Excerpt: Ethernet

The sun settled low in the sky just topping the trees that hung over the river. Rays bounced of slick rocks and into my eyes. Sunglasses didn’t help, the rays seemed to attack from odd angles. I felt for the tired looking man in front of me. I squinted trying to see him with more clarity then offered my hand.
“I’m Supervising Special Agent Ellie Conway.”
We shook briefly. His manicured nails and soft palms suggested he didn’t do a lot of outdoor work.
I indicated to the large man on my right. “This is Special Agent Sam Jackson.”
Sam stepped up and pumped the man’s hand firmly. “We’re very sorry for your loss, sir.”
“Thank you.”
Lee attracted my attention by coughing quietly as he approached me from behind. “Excuse me,” I said to the man. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Alex Creswell,” he replied. He was pale and shaken, exactly what I’d expect of someone who came across a loved ones body.
I turned to see Lee as he stepped up beside me. “You need me?”
“I’ve been talking to some park rangers, you might like to join us when you’re done.”
I nodded at Lee.
“Mr. Creswell, this is Special Agent Lee Davenport. Now you’ve met my team,” I said. “Excuse me just a second I need to have a word with Agent Davenport.”
I stepped away and Lee followed. We moved out of earshot and kept our backs to Sam and Alex Creswell.
“What’s up?”
“Bird poop.”
“Pardon?”
Lee sighed his shoulders slumped as if it was hard work. “The rangers found bird shit on the body.”
“We’re in the woods.” I failed to see any relevance to bird shit. From what I could tell by the state of the roof of my car there were many birds in the woods. Many pooping squawking dive bombing car dirtying birds.