SINS, STONES & GLASS HOUSES

“Captain Novack.”  Answered a gruff voice followed by silence.

“Captain Novack, this is Sergeant Naccarato returning your page.”  Said Zach.

“Time for you to earn another medal for next years awards ceremonies Sergeant.”

Said Novack, making no attempt to hide the sarcasm in his tone.

“Now Captain, you heard the Chief last night.  I only earn medals because of the policy and procedures created from the collective wit and wisdom of the administrative staff.  You know, the one you’re a member of.  Remember your medal last night sir?” Returned Zach.

“Alright Sergeant, you’ve made your point.  I want you to get over to that Mexican restaurant at the south end of town.  The one located off of Forty-First Avenue.  Do you know the one I mean?”  Novack asked.

“Yeah, Captain.  What have we got?”  Asked Zach.

“A dead waitress in a dumpster.  I’ve already notified crime scene and called out your detectives.  They’re on their way to meet you there.”  Said Novack.

Zach hung up the phone then threw his car into gear and drove to the restaurant.

Pulling into the parking lot he observed two uniform officers securing the area around the dumpster with wooden barriers and yellow crime scene tape.  There were several employees standing near the service door of the restaurant next to another uniform officer who appeared to be writing something down on a pad.  Zach got out of his car and walked over to the dumpster.

“Hey guys, what have we got?”  Asked Zach.

“Sarge, it looks like a dead female and a comedian for the killer.”  Responded one of the officers.

“Yeah, it looks like you’re dealing with a real psycho this time.”  Said the other officer.

As he walked up to the dumpster, his attention was drawn to a single red rose and a single purple violet lying crisscrossed on the pavement in front of the dumpster.  He then peered inside and saw the body of a white female.  She was positioned face down.  Her face was tucked in between several bags of garbage leaving visible only the back of her head and some of her long brown hair.  Each arm lay respectively alongside her torso.

Her fingertips were curled to the center of each upturned palm.  Both knees were positioned together and tucked up under her stomach.  Her pants and underwear were pulled down to her ankles.  Her blue knit jersey had been raised up to the middle of her back.  Her buttocks were completely exposed and slightly elevated.  Centered on her lower back was a small black plastic bowl of salsa on top of a white paper napkin.