Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

trace test on the slug Colt brought in. A full DNA test would take longer, but if what Colt suspected was true, he wouldn’t need that. The forensic investigator promised to have results for him first thing the next day.

Fortunately, Colt’s parents had friends who lived in Cheyenne, and he arranged to stay the night with them. He barely slept, tossing and kicking the covers. By eight in the morning, he was back at the lab.

The supervising tech invited him into his office. “There are some serious issues I’d like to discuss. First, we ran the bullet that you brought in yesterday through a chemical process. We sprayed the slug with Luminal and then studied it under a UV light. We found no traces of blood. In order to be certain, we put the slug through two further confirmatory tests. There was absolutely zero blood or tissue trace. I can, with confidence, confirm that this bullet never passed through any blood or organic tissue.”

Colt’s muscles went lax, and he gripped the desk for support. Catie is innocent! “Is there any way you can determine what the round hit?” Colt stared at the man’s computer screen as though it was a Magic 8 Ball and could answer all his questions.

“It’s possible. But that testing would take a lot longer and the results would be speculative. But if you like, we can run those tests next, since we don’t need to do a DNA test.” The tech leaned back in his chair and tapped his pen on the edge of his desk. “However, my greater concern is that the slug we tested in this case—the one brought in by the CSI—had plenty of trace evidence on it. I ran those tests myself and I remember.” He narrowed his eyes at Colt and leaned forward. “I can tell you, with absolute certainty, this slug is not the same one that was originally tested.”

Colt’s ears rang with his words. “What?”

“This is not the same slug that I tested before. It appears someone has tampered with the evidence.”

“Holy Christ.” Colt wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he grappled with the implication of what the scientist was saying. “Did you test the ballistics? Did this bullet come from the gun I left here with you?”

“Yes. This slug was fired from that specific gun—without a doubt. I can show you the markings if you like.”

We’ve found the missing round. “Are you prepared to testify in court that this is not the slug that killed Wendy Gessler and that it is also not the same one that came to the lab originally?”

“Yes. In fact, we have photos of the original evidence.” The tech slipped on a pair of gloves and lifted the bag the slug was in. “I don’t know what is going on here, but even without comparing the photo to this slug, I am sure they are two different bullets.”

“I’d like to leave this evidence here, signed over to you, so you can perform further testing, but will you please write up a report confirming that this bullet did not pass through anyone’s skull.”

The lab tech smiled confidently. “Yes, we are capable of finding trace evidence deep inside the folds of the metal, even after someone has tried to wash a bullet clean. I can assure you there’s no way this round had that type of contact.”

Colt lowered himself to the corner of the desk and cocked his head. “Can you tell me what you found on the slug the investigator brought here that indicated it was the one that killed Wendy Gessler?”

“Of course. The CSI submitted a 9mm slug she discovered in the dirt at the crime scene. There was blood, brain matter, and tissue found on that slug that all matched the DNA tags for Wendy Gessler. We also received soil samples that were tested for blood on site at the crime scene. After the field test showed blood splatter, we tested the dirt again and confirmed what the field tests hypothesized. We know the victim was shot at the gravesite, and by the splatter pattern we were able to determine that she was alive when she was shot.”

“What evidence did you receive from Sheriff Tackett’s office?”

“The only request Sheriff Tackett made on this case was ballistic testing. He sent us six rifles, a 9mm Glock 43 pistol, a spent 9mm slug, and a 9mm shell. We determined the slug was indeed fired from the accompanying Glock, and we found a partial fingerprint on the casing. I believe the round you brought in yesterday is that same slug.”

“You weren’t asked to do a DNA test on it?”

“No, just on the one brought in by the CSI. Sheriff Tackett only requested ballistics testing on this one.”

Sudden clarity flashed through Colt’s mind like a lightning bolt. Oh, my God. There are two slugs! Tackett’s trying to frame Caitlyn for Wendy’s murder! “Can you print out an inventory list of all the evidence you have processed for that crime?”

The tech leaned forward and typed on his keyboard. Documents appeared on the screen. He clicked on the print button and then faced Colt. “All other records of evidence are at the medical examiner’s office, because they involve the victim’s body.”

Colt scanned the printout. “Let me make completely sure I understand. You tested two different bullets. One that killed Wendy Gessler, and this one, that has no trace of blood or tissue on it at all.”

“Yes, sir. That is correct.”

Colt’s shock dissipated, replaced by elation, as the tech handed him the lab report printout. “Thanks so much for rushing this through.” He paused only to shake the man’s hand before he ran out of the building with the report. He jumped into his Jeep and drove as fast as he could back home.

He slowed down to the speed limit as he entered town, and it seemed as though he crawled through the streets. He couldn’t wait to tell Caitlyn the fantastic news. He pictured how