Page 49 of Evil Bones
“I’ll warn you. Ruthie can be”—Katy groped for the proper descriptor—“cantankerous.”
“Good word, that.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know when I plan to drop her off.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
We’d barely disconnected when Nguyen appeared at my door. Apparently, she, too, had no social life.
Nguyen’s eyes took in the framed 1920s Ireland travel poster hanging on one wall, the plants lining the windowsill, the whiteboard with its jumble of scribbled notes. Her gaze rested briefly on the collection of Ziplocs almost filling the top of one file cabinet. On the bones and body parts inside each.
“How many does this last one make?” she asked, nodding in the direction of Bear’s skull.
“Eight.”
“Unfortunately, now it’s nine. Same decorative elements. Slightly different MO. Instead of being nailed high up on the tree, these remains were found at its base.”
“Where?”
“The Stevens Creek Nature Preserve. Down by Mint Hill.”
Nope. No way.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Nguyen. My niece is staying with me for a few days, so I’d rather not go all the way out—”
“There’s no need for a scene recovery. The remains are here.”
“In the morgue?”
“Yes. The gentleman who found them is a birder named, are you ready for it?”
I nodded.
“Devlin Finch. Mr. Finch stated that he collected the material hoping for avian specimens. Ultimately, he boxed everything and called the police.”
“Why the change of heart?”
“He said when he got the bones home and spread them out something didn’t look kosher.”
“Meaning?”
“I’ve no idea. That’s what the officer told me when he delivered the box. Anyway, they’re here. But it’s nothing that can’t wait a few days.”
Two emotions fought for supremacy. Relief that I wouldn’t have to go on another recovery trek. Dismay that Finch’s actions, though well-intentioned, may have compromised a scene and possibly led to the loss of evidence.
Probably no biggie since the deceased wasn’t human.
It was a supposition that would prove incorrect.
By eight the following morning, I was in autopsy room four, suited up in gloves and scrubs. A mask hid the expression of shock on my face.
Bones and mummified tissue lay separated into groupings on two gurneys. Contrary to my initial plan, I’d ended up viewing each scrap using every means possible. By gross observation. Under magnification. Via X-ray.
Though damaged and badly eroded, sufficient anatomical detail had survived. My conclusion was undeniable.
Case MCME-741-25, initially logged in ascollection of animal bones, contained elements that were clearlyHomo sapiens. Rib and limb segments. A hunk of pelvis, including a portion of pubic symphysis. A partial sternum. Numerous skull fragments.
Since I’d worked unassisted, there’d been no one with whom to share my startling discovery. No one with whom to speculate. Questions whirled unvoiced in my head.
