Buried Prey
Chapter 1
by Sandford, JohnThe chapter opens with the demolition of a city block, where heavy machinery uncovers a long-buried bundle of plastic sheeting containing the mummified remains of two young girls. The discovery halts construction as police, including cold-case investigator Hote and homicide chief Marcy Sherrill, gather at the scene. Hote examines the bodies through the aged plastic, noting signs of hanging and possible restraints, while speculating about preserved forensic evidence like DNA or hair. The eerie preservation of the bodies suggests they were sealed in the plastic shortly after death, freeze-dried over time.
Lucas Davenport, a high-ranking state investigator, arrives and identifies the girls as Nancy and Mary, recalling specific details like Nancy’s heart-patterned blouse—a clue from his early career. His presence sparks discussion among retired cops who remember the original case. Davenport disputes the long-held belief that Terry Scrape, a suspect killed years earlier, was the murderer, suggesting a smarter, more elusive killer framed Scrape. This revelation unsettles Sherrill, who vows to re-examine the case files.
The scene is steeped in nostalgia as retired cops reflect on the pre-digital era of policing, contrasting it with modern forensic capabilities. Sherrill’s authority and reputation as a tough, respected cop underscore her determination to solve the cold case. The chapter highlights the intersection of past and present, as the discovery forces old wounds open and reignites a decades-old hunt for justice.
The narrative builds tension around the unresolved mystery, emphasizing Davenport’s personal connection to the case and his lingering doubts about the original investigation. The girls’ grim fate and the killer’s evasion of capture loom large, setting the stage for a deeper probe into the shadows of the past. The chapter ends with a sense of urgency, as the team prepares to leverage modern technology to finally uncover the truth.
FAQs
1. What key forensic observations does Hote make about the bodies found in the plastic sheeting, and what might these details reveal about the crime?
Answer:
Hote observes that the two girls appear mummified with desiccated skin pulled tight over their bones, black eye pits, and flattened lip scars, but remarkably preserved white teeth. She notes upward displacement of the cervical spine, suggesting they were hanged, and their arms positioned behind them, likely bound. The plastic sheeting preserved tissue in a near freeze-dried state, potentially retaining organic evidence like hair or semen. These details indicate a deliberate, violent killing method (hanging) and careful concealment in plastic, which preserved forensic evidence that could now yield DNA or other clues about the killer.2. How does Lucas Davenport’s reaction to the discovery of the bodies differ from others at the scene, and what does this reveal about his connection to the case?
Answer:
Davenport identifies the victims by name (Nancy and Mary) and recalls specific details like Nancy’s heart-patterned blouse—a gift from her father—visible through the plastic. His immediate recognition contrasts with Hote’s caution and Sherrill’s reliance on files, suggesting deep personal involvement in the original investigation. His assertion that Terry Scrape (the previously blamed suspect) was innocent and that the real killer “hung it on Scrape like a hat on a witch” reveals his longstanding skepticism about the case’s resolution, hinting at unresolved guilt or professional obsession.3. Analyze how the chapter’s descriptions of the construction site and excavation process contribute to the tone and themes of the narrative.
Answer:
The vivid imagery of “steel dinosaurs” (wrecking machines) tearing apart houses and “old dreams” being hauled away in dump trucks juxtaposes progress with destruction, mirroring the exhumation of buried crimes. The trench, once noisy with machinery, falls “silent as death” when the bodies are found, creating eerie contrast. The damp, sewage-tinged earth and concrete slabs evoke decay, while the plastic-wrapped bodies—preserved yet grotesque—symbolize secrets resurfacing. This imagery reinforces themes of hidden violence, the passage of time, and the inevitability of truth emerging.4. What does Marcy Sherrill’s characterization (e.g., her reputation, attire, and interactions) reveal about her role in the police force and her approach to the case?
Answer:
Sherrill’s “good figure,” lead-weighted sap, and reputation for fistfights underscore her toughness in a male-dominated field, while her $200 dirt-flecked slacks show professionalism amid chaos. As head of Homicide, she balances authority (“This makes my day”) with deference to Davenport’s expertise. Her immediate request for files reflects methodical policing, but her surprise at Davenport’s Scrape theory reveals gaps in institutional memory. She embodies a bridge between old-school grit (“Dickless Tracy” era) and modern leadership, prioritizing evidence but respecting legacy knowledge.5. Why might the author include the detail about retired cops gathering at the site, and how does this enrich the story’s context?
Answer:
The aging cops’ pilgrimage to the scene underscores the case’s historical weight and unresolved trauma. Their presence links past and present, emphasizing how pre-DNA policing relied on instinct and persistence (“all the time on sidewalks”). Their mixed reactions to Davenport—some nodding, others edging away—hint at past conflicts or respect for his work. This collective memory deepens the mystery, suggesting the killer’s evasion haunted an entire generation of cops, while their curiosity foreshadows renewed investigation driven by both nostalgia and justice.
Quotes
1. “Old dreams, dead ambitions, and lost lives, remembrance roses and spring lilacs, went in the dump trucks all together.”
This vivid description of the demolition process poetically captures the destruction of not just physical structures, but the emotional history embedded in them. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of buried pasts resurfacing.
2. “Two dead girls grinned back at her, through the plastic, their desiccated skin pulled tight over their cheek and jaw bones… but their teeth were as white and shiny as the day they were murdered.”
This haunting image of the discovered bodies creates a powerful juxtaposition between decay and preservation, symbolizing how the past remains frozen in time despite years of burial. It’s the pivotal moment that drives the chapter’s mystery.
3. “He hung it on Scrape like a hat on a witch, and we had us a witch hunt.”
Lucas Davenport’s metaphor reveals the central theme of mistaken identity and scapegoating in the cold case. This quote suggests the original investigation may have pursued the wrong suspect, setting up the chapter’s main conflict.
4. “She’d erased that attitude quickly enough, and now was accepted as a cop-cop, rather than as a woman cop, or, as they were still occasionally called, a Dickless Tracy.”
This characterization of Marcy Sherrill highlights themes of gender dynamics in policing and establishes her as a formidable investigator. It provides important background on one of the chapter’s key figures.