The ME and the officer led Craig out of the room. The officer spoke first. “Mr. Craig, I’m sorry for your loss.”

Craig wiped away a tear. “Who did this to her? Where was she found?”

“She was found near Lake Merit.” The officer said.

“It looks like an animal attack. Maybe a mountain lion” The ME said. Craig shook his head. His years of training as a Marine told him this was wrong. She was slashed with a bladed weapon. Those puncture wounds were too close together to be an animal.

“You’re wrong. I’m not a fucking idiot.” Craig snapped back. This was probably a combination of his anger and lack of sleep.

The ME spoke, “Mr. Craig, I know you’re upset. I’ve seen mountain lion attacks many times, I’m telling you…”

Before the ME could finish Craig snapped back, “She was slashed by a blade! My wife was killed by a person, why aren’t you accepting this?”

“Mr. Craig, please go home, try to get some sleep.” The officer’s tone changed from concerned to curt. Something wasn’t right here…