Who: Orenda Brandt, OPEN, Carl Kasell (NPC ME) What: Trey Carlton's autopsy when: November 16, 2009 1:00 pm Where: Messena General Hospital Status: OPEN.
Orenda was hitting more roadblocks than she'd expected, especially the bigot at the sleep clinic. This was her biggest break. She had asked permission to watch the autopsy of Trey Carlson from the county ME, who had been one of her teachers four years ago. As a favor, and knowing she knew what to stay out of and how to help if need be, he'd agreed.
The body was being retrieved by the docant while Dr. Kasell was busy double gloving. "Are you planning to return to your residency in the future?"
"Of course. In four more years my nephew should be alright enough to leave while I'm gone the long hours. I plan to apply here. But I'll have to take a lot of tests and refreshers."
The morgue smelled of death and disinfectant. The last trying to cover the first and not quite managing. Formaldehyde, bodily wastes and fluids and the lingering hint of rot. It was cold and clinical, yet visceral and grounding. Facing death and ones own mortality was something most people shied from.