4
The crime scene was a six-foot long trash receptacle in a narrow, shade-filled alley in the Polk Gulch district, a middle-class neighborhood of mostly two- or three-story flats and apartment buildings. Also, a string of businesses lined Polk Street from the foot of Russian Hill to the foot of Nob Hill.
A young policewoman stood guarding the dumpster while other uniformed police kept a growing number of spectators away from the area. As Rebecca approached, she saw a black mylar bag on the street. When she got closer, she saw that next to it was fresh vomit.
A creepy feeling trickled along her spine as she showed her credentials and stated her name. Her partner, Bill Sutter, ran to catch up to her, and he also showed his badge.
The policewoman swallowed hard before saying, “Officer Mea
