Page 113 of Blake

Blake caught the brief smile Lincoln tried damn hard to hide, but rather than comment on that, he got down to business.

“Tell us about Mitchell.”

Lincoln opened the folder and removed several photographs. He spread them out across the table.

“Body was discovered shortly after six this morning,” he began. “No identification on hm, but we got a preliminary match through fingerprints.”

Devon leaned closer, her attention drawn to one of the photos. Blake studied the image.

Scott Mitchell lay on his side near a concrete loading dock. His expensive dress shirt was dirty, one sleeve torn at the elbow.

“How long had he been there?” Blake asked.

“Not long,” Scarlett answered. “Based on the condition of the body and the initial examination, we’re looking at a relatively narrow window. The medical examiner will be able to refine that.”

“Who’s handling the autopsy?” Emmett asked.

Lincoln glanced at Scarlett. “Dr. Simone Frost.”

Emmett’s dark brows dipped inward. “I don’t recognize the name.”

“She’s new,” Scarlett explained. “Transferred to D.C. a few weeks ago to take over for the previous M.E. after his . . . unfortunate departure.”

Gwen snorted. “That’s a nice way of putting getting arrested and going to prison.”

The redhead grinned. “I was trying to be polite.”

“How’s the new one?” Lincoln asked.

Scarlett turned her green eyes his way. “Dr. Frost is brilliant. Thorough. Not easily intimidated.”

Lincoln huffed out a laugh. “That last one’s important if she plans on surviving this city.”

“Finally.” Gwen turned to the detective. “Something we agree on.”

Scarlett’s attention returned to the photos. “Simone performed the initial examination this morning. I was there to review the external evidence and scene photographs from an unrelated case, but I spoke to her after I got Lincoln’s call.”

“Anything stand out?” Blake asked.

“Several things.” She selected another photograph. “First, the location. Mitchell was found behind a vacant building, partially concealed by a dumpster. But there was very little evidence suggesting he died there.”

“So he was dumped?” Devon asked.

“That’s our working theory.”

Scarlett pointed to the man’s clothing. “See the staining along the lower portion of his shirt? And the debris caught in the fabric?”

Blake leaned forward. “Yeah.”

“It doesn’t match what we found around the body.”

Lincoln nodded. “Meaning he was probably killed somewhere else before being moved.”

Scarlett withdrew another picture. “There’s also bruising around both wrists.”

Devon’s expression tightened. “He was restrained?”

“Looks that way.” The other man nodded.