by Alton Reich
[Jordan and Vanessa]
"It seems very convenient that John Williams should turn up dead," Jordan said as he slipped behind the wheel of his car.
Vanessa buckled her seat belt and replied, "You don't think it was from natural causes."
"Let's just say that I'd be very surprised." Jordan started the car, "Well, we might as well have a look at the body."
***
[Morgue- a short time later]
The man who led them into the large examining room wore a name tag on his white lab coat that said R. J. Blake. He hadn't introduced himself, but had simply listened to their request and asked them to follow him.
He stopped in front of the wall of small, refrigerated compartments and said, "This might not be too pleasant. It was the smell that made the neighbors call the police."
He grasped the handle, turned, and pulled out the stainless steel tray that held the remains of John Williams.
Jordan's nose wrinkled up at the smell of decay mixed with the antiseptic that the coroners had applied to the body. "How long has he been dead?"
"Long enough for the rats to go to work on him," Dr. Blake said pointing to several locations on the exposed arm that had already been eaten away.
"Can you be a bit more specific?" Vanessa asked.
Blake smiled slightly, "I'd guess at least a week. I'll know more tomorrow after the autopsy."
Jordan nodded, "Let us know as soon as you know the cause of death."
"I will."
***
[Later - Back at JEH]
"Could we have more effectively wasted the day?" Jordan asked Vanessa as the elevator doors slid shut.
She punched the button for their office floor and sighed, "It wasn't a total loss. We know Rebecca Cross has an identical twin named Ann."
"Really useful information," Jordan replied wryly.
The doors opened and they stepped off the elevator. They walked down the corridor and around a corner. A box sat against the wall next to their office door with the lid slightly askew. Jordan glanced at it and saw that it was full of files.
He shrugged and pushed the door open. The first thing he noticed was an acrid odor in the air. Then he noticed the two boxes of spilled papers and other objects just inside the inner office. Before he was conciously aware of it, his gun was out from within his jacket. Vanessa brushed past him with her gun drawn.
Jordan looked behind Jenny's desk and in the closet behind it. There was nothing of note.
"Jordan!" Vanessa called.
He turned and saw she was holding up a desk plate that said "Jim Reaper" in block letters.
Jordan heard a faint clunking noise and his eyes widened, "The freight elevator!"
He flew out the office door and sprinted down the corridor. He skidded around a corner and caught a glimpse of red hair as the freight elevator doors slid shut.
NRPG:
Time to collectively suck less, folks. Hopefully I can hold up my end of things here.
So, we've got the Crosses and clones to this point. Where's it all lead?