The Gardens of Digby Green: Perimeter
When Marquez entered the audio/video room, Bixby and a tech were sharpening video images for the facial recognition program. It took four tries before Bixby was satisfied, then Marquez handed the memory chip to the technician.
“This is drone video footage,” he said. “The images I want to see are about four minutes in, according to the person who brought it to me.”
Dropping the chip into his machine, the tech started the replay.
“I know that site,” Bixby said, as the scenes shifted in fast forward mode.
So did Marquez.
At the four-minute mark, the technician paused, then advanced frame-by-frame, and zoomed in on a cross formed by weeds and small rose bushes.
“Okay, that’s definitely weird,” Marquez said. “No wonder the guys who brought this in said that their wives freaked out.” He sighed and checked his watch. “I’m due in court in half an hour. Checking this out may have to happen tomorrow.”
Roses. One of the files already on his desk had mention of roses…
The rest of the footage showed nothing unusual.
“Put that chip into evidence,” Marquez said, and gave the technician the corresponding case number. Once the chip was bagged and numbered, Marquez took it to the evidence locker. Then he returned to the men he’d left waiting.
“The chip is now in evidence. Thanks for bringing it in, and you can go home, now.”
#
After his testimony, and cross-examination, Marquez decided to act on the video footage. He left the courthouse, and drove out to the vacant lot.
There, he pulled an armload of stakes from the trunk of his car, and a roll of crime scene tape. He created a perimeter around the cross-shaped planting, scanning the surrounding earth for any possible clues for the forensic team.
A light breeze lifted the sandy soil and refreshed memories of similar stinging conditions on his grade school playground.
The Gardens of Digby Green is a serialized story that posts on Fridays.
Next week, part thirty-eight, Menthol Mustache.
Find a link to purchase Heartland Treasures anthology here.
Ruth
Heidi Kortman
Krystine Kercher
Heidi Kortman