Page 20 of Long Pig
Willow moved to the house and locked the door with the dogs inside. She decided to make a larger than normal dinner and started the process. The weather was cool enough to use the oven, and she had big plans. She turned on some music and got to work. Dale returned two hours later.
“Ran into one of my buddies who was a decent cop, so we shot the breeze for an hour,” he said as way of explanation. He held up a manila envelope. “Haven’t had a chance to look at this. I’ll do it after dinner. Something smells good.”
“Meatless meatloaf,” she volunteered.
Dale groaned. “It’s not meatloaf without meat. You need to find a new name,” he said grumpily.
“You always grumble, but then you like it. No tofu in it, I promise.”
“That’s something to celebrate.”
She gave him a mock glare.
“I reserve judgment until after I taste it. You are just darned and determined to make me one of those tree huggers.”
“Go take a shower and cool down,” she said, trying to keep from laughing. “I know the trees are safe from you whether you admit it or not.”
“Not bad,” Dale said an hour later, after cleaning his plate of meatless loaf, as she would now call it, and pepper green beans.
“You loved it, and you know it,” she said gleefully.
“I don’t know if I would use the ‘L’ word, but it was good. There’s enough for a meatloaf sandwich or two tomorrow also.”
“Meatless sandwich,” she corrected. “I’ve never had one, so I’ll reserve judgment,” she said, using his own words against him.
“Want to take a look at the paperwork?” Dale asked after they cleaned the kitchen together.
“Sure, I’ll make us some tea first.”
“Meatless loaf, tea, next thing you know my insides will turn green.”
She laughed all the way to the kitchen.
Dale had the paperwork out and was looking at it when she returned with two hot tea mugs.
“This doesn’t look good,” he said and handed her the first three pages.
Willow began reading the report.
FORENSIC AUTOPSY SUMMARY
CASE ID: AZ-1027-20 EXAMINING PATHOLOGIST: Dr. Vikram Singh REMAINS DISCOVERED: Apache County, AZ
I. GROSS EXAMINATION OF REMAINS:
The remains consist of a full human skeleton, entirely defleshed and in a state of advanced decomposition, consistent with an estimated postmortem interval of fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years. The bones are a uniform off-white color and show no signs of soft tissue or cartilage. The majority of the skeletal elements are present and articulated. A meticulous examination was performed to document all antemortem and perimortem trauma.
Gender & Age Determination
Based on the morphological characteristics of the skeletal remains, the individual is determined to be a male, between the ages of 25 and 35. The following features were observed:
Pelvis: The pelvis is narrow, and the subpubic angle is V-shaped and acute. The sciatic notch is deep and narrow. These features are highly indicative of a male biological sex.
Skull: The skull is robust with a prominent brow ridge and a large, blunt mastoid process (the bony prominence behind the ear). The jawline is squared, and the occipital bone at the back of the skull has a noticeable external protuberance. These traits are typically associated with males.
Based on the degree of skeletal metamorphosis, including the changes observed on the pubic symphysis and the sternal end of the fourth rib, the individual is estimated to be between the ages of 25 and 35. These specific skeletal changes are reliable indicators of age in adult remains.
Stature