D
ust billowed behind the white pickup as it traversed a series of creosote bush and mesquite-covered hills. Slowing at the crest of one rise, it bounced across a rusted cattle guard. Drooping strands of barbed wire clung to withered posts that stretched to the horizon in both directions. As Shannon Hall started down the dirt road, it became apparent that a fair-sized arroyo cut through the bottom of the valley ahead. Where the road crossed the arroyo, an old brown pickup stood idle alongside a sheriff’s department truck, an SUV, and what looked like two dirt bikes. Several people gathered around the pickup. Pulling in behind the SUV, she took a deep breath and drew a baseball cap down over shortcropped auburn hair. Intelligent grey eyes looked into the rearview mirror to make sure she appeared reasonably professional for the group now focused on her arrival. Satisfied, she pushed the door open and stepped into the hot desert afternoon. As a New Mexico Field Deputy Medical Investigator, this was where the work began. Separating from the group, Sergeant Sam Jacobs greeted her. “Howdy, Doc. Ready for a short hike?”
Shannon smiled at the greeting. She wasn’t a medical doctor, but once a few members of the Laguna County Sheriff’s Department found out she had a doctorate in forensic archaeology, “Doc” had become her nickname. “Sure, Sam. What’s going on?” she asked the older officer. “Interesting situation. The kids here were spending their Saturday riding dirt bikes up and down these arroyos. They found the body and used a cell phone to call it in. Tommy got here about an hour ago, took a look, and called for us. I got here just a bit before you, and the rancher arrived somewhere in between. Tommy knows the rancher. Dated his daughter a while back.” Deputy Tommy Sanchez moved toward the duo. “Afternoon ma’am,” he said in his usual jovial, but always respectful, manner. A decorated veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan, he was a local hero and youngest member of the sheriff’s department. “Hi, Tommy. Do you have details on this?” Sam stepped back and allowed Sanchez to talk. “These kids were running their bikes down the arroyo.” He pointed at the motorcycle tracks in the sand. “About a quarter mile from here, a side drainage comes
