendly nature remained, his face took on a softer expression. "I'm very sorry about your brother."
He was direct, which helped me get past that initial awkwardness. Clearing my throat, I got to the point. "I was hoping you'd have a copy of the... um... report-- of Billy's report after-- you know... his accident."
He nodded, opening up the side door to the building and gesturing me in. I stepped inside and he followed in after me, speaking as he went to lead me down the hall. "Well, Ms. Brenner, I completed his file and submitted it to local law enforcement and the state examiner's office. Your parents already received a copy, if memory serves."
Tom, who had been following along behind me spoke plainly. "More bureaucracy. He is going to tell you to contact a central office."
Pushing the thought aside, I continued after the coroner. "Do you have a copy I could see please? It's important."
He stopped outside a simple wooden door with the title "County Coroner" on a plastic sign and looked back at me. "You can request a second copy directly from the Oregon State Medical Examiner if you like..."
Tom let out a snort. "As expected."
The coroner added "...or, as I said, your parents already have a copy. I can't see why they couldn't share it with you if you asked them."
I was honest. "I don't really want to bring it all up again for them."
He let out a soft sigh and, half way into his office, he about faced and looked back to me. "Stephanie... in my experience-- and I have a LOT of experience-- families that sit down and discuss it are able to heal far easier than those that avoid facing things head on."
Finding myself starting to tear up, I banished the inclination to cry and powered through. "Can you at least tell me if you noticed anything weird when you... picked him up?"
The Coroner stepped aside and motioned me into his office. I stepped inside and my retinue of spirits followed me. Kyle paused long enough by my side to gently touch my arm with his wing. "You're sure you're okay to do this, Stef?"
To avoid speaking my answer and getting an odd look from my host I just nodded, and went to take a seat at the chair he indicated facing his desk. I entreated him further. "Anything you could tell me at all?"
He followed me over and took a seat in the armchair on the opposite side and flicked on a small reading light; even with the overhead fluorescents the office did feel a little dark and the extra illumination gave the desk a feel of an island amidst a sea of encroaching shadows. "He'd already arrived at the hospital by the time I'd arrived, but the paramedics had done a fine job of documenting. The report came in as an accident but the police had also done a cursory examination of the river."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Medved, who stood beside me, rested a large paw on my shoulder, speaking softly. "Ty ne odna."
The coroner continued in the professional manner of someone who was used to dealing with people like me more often than he should probably have to. "Everything pertinent to answer your questions is most likely in my report but, if it will help settle your mind, I can confirm that there was no reason to suspect foul play. Billy's passing WAS an accident-- a very unfortunate one, but an accident nevertheless."
Behind me, Anapa spoke several words softly but firmly. Kyle translated for him as the coroner went quiet. "He says you should ask what paramedic filed the report."
Although I felt like I was ready to leave, the Spirits there with me gave me the extra support I needed to continue. "Do you know-- I mean... can you tell me who filed the report from the paramedics?"
Without even bothering to look at any paperwork, the coroner folded his hands on his desk. "William Smith. I remember because it's the first report I received from him when he transferred in last month."
It was an odd phrase to use, so I repeated it. "He 'transferred in'?"
That time my question got a response and he opened a drawer, pulling out what looked like a memo pad. He flipped a few pages in and addressed me while looking at whatever was written there. I didn't miss the fact that Kyle slid through the desk to stand behind the man as the coroner spoke. "He moved here from the Midwest at the start of summer. Nice fellow... quiet, but good at what he does from what I understand... the report I received, as I said, was completed with an attention to detail."
Kyle's feathers puffed up and he stated simply "Moved from Wisconsin."
There were any number of additional questions I could have asked at that point. Taking in a deep breath, I--
b) -- got up to leave, realizing that I might get more information from Kyle and Aiden; they'd already invited me to a movie anyway. Before leaving, I said. "Thank you for your time."
c) -- had a name of a possible lead, and decided I should focus on this 'William Smith'. Addressing the coroner, I said simply "I appreciate your time. Thank you very much."
d) -- realized there was still a big hole in the information gathering and I really needed to get down to the river. "One last thing, please... do you know the best place to rent a car?"
e) -- started right in on them. I knew he probably wouldn't have ALL the answers, but I was adamant about getting as many as I could before he wouldn't spare me any more time.
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Voting is now open and will close as of midnight (pst) on Wed, January 9th.
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C for me.
Shall I put you down for William Smith then?
Also, I'm A bit baffled by Option B, when exactly did Kyle and Aiden inviter het to the movies? that just seems out of context compared to what has been happening so far.
I recorded your vote for E.