Chapter 35: The next day around noon, Kent and Mahuiki took the stairs and arrived at the basement of the Hilo Hospital where the area’s small morgue was housed. Dr. Rumple, a pathologist who also served as coroner for the county, had already completed the autopsy but was still writing up her report. Kent had arranged a time when they could view the body as she went over her findings before she completed the report. After this, they had a meeting with Lieutenant Ohale to brief him on the case.

Kent was wired from too much caffeine and not enough sleep; finishing the day’s notes and going over everything they’d gathered had kept him up late, and he hadn’t bothered to eat breakfast.

Outside the morgue room’s locked double doors equipped with a keypad, Kent paused to check in with his young protégée. Captain Ohale had authorized Mahuiki to act as Kent’a partner through the investigation, and so far the kid was holding up well and proving his ability to follow directions.

Mahuiki wore street clothes this time: neat jeans, a black polo shirt, and a navy windbreaker over a nylon shoulder harness that still had a price tag attached. Officers used a duty belt to carry their weapon holsters, so he’d clearly run out to a gun shop to dress the part.

Kent reached over and peeled the little orange price tag off the nylon strap; Mahuiki shied like a nervous horse. Kent held his finger aloft so the young man could see the sticker on his fingertip.

Mahuiki gave an exaggerated head slap. “Dammit. Wanted to get it right.”

“You almost did. Ever been to an autopsy before?”

“During academy training. It was more of a tour of the facility. We looked at some bodies, though.” His nostrils flared at the unpleasant smells already detectable from around the door. “Don’t worry, Kent. I won’t lose my shit.”

“No shame if you do. Takes some getting used to.” With that, Kent hit the buzzer at the bottom of the keypad. A moment later, Dr. Rumple’s pale face appeared in the wire-covered window in the door; she recognized him and hit the access button on her side.

Both of the doors opened outward slowly; they were designed for the admission of gurneys.

The smell of disinfectant did battle with the foul sweetness of decomposition as air from inside the chamber flowed over them. The harsh fluorescent lights of the morgue cast a bluish pallor over the room, intensifying an already stark atmosphere where the walls and floor were covered in chilly institutional green tile.

“Remember me? I’m Detective Kent Higa. This is Officer Brent Mahuiki, assisting me with this case.”

“Hey. Glad you two could make it during the time window I had available.” Dr Rumple wore a blue hospital mask and a rubberized white apron already liberally spattered with blood and fluids. Her hands were covered in purple nitrile gloves, also smeared with blood.

“Thank you for accommodating us,” Kent said.

“Don’t touch anything,” Dr. Rumple said sharply to Mahuiki, who must have made some movement.

“Yes, ma’am,” Mahuiki said, sliding his hands into his pockets as if to restrain them from getting into trouble.

“Your victim is over here.” The doctor led them to a wheeled steel table set near a drain in the slanted floor. Kent came to stand beside the stainless steel autopsy table with Mahuiki behind his shoulder.

The medical examiner's gloved hands moved with practiced efficiency over Manny Abalo's body as she tugged aside a blue drape covering him. “This was a well nourished man approximately mid-thirties, suffering from a head injury and superficial lacerations.”

“We’re most interested in cause and means of death,” Kent said.

“Of course you are. And this isn’t as simple a case as I hoped,” Dr. Rumple stated, her voice muffled by her mask.

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