Clara wanted to walk over to the body and see if he or she was still alive at least. A CPR could do wonders if the person was still alive. But common sense had told her to wait for the police.
"I'm Clara." She said to the lady that stopped them. She wouldn't be anything above twenty-two years old. She was wearing a loose jean and a long sleeved top, a slow look at the side showed her wheelbarrow that contained cutlass, hoe and cassava stems. She was probably heading to the farm before she saw the body. Most people in Bramhills were farmers, as importation of farm produce was one of the easiest and fastest way of making money in the state.
"I'm Nima." The girl replied extending her shaky hand for a handshake.
Clara took in her hand and rubbed it gently, with a beautiful smile.
"Do not worry, we'll be fine. I'll stay here till the police arrive. Okay?"
Nima nodded, her gratitude evident on her face.
"Is that the body?"
They heard Jane asked from behind. She turned around and saw her out of the car.
"Janey, please get inside the car. You need to stay inside please."
"I'm not a baby." Janet insisted. She came out and leaned on the car while having a clear view of the clearing and a view of few parts of the body lying there. "Is it a man or a woman?"
"I have no idea yet. I would have gone closer but I don't want to tamper with the body. The police might not appreciate that." She explained.
"Let's wait for them please." Jane said, visibly tensed.
The faint sound of siren told them that the police were on their way, this helped Jane relax a bit. In less than three minutes, a police car pulled over and Ignas, came down to meet them. She was accompanied by two other police officers, who quickly headed to the scene. Ignas stepped up to them.
"Clara, how are you?" She asked, giving Clara a hug.
"I'm fine Ignas. You didn't come with an Ambulance, whoever that is, might still be alive." She said pointing at the body.
"The ambulance is on the way. My team and I were quite close when you called." Ignas stepped over and gave Jane a hug as well. "Are you okay. Don't you want to sit in the car?" She asked.
"I'm perfectly okay standing here Ignas." Jane replied sweetly. "And I don't mean to sound rude, but your uniform, it's got this choking detergent smell that makes me want to puke. Kindly ask if I want a hug next time before you give me one." She said batting her eyes in a bid to act sweet.
Ignas turned sharply. "Excuse me....., this is my uniform and it's dry cleaned with a detergent." Ignas started, but got a wink from Clara. She sighed and turned to Nima. "I'm Detective Derim, and those are detectives George and Bolton. We work with Bramhills state police" She said offering a handshake.
"I'm Nima." The girl replied in a small voice, as she shook hands with Ignas.
"You discovered the body?"
"Yes." Nima replied.
"Is that the body?" Ignas asked, pointing to a body in the clearing.
"Yes." Clara answered, wondering if the owner of the land will be notified. She turned to Nima. "Is the body on your farm?"
Nima shook her head. "Our farm is inside, but we normally take this route to get to it." She replied.
"I'll be asking the questions Clara henceforth." Ignas said, and Clara nodded.
The officers started heading towards the body. "Will they tell us what happened when they piece it all together?" Jane asked eagerly.
"We can't possibly do that. Moreso, we all use detergents on our uniform." Came Ignas reply.
"Oh come on Ignas, don't be a ninny. I'm pregnant for crying out loud, what do you expect."
"I'm a bit busy now, but I'll tell you exactly what. I expect when we're done with all this." She said.
"They will definitely put out a statement once they've pieced it all together Janey." Clara said, aware of her friend's emotional stability. If she doesn't reassure her, she might break down into tears the next minute and later, it will blamed on the not so innocent pregnancy hormones.
"Thank you Clar. I would love to go inside the car now." Janet squeaked.
Clara came close to her, opened the car door and helped her into the car. She planted a soft peck on her baby bump as well.
"Oh, Clar, Jane breathed, grabbing Clara's hand. "I love you so much."
Clara laughed at the sudden tears in Jane's eyes, but for some reason she could feel herself tearing up as well. "I love you, too, Janey." She squeezed her friend's hand, saying, "Stay in the car, alright. I will be back in a jiffy."
Janet nodded meekly.
Once Clara stepped out to the clearance, she noticed a tape has been wound round the scene preventing others from freely accessing to the body, which has now been turned over. 'It was a woman.'
Ignas was across the tape with the victim. Detective. George quickly took some pictures of the victim with her cellphone. Clara knew that was the sanest thing to do, because getting a group of forensics to the scene, was almost impossible, since the incident didn't take place in the capital.
Officer Bolton was outside the clearing, speaking to Nima, when they heard Ignas. "I can feel a pulse, where is the goddamn ambulance? Bolton!!" Ignas shouted.
Two more police cars pulled over and the officers rushed over to the clearing staying behind the tape. "What do you need ma'am?" One of the officers asked.
"Get me the fucking ambulance!" Ignas shot at him.
"Ignas, if there is a pulse, maybe I can help." Clara called out from across the line.
"Stay out of this Clara. Can someone get me the fucking ambulance!!" She yelled at the officers.
"The Ambulance is seventeen minutes away ma'am." Bolton replied.
"Bloody hell!"
By now, a small crowd started building across the road, smart phones were seen raised high to capture the unfolding scene. The other officers made sure the crowd stayed away from the scene, by blocking them off.
"Ignas, I can help!" Clara tried again.
"Your mother will kill me." Ignas murmured as she wedged a mental Battle.
"I think you should let her help." Detective George suggested.
"Like I have a choice." She sneered. "Let her through."
Clara was given some gloves and a plastic boot and allowed across the tape. Two more officers wearing same followed as they reviewed the scene, picking up tiny details that might suggest anything other than an accident.
With the help of Ignas, Clara placed the victim on her back, and secured her airway. Establishing a pulse, she laced her hands together and started the chest compressions.
"26, 27, 28, 29, 30." She bent over and pushed in two breaths using the mouth to mouth method and resumed the chest compressions again. She worked her hands tirelessly, as slow drops of sweat started dripping down her face.
The faint sound of the ambulance brought complete joy to almost everybody. Less than two minutes later, the ambulance pulled up and the victim was immediately placed on oxygen and wheeled into the ambulance. Detective George followed the ambulance to the capital.
"Who is she?" Clara asked Ignas as they stepped outside the tape.
"Her ID read Felicia Lowen. The only Lowen I know stays at the capital and the man is a billionaire." She replied, moving over to Nima."
"Bolton, take a lead on this one and wrap it up once you're done, I'm headed to the hospital. Meet me up at the coroner's office with your report." She said, as she turned to leave.
"I'll love to come too." Clara said, running after her.
"Hell no, go home child. You've got your nasty friend to care for."
"But I want to come." Clara insisted.
"Please, go home Clara."
"Please..... Please Ignas, I promise to be of my best behavior, and Janet, she will stay in the car. They might have some questions that I can offer an answer to. Medical related questions.." Clara tried again.
"Of course Ignas knew there was no such thing. But she couldn't say no to Clara."
"Fine. Make sure you stay out of my way and get your friend to stay in the car or at the reception. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am." Clara replied and rushed back to her car.
Jane who came out from the car again when the crowd started building up was seen chatting with someone in the crowd. "Janey, we gotta go." She called.
Janet bid her goodbyes and entered the car. "You were a superhero girl, I'm so fucking proud of you!" Jane exclaimed excitedly. "The lady out there said I was lucky to have such an amazing friend like you. She seem to know you though. I guess you're popular in Bramhills."
"What, Who?" Clara asked starting the car, just as Ignas started her own car and steadily she drove behind Ignas, letting her lead the way.
"The lady I was talking with, Elena, she called you by your name and said I was lucky to have you as a friend." Jane said again.
"I think she's mistaken, very few people know me in Bramhills. And I don't even know the lady in question."
"Oh really, maybe I imagined she referred to you by your name. I guess I'm the one mistaken.... But, why are we following Ignas?" Janet querried.
"Because, we're headed to the hospital. I know you're gonna scream. But please Janey, I just want to see that lady and make sure she's well. Please don't scream." Clara pleaded, still keeping her face glued on the road.
"What the actual hell!!! We are suppose to be home right now. I'm so exhausted and you want to take me to a fucking hospital. I told you I feel nauseated when I'm in such a setting."
"You don't have to do anything J, just stay in the car and you'll be good okay."
Jane grumbled and placed her head on the car seat.