Chapter 10
TEN
Katie entered the medical examiner’s office.
She was always greeted the same way: with sterile surroundings, the sounds of gurneys being moved around, and the smell of antiseptic.
That day the scent of the latter was strong.
In fact, Katie contemplated whether she should come back and give it time to clear.
She had slowed her pace, but decided she needed some answers.
She had called Dr. Dean beforehand and he’d said he would make time for her.
He was always like that with the detectives; he seemed invested in finding the bad guy.
“Detective Scott.”
Katie heard him before she saw him coming down the hallway. “Dr. Dean, it’s always a pleasure.”
There was no confusing the ME with anyone else. He was always dressed casually in khakis and a Hawaiian shirt, usually with sandals. The white smock was usually spattered with blood, as it was today.
“How can I help you?” Dr. Dean asked.
“I need your expertise on the cut marks on the dismembered body parts that were found a couple of months back in Rockview.”
“Of course.”
“Did you see them?”
“Yes, I did and my notes are in here,” he said, fanning the file folders in his hand.
Katie followed him into the main autopsy room, which was like an empty cavern. There was an overwhelming feeling of doom, but she brushed it off.
“So you want to know what kind of instrument was used to separate the limbs?” he said. “I haven’t had the time to go over the finger and arm from today, but I’m familiar.”
“Yes. It will give us a little better understanding of the killer.”
The doctor turned and pulled across a rolling table with instruments lying on top. “Okay. Here are some of the tools we use; I’m sure you’re familiar with a few of them.”
Katie nodded, trying to block out the sound of the gurneys rolling by as technicians went about their duties.
“Here are scalpels and various blades, which are used for making incisions, but not cutting through bone.”
Katie couldn’t believe how shiny the silver instruments were. She couldn’t take her eyes off them.
“And here are the Stryker and bone saws, which are primarily used to cut through the skull and ribs.”
Katie retrieved her phone and swiped to a couple of the photos showing the marks that she assumed had been made during dismemberment. “Would one of those make these marks?” She gave her phone to the doctor.
He studied them. “Possibly. Especially the bone saw. It makes a quick cut with no tearing or messy aftermath.”
“Would it be easy for someone to acquire these?” she said.
“Not easy, but easy enough if you know where to look.” Dr. Dean scrutinized the photos.
“I would safely say that it would be a combination of a bone saw and cutters.” He showed Katie the photo he was talking about.
“See how there’s a simple straight line across the major bones and then it appears the smaller pieces like the tendons and muscles have been snipped through. ”
Katie made note of this; it made sense. “How likely are these to have been used on these bodies?”
“My opinion would be an eighty-five to ninety percent likelihood.”
“That’s great, Dr. Dean. Thank you.”
“I hope it helps in the investigation.”
Katie smiled. “Yes, it will.”
“Any more questions?”
“No, this is it—at least for now.”
“Next time I hope to see your tall partner.” He returned the files and tools. “See you soon.”
Katie left the medical examiner’s office and sat in her vehicle, pondering what to do next. Dr. Dean had given her a good lead, and they would track down who might have access to these types of tools. She made a quick call to the fire dispatch, asking for Arson Investigator Ames.