GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH, Special Case File 3: Doctor vs. Forensic Intern

“Doctor Say, the chief wants to see you.” The female officer, after much hesitation, finally opened the door to the forensic lab. It wasn’t hard to open, but what was inside made her brace herself before entering. Interrupting the head of the forensic department’s rest was never a good idea.

The young man lying on the sofa slowly pulled the gown off his face, his sharp eyes glancing at the officer at the door before he got up and stretched.

“Be there in a bit.” His voice, usually soft and deep, sounded colder, interrupted during his sleep.

“U-understood.” The female officer quickly left the room and ran to report to her superior.

At this station, there were two people everyone preferred not to encounter. One was Chief Singha, whose mistakes were met with ear-splitting scoldings, and the other was Dr. Say, the head of forensics. Unlike Singha’s yelling, Dr. Say’s calm words and cutting gaze could wound deeply. If Singha was a tiger ready to pounce and tear everything apart, Dr. Say was more like a wolf patiently waiting for his prey to slip before moving in for the kill.

The young doctor yawned all the way, his vibrant red hair clashing with his white shirt and black slacks, a familiar sight. When well-rested, Say was the epitome of quiet composure, but sleep-deprived, he was like a ticking time bomb.

“So, you start your internship today. Dr. Say will oversee and evaluate you.” Singha looked up as someone entered without knocking. “Perfect timing, come in.”

“Who’s this kid?”

“A forensic intern starting today. Introduce yourself.”

“Hello, Dr. Say. I’m Blue, 29 years old. Please take care of me.”

Say scrutinized the young man again. Around 180 cm tall, jet-black hair, sharp features complementing his honey-toned skin, with keen brown eyes… not bad, seemingly not clumsy.

“We just got a new case. You’ll go with me, Say.”

“Mm.”

“What case?”

“A 25-year-old wife went shopping at noon, returned home to find her 55-year-old husband dead in his study, likely from a chronic illness.” The two friends exchanged knowing looks. “But the medication is missing.”

“Suspecting murder then?”

“The deceased was a billionaire, divorced his former wife, remarried his current wife after just three months of dating.”

“Meet at the car.”

Say walked out of Singha’s office back to the forensic lab, with a young intern quietly following behind him. [It wasn’t the first time interns had come here, but only a few made it through their training. Say was curious how long this seemingly arrogant kid would last.]

   “Go get the supplies.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t like repeating myself.” Say’s sharp eyes glanced over with a flat tone, causing the young man to halt.

“I’ve been here less than an hour. How am I supposed to know the system or where anything is? Are you going to order me around without any instructions?”

Say didn’t turn to look; he just stopped walking.

“The ones who survive here are those who learn first. Before speaking, have you entered the room?”

The intense gaze swept over Blue, emotionless, sending a chill down his spine, making him unable to retort further.

Blue was always at the top of his class in forensic science, never second-best in any activity or competition. His life was all about studying, studying, and more studying, which left his social skills lacking, including talking to people. He eyed Say’s broad back before pressing his lips together. When he learned he was being sent here, he expected an older, academic, strict supervisor, but Say was the opposite and someone he never expected to meet…

That person was Dr. Say, one of the top forensic pathologists known for handling tough cases, standing nearly 190 cm tall, with striking red hair against the sterile white room, and infamous for his fierceness.

Upon entering the forensic lab, Blue felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort, as if he might not survive this internship. Say’s sharp eyes watched as Blue picked up a bag and equipment from the shelves near the door. Say was right; there was nothing much to prepare when everything was already packed for quick deployment. He just had to retrieve it, it was the first lesson he learned in forensics.

“I’m sorry.” Blue decided to speak up to end the tension.

“About what?”

“Sorry for arguing with you earlier.” The young man said. Say didn’t respond much, just walked closer until the height difference was palpable to the person standing by the door. His sharp eyes stared until the young man felt breathless, but before he could say anything, a heavy bag hit his chest, landing in his arms.

“Don’t get in the way.” Say said before walking out with a camera in hand, leaving only the young man heaving a sigh of relief.

When they reached the scene, Singha told the officers to leave so the forensic team could work. Darin approached, clapping his friend’s shoulder, pointing backward.

“Is that the new kid Singha took in?”

“Intern.”

“Yeah, he’s a looker. He’s like the eye-candy son I never had.”

“Since when did Thup become not-your son?”

“Since the kid came to the station. What’s his name again?”

“Blue.”

“You think he’ll make it?”

“Not sure yet.”

“Take it easy.” Darin patted her friend’s shoulder, whispering, “If this one doesn’t make it, you’re in for some heavy work next time, I won’t come to help.”

“Are you worried about me or looking for the eye-candy?”

“Eye-candy.” Darin laughed softly before snatching the camera from Say to photograph the crime scene.

“Should I start collecting evidence around the area?” Blue asked as he entered the scene.

“Uh-huh.”

Every move Blue made was under the watchful eyes of the forensic doctor leaning against the door frame, observing everything. Properly equipped with shoe covers, the young man displayed good skills, not missing the gloves as Say had anticipated. Everything went into the bag without needing instructions, but then Blue suddenly stopped, prompting Say to approach.

“What’s up?”

“There’s a wet mark at the base of the victim’s glass.”

Say leaned down to look at the victim’s tea glass. It wouldn’t be unusual for there to be water droplets around the glass… if it had been cold water. Not hot.

“Collect it.”

“Yes.” As Blue was collecting the sample, he fumbled, spilling the tea on himself up to his arm, “Oh… sorry, boss.”

“Put everything down.”

“Sir?”

“Put it down!” The shout made Blue, who was already worried about getting scolded, even more anxious. Say grabbed him by the collar and forcefully pulled him away from the area. “Rin, make sure you collect the sample and send it to the lab, don’t touch anything else.”

“Sure, sure, let’s go.” Darin had worked with his friend for a long time. She knew both friends well. They wouldn’t scold without reason, but their harsh actions spoke volumes.

The new intern, on his first real fieldwork, had made a mistake, getting dragged out by the collar, only to worry about his error. His mistake wasn’t just contaminating the scene; it could also compromise the case. Once dragged to the chief’s car, Say let go.

“I’m really sorry—”

“Take off your shirt.”

“Sir?”

“I told you I don’t like repeating myself. When I give an order, follow it.”

“But…”

“Are you going to do it yourself, or do I have to tear it off?”

The seriousness in Say’s demeanor made Blue comply without any room for resistance. His smooth, honey-toned skin came into view. Though not heavily muscled, his physique was well-proportioned.

“Hold out your arm.” This time, there were no questions, no hesitation. Blue extended his arm to his boss, not wanting to cause more trouble. Water from a bottle was poured over his arm down to his hand and repeated until Blue had to ask.

“What’s in the water?”

“In the housekeeper’s investigation report, she started feeling dizzy, tired, nauseous, and had diarrhea on Sunday. She began experiencing fatigue, chest tightness this morning, and before she died, she had difficulty breathing, then her heart failed.” Blue listened to the now softer voice, a stark contrast to before. The rough hand gently stroked his arm, contradicting his tough demeanor. “What do you think?”

“…Carbamate.” [1] Carbamates, a group of chemicals used as pesticides.

   “Good guess. Thought you might go for something else.”

“It’s colorless and can cause heart failure. If someone wanted to kill in a way that looks like an accident related to pre-existing heart conditions, they’d choose this.” After speaking, Blue’s chin was lifted by the rough hand, his red hair contrasting slightly with his fair skin, his dark, intense eyes matching his sharp features.

“Sit here.”

“But my work—”

“I don’t like people arguing.”

“I’m not arg—” Blue stopped when the man raised an eyebrow as if scolding him with a look. “This is my first real job.”

“And?”

“And I messed up.”

“Yes, you did. You contaminated the crime scene, damaged vital evidence, and put yourself at risk.”

“I’m sorry, boss.” Blue stood up and bowed sincerely. He wasn’t the type to be overly confident in himself to the point of not listening. He was ready to apologize and correct his mistakes.

“Next time, don’t mess up. Go wait in the car and monitor your symptoms. If anything feels off, call someone.” Say handed Blue his own jacket that was left on Singha’s car for the young man who was sitting there.

“Sure” Not even taking a step back into the crime scene, Say’s shirt was tugged from behind.

“Hmm”

“Doctor Say… thank you.”

Say walked back into the crime scene with the close friends watching him with teasing smiles.

“What the hell is this?” Say asked before starting to gather all the evidence again.

“Singha, I heard the dogs around here badmouthing you, dude.” Darin said, raising his voice slightly.

“Bad Mouthing me how?” Singha, who had just returned after questioning the house residents, joined in.

“They said the kid is annoying, how could you stand him?”

“Really? But I just saw the guy who finds kids annoying petting the kid’s arm.”

“OMG, I knew it. My inner shipper still works!”

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be working? If not, get out, you’re in the way.”

“Snort, the maid said every morning the wife would make tea for the deceased, alone in the kitchen, confident that early this month she heard the wife urging the deceased to rewrite his will.”

“If the autopsy matches with this drug, the case is closed.” Say had his subordinates take the body back to the station for further examination, “Rin, go back and recheck the kid’s body too.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“Is that my job?”

“Oh, come on, you just want to check thoroughly out of concern, don’t pretend I don’t know Blue is your type, right Singha?” Darin shook her friend’s arm for solidarity.

“Nonsense.” Say shook his head slightly before packing away the evidence from the scene into his bag.

Singha didn’t add anything to Darin’s comments. He just smiled at his friends’ banter; whatever was going to happen would happen. He and Thup were examples of that.

Three weeks passed with the intern Blue joining them. Though they didn’t talk much, it was strange that there was never any awkwardness in the office. Blue was organizing equipment for evidence collection into his bag, having just used it in yesterday’s case. During this, a cold touch on his cheek made him look up.

“Thank you.” Blue’s slender eyes glanced at the person bringing him a cold drink, which he accepted. The scent of menthol cigarettes was another thing Blue was getting used to with this person.

“Where are you going tonight?” Say asked before sprawling on the sofa, “Back to my room.”

“Singha is taking you out for dinner.”

“The chief is buying dinner? For what occasion?”

“Free time.”

Another thing Blue was getting accustomed to was Say’s concise speech. He wondered how much more economical he could get with words, “Are you inviting me, sir?”

“And why would I not?”

“Well…” Every time there was a field assignment, if nothing thrilling happened, it was always Blue who got scolded. It was clear that the person currently covering his face with a gown for a nap didn’t like him, “You don’t like me.”

“What makes you think that?”

“You’re always scolding me, no matter if I’m right or wrong.” Blue immediately bit his lip, having spent the last two weeks in close proximity with Say, which had started to break down their initial barriers. Say removed the gown from his face, stood up to his full height, and walked over to the intern with twinkling eyes, then slowly squatted beside him without breaking eye contact.

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

“Here, interns never last more than three days.”

“So… what now?”

“The fact that you’re still here means I’m already very kind.”

“This is your version of kindness?”

“What do you think?”

“It’s far from kind.”

Say chuckled in his throat before gently tapping the forehead of the intern in front of him.

“I’ll try my best.”

“I’ll try to work better so you don’t have to try so hard to be kind.”

“Finish packing, and I’ll see you outside.”

“Where are we going?”

“Taking the kid out for something to eat.” Blue smiled after the red-haired man walked out of the room.

No, he didn’t think Dr. Say was cruel at all, quite the opposite; his kindness made his heart beat faster once again.

 

GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH CHAPTERS HOME