Naked Evidence: Crime Thrillers, page 1
Naked
Evidence
Naked
Evidence
Crime Thrillers
Mark R Beckner
The stories in this book are purely fictional, created by the imagination of the author. Any resemblance or likeness to any location, place, incident, or
person, either alive or dead, is only a coincidence or used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2022 Mark R Beckner
All rights reserved
The scanning, uploading, copying, reproduction, or distribution
of this book without the author’s permission is prohibited.
Becknerbooks Publishing
First Edition: October 2022
ISBN: 978-1-7369607-5-2 (eBook)
Credits
Sally Beckner – Copy review and editing
Writing companion – Roxy
Preface
Having retired after 36 years of policing in Boulder, Colorado, I started writing fictional crime thrillers in 2021. While the stories are fictional, I rely on my law enforcement experiences to make them real and believable. After my first book, Behind The Lies, was published in early 2021, I received positive feedback and was encouraged to keep writing. My second book, Death From Desire, continued to receive positive reviews. I thought, so long as I believed I had good story ideas to work with, I would continue to write. Well, I believe I do. This book, Naked Evidence, comprises two crime thrillers, each one building from stories in my first and second books. Readers of my first two books will recognize Miami Detectives Rick Baez and Leah Mitchell in Death From Desire. In the second story, readers will recognize Chicago Detective Juan Garcia from Behind the Lies.
These stories are written for entertainment with a sense of realism. While none of the stories reflect actual crimes I investigated, ideas for each were cultivated from my investigative experience, and from cases I’ve studied. Studying real-life crime provides more than enough ideas for fictional stories. As with all my stories, I hope you enjoy the dramatic journey to solving the crime thrillers presented in this book.
Please visit my website for additional information.
becknerbooks.com
or email
becknerbooks@gmail.com
Table of Contents
Preface
Naked Evidence
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
High Rise Murder
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
About the Author
Naked
Evidence
Chapter 1
It was a warm Wednesday morning in October, and Miami-Dade Metro Police Detective Rick Baez was doing his regular workout in the police weight room. Since returning to work after his injury and suspension, Baez made a vow to take better care of himself, both mentally and physically. His time away from work made him realize what was most important to him. He was still committed to his career as a detective but now understood the importance of having outside interests and maintaining his health through diet and exercise. Baez was about to finish lifting weights when his partner, Detective Leah Mitchell, walked in. Baez was wearing dark blue gym shorts and a tight-fitting, light blue polyester pullover shirt. Mitchell immediately noticed the muscle definition in Baez’s arms and chest. She knew he had gotten serious about his health after his near-death experience, but this was the first time she had seen his body in revealing workout clothes.
“You’ve really gotten yourself in shape,” said Mitchell.
“I’m trying,” responded Baez. “What are you doing here?”
“Some kid found a body floating in the Buffer Preserve Area. We’ve been assigned the case.”
“I’ll jump in the shower and quickly change. Meet you in the office in about ten minutes.”
Baez quickly showered, dried himself off, and got dressed. He left his shirt collar open and skipped the tie. He knew it would be hot and muggy at the crime scene. Baez met Mitchell at her desk in the Detective Bureau.
“Twelve minutes,” said Mitchell. “Not bad.”
“What do we know?” asked Baez.
“About an hour ago, a couple of kids found a body at the edge of one of the swamp ponds. We have officers and crime scene techs already at the scene. I’ve been told the body is already partially decomposed.”
Baez squinted his eyes and wrinkled his nose. “Oh, I love these types of crime scenes. Better bring your Vicks. It will be a smelly scene.”
Mitchell drove their white unmarked Ford Explorer to the scene on the east side of the Miami metropolitan area. The area, known as the East Coast Buffer Water Preserve Area, is a string of impoundments and restored wetlands used to manage the interface between the everglades and the metro area. Baez knew it would be wet and marshy.
Upon arrival, Mitchell and Baez retrieved rubber boots from the back of their vehicle and pulled them on. Baez left his jacket in the car. Both detectives gingerly walked toward the gathering of officers and crime scene investigators on the marsh’s edge. The ground beneath their feet felt mushier as they got closer. It was a humid October day, and the smell of wet marshlands filled the air. As Baez and Mitchell approached the scene, they could detect the odor of decayed flesh. Baez pulled out his tube of Vicks VapoRub and smeared a dab under his nose, then handed the tube to Mitchell. The menthol smell of Vicks helped to mask the stench of decay.
One of the uniformed officers led Baez and Mitchell to the edge of the marsh, where a naked body was lying partially submerged in water. It was the body of an adult male. The body was bloated and distorted, with the head submerged in water and the legs intertwined among the shoreline seaweed and lily pads. The heat and humidity quickly drew beads of sweat on Mitchell’s and Baez’s exposed arms and faces.
An officer informed Baez and Mitchell that two boys, aged 12 and 13, had found the body while trying to catch frogs. After interviewing them, the boys were released to their parents. It was apparent that the body had been in the water for several days.
CSIs (crime scene investigators) had completed their processing of the scene and were now awaiting the coroner’s arrival. Baez stepped through ankle-deep water to get a closer look at the body. He could not see any clear indications of injury to the backside or legs of the deceased. However, the bloating of the body made it difficult to be sure. A large eagle tattoo ran across the victim’s upper back. The rancid smell of decay was strong, even overcoming the smell of the Vicks rub. Baez retreated to solid ground to get clear of the smell.
“What do you think?” asked Mitchell.
“Hard to tell. Could be a simple drowning, or it could be something more sinister. Maybe a gator got him.”
“I think he’d be more torn up if a gator had gotten him,” responded Mitchell.
“True, but we haven’t seen his upper torso yet.”
Several minutes later, medical examiner Jeff Whitfield from the coroner’s office arrived on the scene. Mitchell and Baez took several minutes to explain how the body was found and its positioning in the water.
“Any signs of foul play?” asked Whitfield.
“None so far,” answered Mitchell. “We are waiting to see what we find when you pull him out.”
“I will not be able to pull him out by myself. You two are going to have to help.”
“What?” asked Baez. “Where is your assistant?”
“It’s been a crazy busy day, and we are short-handed this week. Go to my van and get some rubber gloves. There are also a couple of extra plastic smocks to put on. Then bring the gurney back with you.”
Baez gazed at Whitfield with an incredulous look. “This isn’t getting done without your help,” said Whitfield.
“Come on, Rick,” said Mitchell. “Let’s get suited up.”
Mitchell and Baez walked to the coroner’s van and pulled the gurney out from the back. They then peered into the plastic tote box and found the gloves and white plastic smocks. They each pulled the plastic smocks over their arms and tied them behind their backs. After putting on the rubber gloves, Baez and Mitchell pushed the gurney toward the water’s edge. They lifted the gurney slightly as they walked to get over some rough and wet terrain.
“I need one of you on each side of the body,” directed Whitfield. “I will lift the legs while you lift the upper torso. We will then slide him onto the gurney.”
“This is not what I signed up for,” grumbled Baez as he waded into the water. “Damn it!” he shouted.
“What is it?” asked Mitchell.
“I just sank in the muck, and water went into my boots.”
Mit
“Stay there. I’ll be right back,” said Whitfield.
“Where the hell are you going?” shouted Baez.
“Given the body’s condition, I don’t think you will get a good hold. I’m going to get some straps I have in the van.”
Baez rolled his eyes. “We’ll just wait here in the swamp water for you.”
Whitfield chuckled as he walked toward the van.
“Can you believe this guy?” asked Baez.
“Just shut up, Rick. He has no other help. Let’s just get this over with, and then we can go shower.”
Whitfield returned with two straps of heavy yellow nylon approximately six inches wide, with handles on each side. “Here,” he said. “Slide these under the body and grab hold of the handles.”
Baez bent down and pushed the straps under the body. His arms were in water up to his shoulders, and his face was so close to the body that the Vicks no longer helped. He could feel himself on the verge of gagging from the smell.
“Can you grab them?” yelled Baez.
“Not yet,” answered Mitchell. “I can’t feel anything. Push them further.”
“I’m trying,” grunted Baez. “There’s a lot of mud underneath, and I’m already up to my armpits in this putrid soup.”
“Just keep pushing it through,” directed Whitfield.
Baez felt nauseous from the smell of rotting flesh. Beads of sweat lined his forehead and scalp beneath his dark hair. Holding his breath, he gave one final hard push on the straps.
“I’ve got one,” shouted Mitchell. “Still trying to find the other one.” Mitchell was also gagging from the smell.
She reached as far as she could by leaning into the body, only protected by the thin sheet of plastic smock. Finally, she found the handle of the second strap and quickly pulled it through the muck. Once she had it, Baez immediately stood up, turned around, and barfed his breakfast into the swampy water. The taste of half-digested food and sour stomach acid filled his mouth. The acid burned the back of his throat. Fresh vomit was now floating on top of the water.
“Are you okay, Detective?” asked Whitfield.
After spitting out as much vomit and stomach acid as he could, he answered. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
Still holding the handles, Mitchell stood up and turned away to breathe fresher air. After seeing Baez hurl his breakfast into the swamp, she had to make a stronger effort not to vomit herself.
As for Baez, he had to deal with the odor of decay, the musty swamp smell, water and muck in his boots, and vomit floating on the water around his legs.
“Okay, now I need you to lift the body with the straps, and I will lift the legs,” directed Whitfield. “We will then slide the body out, lift it, and place it on the gurney.”
Mitchell and Baez pulled up on the straps, lifting the torso high enough to walk it back out of the water. Baez didn’t think the smell could be any worse, but once the shoulders and head cleared the water, the putrid smell of rotting flesh seemed to double in strength. It was as though he could taste the mixture of rotten flesh mixed with vomit.
With some effort, they were able to get the body on the gurney lying face down. As soon as the body was secure, Baez and Mitchell stepped away. Both had boots full of water and muck. Baez didn’t know whether he should look for clean water to wash his mouth out or first empty the sludge in his boots. Since there was no ready source of fresh water, he emptied his boots first.
“Damn,” said Baez. “Look at my feet. Whoa! There’s a leech or slug or something that just fell out!”
After hearing that, Mitchell quickly sat down and took off her rubber boots. She didn’t find any leeches, but her socks were covered in sticky, smelly muck.
“Detectives, come look at this,” said Whitfield.
“I need to go get some water first,” replied Baez.
As Baez walked away to find some water, Mitchell shook off her feet as best she could, then walked over to the body. “What is it?” she asked.
“Well, even with the bloating, I can see that this victim’s head appears to have been severely beaten. There are also suspicious marks on the arms and shoulders.”
“So, you think this is a homicide victim?”
“Won’t know for sure until after the autopsy, but my early guess is that this person took one hell of a beating.”
After Baez returned, the three of them maneuvered the gurney over the mud and grass to the van. After helping Whitfield cover the body and load it into the van, Baez and Mitchell returned to their car to clean up. They found some disinfectant wipes in their car and wiped themselves off as best they could. Neither of them put their shoes back on. They could still smell the odor of decay on their clothing, and their pant legs were soaking wet. Mitchell drove them back to the police station.
Once at the station, they both went directly to the dressing rooms to shower and change. Baez took his pants and socks off and threw them in the garbage. He kept his underwear and shirt. Baez then took a long hot shower, allowing water to fill his mouth several times, then spitting it out. After his shower, he brushed his teeth until he could no longer taste a hint of vomit. He didn’t have a complete change of clothing in his locker, so he put on his workout shorts and shirt, white socks, and sports coat.
Mitchell also took a long shower, taking extra care to clean her feet and toes. She washed her hair twice to ensure there was no lingering smell. Fortunately for her, she had a full change of clothing in her locker.
When Baez returned to his desk in the detective bureau, he attracted some attention. “What happened to you?” asked Detective Sergeant Leon Marquez.
“Oh, we had a dead body in the preserve area. It was messy.”
“You’re wearing gym shorts!” said Marquez.
“What do you want me to do? It’s all I have. All I’m going to do is my reports and go home.”
“Unless you get another dead body call,” responded Marquez as he smiled and walked away.
Mitchell walked in shortly after, looked at Baez and laughed. “That’s all you have?”
“No, I just thought I would go for a run after my report,” said Baez sarcastically.
“I hope you brushed your teeth.”
“Yes, I brushed my teeth. I also showered and washed my hair.”
“That was some regurgitation out there. I thought you were going to hit the highway with it.”
Baez flashed Mitchell a dirty look. “Very funny. You can just keep your mouth shut. You didn’t get as close to that body as I did.”
“Seriously? I had to reach under to grab those rings.”
“And I’m the one who had to shove them under so you could reach them.”
“Do we know who this guy is yet?” asked Mitchell.
“Nope. Just a naked guy in a swamp.”
“Don’t you find it strange that he was naked?”
“Somewhat. I’m more surprised the gators didn’t get him. It looked like he had been in the water for several days. Do we have any reports of missing white males?”
“Nothing yet,” replied Mitchell.
Chapter 2
Baez left the office as soon as he finished writing his reports. When he got home, he believed he could still smell rotting human flesh on his skin. He quickly undressed, jumped in the shower, turned the water on as hot as he could withstand, and scrubbed himself with soap. After his shower, he put on his bathrobe, grabbed a diet soda from the fridge, and plunged himself into his leather recliner.
Baez still lived in the same two-bedroom stucco bungalow in the south Miami area. However, since returning from his extended leave, he had tried to make the home look more livable and inviting. The 72-inch big screen TV still hung on the living room wall for watching his sports, but the large Dolphins poster was gone from the wall. Some of his furniture had been recently upgraded, and Baez tried to keep his house tidy. He still relied on his regular maid to come in weekly to clean and paid her extra to do his laundry.
After getting settled, Baez picked up his cell phone and called his girlfriend, Carol Plum. Several months back, Baez had attended organized group meetups for divorced people. That is where he met Carol, a 34-year-old divorced woman. Carol is 5’8”, average build, with light brown short hair, brown eyes, and a well-tanned complexion. Baez found her easy to talk to, and he liked her sense of humor. She also enjoyed hearing stories about his work. Carol worked as a surgery recovery nurse at Miami General Hospital. Hearing gross descriptions of crime scenes did not phase her.
