Page 73 of Cold, Cold Bones
I described the trauma to Boldonado’s jaw, said it was probably caused by a blow to the chin.
Slidell drew in air. I cut off his question.
“The damage was antemortem. That means it occurred to living, not dry bone. Living bone has collagen fibers which give it flexibility. The ability to bend explains why Boldonado’s jaw fractures show beveling and overlap along the broken edges. Also—”
“So what? Some guy punched Boldonado in the face. Don’t mean he didn’t off himself.”
I described the trauma to the C-6 vertebra.
When finished, I asked, “Do you remember a PI named Noble Cruikshank?”
I waited out a pause as Slidell considered the name.
“The drunk got booted from the job for pledging his soul to Jimmy B?”
“Yes. Noble Cruikshank died in 2006. His body was found in Charleston County hanging from a tree, a presumed suicide. Only it wasn’t. Hold on. I’m going to text you a photo.”
Finding a close-up of Boldonado’s C-6, I hit send. In seconds I heard the image ping in on Slidell’s end.
“See the fractures?”
“Mmm.”
“You’re viewing the left side of the sixth cervical vertebra.”
“Don’t start with no jargon.”
“A lower neck vertebra. See how the left transverse process—the part that sticks out on the right side in the photo—shows a hinge fracture through the lamina closest to the camera, and a hairline crack through the lamina farther back?”
“Mmm.”
“That pattern is classic for garroting, not hanging. Do you want me to explain what the differences are and why?”
“No. By garroting you mean strangulation?”
“Strangulation using a double noose with a side loop secured to a solid object.”
“You put the noose around the vic’s neck, then tighten it by twisting the object. That cuts off blood flow to the brain and air to the lungs.”
“Exactly. A muscle originates where those fractures are, the anterior scalene, and that area is a pressure point for the carotid artery. Do you want me to explain why only the C-6 fractured?”
“Later.”
“Homicide fits with what Quintal said about knots.”
“You’re saying someone clocked Boldonado, garroted him, then strung him up to make it look like suicide?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. But it’s exactly what happened with Cruikshank.”
I waited out a very long, very deep silence.
