7

The autopsy would later confirm the two men’s suspicions; the knife Donald used to take his own life was the same one his wife had used the night prior. After Dr. Blaine finished his initial examination and had the body moved to the hospital, Andrew and Dean took to examining the cell further.

The first thing they did was examine the hidden corner Donald had disappeared into on the surveillance tape. Unsurprisingly, nothing was there. Standing in the same spot that Donald had with his back to the corner, Andrew looked at his immediate surroundings. Aside from the fluorescent light and air vent in the ceiling, there was nothing to be seen.

“Maybe there was something hidden in the vent there?” Dean suggested.

“No, none of the bolts are missing or look like they’ve been messed with. How would he have unscrewed them anyways?” Andrew sounded almost irritated.

“I don’t know, how did he get a knife in here without us noticing? None of this shit makes any sense man, I’m just trying to figure it all out.”

Andrew stood silently for a moment. “Help me flip over this bed” he said, walking towards the blood-soaked cot in the opposite corner. They each took an end and flipped it over, laying it on the floor; it made a wet splorch sound as they did. There was a large bloodstain indicating where it had soaked through the mattress, but nothing else of note. The metal frame of the cot was completely bare as well. Andrew could see the dirty floor through the frame, noting the layer of dust that had built up throughout the years. He was about to ask Dean to help him replace the bed when he noticed a small black rock pushed into the back corner, nearly concealed by one of the legs of the bed frame. He pulled the frame away from the wall, wincing at the grating sound the metal legs made against the stone floor, and picked up the rock. It was no larger than a pebble and had a smooth oval shape that ended in a jagged tip; it looked as if it had been chipped at the end.

“What do you have there?” Dean asked, squinting at the small object in Andrew’s hand.

“It’s a rock. Or a piece of a larger one at least”

“A piece of rock? Are you shitting me right now? Why the hell are you collecting specimens for your rock collection?”

Andrew turned the small stone over in his fingers and examined it. “I don’t know, it just seemed-” He paused. Suddenly, images flashed into his mind: A house, a dark space, pipes, then a rock. “-familiar.” Before the other officer could reply, Andrew took out his wallet, slid the tiny rock down one of its pockets, then walked out the cell door.

Dean followed him out of the cell with a confused look on his face. “Where the hell are you going now?” he asked.

“There’s something I have to find at the Francis house.” Andrew replied.