The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 474

After slipping her shoes back on, Nora went to the restroom and splashed cold water on her face before walking with Cross toward the Forensics Division.

The hallways were practically empty. Nora pulled out her phone and realized she had been out cold for over five hours. It was already morning.

She quickly tapped out replies to a few unread messages.

The main lights in the forensics building were off, giving the sterile halls a grim, solemn vibe.

Nora picked up her pace to fall into step beside Cross.

"Thank you for everything last night."

"I can take over from here with the rest of the team. You should head home and get some rest."

Cross was a veteran at the precinct. When Nora first joined the force, Cross had already been the senior medical examiner for years.

She had taken Nora under her wing, patiently guiding her through the ropes.

Their relationship was more akin to a mentor and student than mere colleagues.

But the job was brutal, and as Nora grew capable enough to run the department herself, Cross had started stepping back into a supervisory role.

If this case hadn't been a massive, all-hands-on-deck crisis, she wouldn't have been called in.

"It's fine."

"The case isn't overly complicated, but it requires meticulous attention to detail. You'll need to stay sharp, Nora."

Nora nodded. "I know."

They pushed into the main lab. The bones had already been sorted into distinct categories.

But then Nora's eyes landed on a haphazard pile of bones tossed into a corner.

Nora's stomach dropped.

"What in the world is that?"

Cross gave a dry, cynical smile. "Pig bones."

Nora meticulously checked the pile of pig bones to ensure nothing human had been accidentally discarded, then stepped out to change into her scrubs.

By the time she returned, Cross and the night shift crew had already clocked out.

Her assistant, Julia Ryland, hurried over when she saw Nora.

"Dr. Hayes, I heard Dr. Cross went off on the new guys?"

Nora shot her a look. "Don't exaggerate. She wasn't going off, she was just enforcing basic scientific rigor."

It was a mistake that never should have happened.

But considering they had all been working through the night, fatigue had clearly compromised their judgment.

Thank god for secondary reviews.

"Right... So, what's our next move?"

Nora looked at the pristine, sorted piles of white bones laid out on the metal tables. She took a deep breath. "We rebuild them."