The Dark Rift: Ascension (The Dark Rift Book Series 1) by RM Brewer

body?"
    "It’s at the County Coroner’s office, about a twenty minute drive from here. But, first of all, I know I don't hafta tell ya that you don't have any jurisdiction here, especially with Agent Watts bein' involved with the car accident and all. But, seein’ as how we got no missing persons reports for a middle-aged woman and how the County Coroner don't come in again until Friday, well, I guess you can go ahead and see what you can find," Wending said.
    "Friday? You'd leave a body sitting for three days before having an autopsy done?" Isaiah sounded incredulous. "You'd be responsible for delaying the investigation and possibly even destruction of evidence."
    "Well, she ain't goin’ nowhere, so we got her over there in the freezer and that'll have to do until Friday," Wending said, his voice trailing off as he walked into the next room.
    Turning to Jodie, Isaiah said, "I'm not a coroner. An autopsy, if it's warranted, needs to be done by a coroner. I can assist in collecting evidence, but we'll need to get her somewhere with proper equipment where the procedure can be done."
    "I'll call McKinley right now and get everything we need to transfer the body back to the city," Jodie said. "You can fly back with the transport and call us with what you find." Jodie was steaming inside. She wanted to sit in on the examination and see the body for herself. Time was of the essence and this jackass, Wending was still screwing around.
    "Well, I'm gonna need to see some paperwork," Wending bellowed from the adjoining room.
    Bob looked at Jodie. She stared straight ahead. "Let's go," she said, leading Bob and Isaiah out the door.
    "Just what in the hell is his problem?" Bob asked Jodie.
    "Ugh. I really don't know. Although, I did find out yesterday that he spent a whole lotta time in the sixth grade. Maybe he's still pissed over failing long division," Jodie said. Bob's face wore a profoundly confused expression. "I don't know what the problem is exactly. He’s been like this since yesterday. I guess he remembers me from high school."
    Bob and Isaiah exchanged looks. "You mean to tell me, you had a thing with him in high school?" Bob asked, smiling.
    "No, I most certainly did not." Jodie realized the tone of her voice was unduly harsh and corrected herself. "Uh, I mean, no, Bob. I don't even remember him, but apparently, he had a thing for me without me knowing. I have no idea what's on his mind. He must be trying out for idiot of the year, or something."
    Bob and Isaiah burst out laughing.
    "Well, I'm glad you two can find some humor in all of this," Jodie said, realizing she'd be laughing too if she wasn't so worried about everything else.
    "Okay, well, unless you make a pass at him, he probably isn't going to cooperate with us, so I'll go ahead and get the order to have the body transferred and we'll go from there. After we get the paperwork in place and Isaiah on his way, maybe we can go and talk to those people, the woman and her son, you met at the station. Unless, of course, you'd like to stop and order some flowers for Officer Wending, first," Bob said. He barely made it through the sentence before laughter overtook him again.
    "Go to hell, Bob," Jodie said, trying hard to control her own laughter.
    An hour later, Bob presented a faxed copy of the paperwork to Officer Wending as Jodie and Isaiah looked on. "Gotta call the EMTs to go retrieve the body with their ambulance. Got no other way of transporting it to the airstrip. They'll have a key to get in the coroner’s place," Wending said.
    "Great. One of us will ride along with them to the airport to maintain the chain of custody," Bob said.
    "Up to you. EMT's office is two doors down. You can follow them to the coroner's office if you want. I'll call and let 'em know you're coming," Wending said.
    "Well, thanks, Officer Wending," Bob said, sounding surprised.
    Jodie led the agents back out to the Camaro. "Officer Wending seems very happy to hand over his troubles to us.