Page 71 of Cold, Cold Bones

MCME 224-22 had a vertical hinge fracture snaking across its left transverse process, on the medial, or body side of the foramen. I drew the bone closer to the lens. Twisting it this way and that, I spotted a hairline fracture on the lateral, or arch side of the hole.

Hinging. No healing.

Double crap!

The vertebral damage had involved force applied to fresh bone.

As had the jaw fracture.

All that trauma had occurred at the time of death.

I studied the vertebra, mind running plays.

C-6. Lower neck.

Fall? Falls can cause sudden excessive impaction. Such impaction can lead to vertebral fracture. But breaks due to falls are generally compressive in nature, and usually involve the vertebral body. This was a hinge fracture. Of the transverse process.

Strangulation? Strangulation most often affects the hyoid, a smallU-shaped bone embedded in soft tissue in the front of the throat. Boldonado’s hyoid was undamaged.

Whiplash? Not likely.

Blunt force to the head? Face? The chipped tooth and broken jaw were consistent with a strong blow to a living chin. Not so the damage to the vertebra.

I studied the C-6 again. The two tiny fractures set an alarm ringing.

I knew what the pattern suggested.

Didn’t want to accept what it meant.

Before sharing my “case-cracking epiphany” with Slidell, I had to be certain.

I secured Boldonado’s remains, then returned to my office, beginning to feel like a ping-pong ball. A ping-pong ball with cold fear in its belly.

Not bothering to change out of my scrubs, I dialed a number with an eight-four-three area code.

“Charleston County Coroner.”

“Ebony Herrin, please.”

“May I ask who’s calling?”

“Temperance Brennan.”

“Please hold.”

Shortly, a different voice asked, “Well, how are you, Doc?”

“I’m good.” The whole world seemed interested in my health.

“Glad to hear it.”

After a brief exchange of obligatory small talk, I made my request. “I’d like to review my report on a case dating back at least fifteen years. Will my password get me into those old files?”

“Not sure. What’s up?”

“I want to check out some trauma on a man named Noble Cruikshank.”

“Way before my time. But whatever floats your boat. Give me your email, I’ll get it to you in a few days.”