Examining the Dead Got Me Branded a Cheater Chapter 06

Examining the Dead Got Me Branded a Cheater Chapter 06

Julian shot Claire a look. “Claire, weren’t you the one who said Evan was just here to back me up and for you to pry him for details? So why is he doing the autopsies now?

“You’re putting my top talent on the sideline and letting a guy with a tainted record handle it?”

He glared at me, all huffy, basically forcing Claire to choose between us.

Claire had to jump through hoops to get me back, so there was no way she’d defend him now. She tugged him aside and murmured something.

I couldn’t be bothered with whatever they were up to. I pulled on my gloves and got to work.

Julian suddenly stopped me and turned to Tyler. “Professor, I know you want him on the autopsies since he knows the details of the first case. May I request a head-to-head comparison? I’d like you to see clearly who’s more capable!”

Then he gave me a challenging look and said under his breath, “Claire already told me. Once they squeeze you for everything you know, you’re out of the department. How long do you think you can keep strutting around?

“If I nail this autopsy, Professor Robinson might dump you on the spot! Do you still think you can throw your weight around here?”

I arched a brow, looking about ready to bail. “Chief Langford, Claire, that’s pretty unfair, isn’t it? You begged me to come back just to pump me for info and then kick me to the curb once the case is solved? If that’s the deal, I’m out. I’m not doing these autopsies.”

Harry saw I was serious and started to panic. He latched onto my arm, smiling way too hard. “I gave you my word, Evan. My word stands. Julian! What did you say to Evan? Whatever it was, if it ticked him off, that’s on you. Apologize to him, now!”

Claire was flustered too, frowning at Julian. “Apologize now! We can’t solve this case without Evan. Don’t you dare sink us all!”

They both looked like they hated my guts but still had to butter me up. Honestly, I found it immensely satisfying.

The second Claire lit into Julian, his eyes flushed red. “You’re telling me to apologize to him? Says who? Claire, you promised you’d have my back! It’s just a case. I can definitely crack it!”

Claire’s face grew darker by the minute. Her patience was gone. She tore into him. “You’ve got some nerve! Evan was supposed to do the autopsy on the third case, but you snatched it from him.

“Otherwise, we would’ve realized this was a serial case sooner! You owe Evan a real apology. Right now, the top priority is having him work with the task force and cracking this case!”

Julian had to give me a grudging apology. “Fine. I’m sorry, okay? Evan, you’d better catch the killer, or I won’t go easy on you!”

He then strode out of the medical examiner’s office in a huff.

Watching Claire furious and rattled, itching to run after him but forcing herself to stay for my sake, put me in a great mood.

I pulled my gloves back on and started the autopsy. When the report was ready, I swiftly organized the details connected to the first case.

Tyler rounded up the other four from the task force, and we discussed the matter in the conference room throughout the night.

“Evan, I hold your expertise in high regard, and I can tell the department hasn’t treated you fairly. If our teamwork proves strong on this case, would you consider joining our task force?”