The hefty doctor continued. “The human body has difficulty fighting a virus, like the flu, partly because most macrophages do not recognize them as enemies so do not begin the steps to neutralize the intruders. But this new body in this man’s blood is a tremendously evolved virus, which can identify any foreign substance, and begin the defense of the body very quickly. We tested some on tainted blood. Bacteria were destroyed within minutes. Blood containing the flu virus was completely neutralized within an hour. These bodies seem even to create substances that will neutralize most known poisons. Think of your normal bodily defenses as a Sopwith Camel. The new bodies would turn it into a Japanese Zero. Faster, smoother, deadlier.”
Captain Underwood looked stunned. “And the third change?”
Bell and his daughter looked at each other and shrugged. Bell answered, “We aren’t completely sure of our results. The first data samples are so unbelievable, we have scheduled a new group of tests for tomorrow. We hesitate to even talk about it until we know more.”
Underwood nodded. “Let me guess. The subject gets superhuman speed and strength.”
Both father and daughter looked at Underwood in amazement. Marie cocked her head to the side and asked, “How could you know that? Was this man that much out of the ordinary?”
The captain laughed. “You have no idea. In the meantime, why is this so unbelievable? There are hundreds of cases on file where people have done amazing things like picking up a car. They are hardly normal, but they wouldn’t stun the medical world. The body produces a substance to give us extra strength in need. Adrenalin, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but in our bodies, adrenalin is created in a small gland at the base of the brain. It can cause these superhuman traits, but only for a brief period of time. The gland is so small it can only manufacture a limited supply of the hormone. Also there is a short lag time before the adrenalin takes affect because it has to be dumped into the blood stream, and the circulatory system has to spread the chemical throughout the body. These unknown masses in the blood are in effect small glands that each can manufacture small amounts of a very powerful adrenalin-like substance. This chemical is already in the blood stream, so its effect is almost instantaneous. Because these masses are spread throughout the body, it affects all parts of the body concurrently.”
Underwood looked stricken. “How do these glands know to manufacture the adrenalin at the same time?”
The senior Dr. Bell laughed. “Good question. The answer is, we haven’t a clue. But then, we’ve only been studying these bodies for a few hours. It might take years or even decades to discover the secret of these bodies. Maybe if we had a live subject we could learn more.”
“Well, I can’t give you a live one, but the creature who gave us the blood sample is lying on a slab somewhere around here. But before you get busy on that, some more questions. Can these traits be passed on to others? In other words, is this condition contagious?”
“I hope so! I could certainly use the extra vitality and energy this condition would give me.”
“Even if it means killing people to preserve it?”
“Well, that’s a different kettle of fish now, isn’t it? Anyway, the answer to the question is, I haven’t the slightest idea where these bodies came from or how and if they can be passed from one person to another. A great deal of testing will have to be done to find answers like that, preferably on live subjects.”
The police captain nodded. “Okay, now what about improved hearing and sight. Any sign of heightened senses?”
Bell cocked his head. “Jeeze, you don’t want much do you? We’ve had this sample less than twelve hours. I would not expect to find any evidence of enhanced senses in the blood. Possibly we can detect other differences during the autopsy. I’ll see to that at once.” He walked over to a phone near the door.
As her father moved out of earshot, Marie turned to Underwood. “So how are you doing, Jim?”
He looked down at his feet. “Pretty well, but Ellen called this afternoon. It kinda threw me. Actually all she wanted was to get some of the things she stored. I should know better by now.”
Marie looked at him with sympathetic eyes. “It takes time. I understand. Just remember, if you ever need to talk, or anything, I’ll be there for you.”
“Thanks Marie, for everything. I really need your support; it means a lot to me, and you mean a lot to me. But I’m just not ready for anything more - not just yet.”
Dr. Bell returned. “Well the body is here and Morgan is prepping it for the autopsy now. I think I need my best forensic specialist on this one. Don’t you agree, Captain?”
Underwood blushed again. “Well, I don’t want to stand in your way. Please remember, I need results as soon as possible. Anything out of the ordinary, especially any ways to distinguish these people from the rest of us. It’s very important.”
Bell replied as he started to usher his daughter out of the room, “Don’t forget to send us that video tape. It should give us some insight into what we see in the autopsy. And in the meantime, why don’t you ask my daughter to get a bite to eat? It’s the only way I can get her out of this lab.”
Underwood left with the sound of Marie’s melodic voice scolding her father for the millionth time for his lack of tact.
Chapter 6
Uncertainty hit Underwood as he left the lab. What should he do now? Should they have O’Mullens arrested? The videotape would be enough to get a warrant but could they convict? He doubted it. They knew they had O’Mullens on tape, but the quality of the surveillance cameras wasn’t great, and a good lawyer could instill some doubt in the jury. They also had the video of Patrick’s interview, but that would almost certainly be thrown out as being irrelevant to the murder.
***
Marvin Uhlman pushed the gurney into the autopsy suite. He’d worked for Dr. Bell for twelve years, so he knew the routine well. Placing the gurney next to the scales he managed to lug the body onto the platform with a series of rather brutal shoves, pushes and pulls. Fortunately comfort for the patient was no longer a concern at this stage. And Marvin had to admit the corpse was easier to handle without the head.
Once the head was placed with the body, he recorded the weight of the corpse, then transferred the body back to the gurney long enough to move it onto the autopsy table. The table was a waist high aluminum tray slightly slanted to allow drainage. Faucets and spigots were located systematically around the table to facilitate washing the table and its contents. The body was measured and the results placed on the chart. The final step in the preparation was placing a “body block” under the torso, causing the chest to protrude outward and the arm and head to fall back. This allowed for maximum exposure of the chest to make it easier for the necessary incisions.
Marvin double-checked the list to make sure the arena was ready for the autopsy. Satisfied, he hung the clipboard containing the body’s charts on a hook hanging above the table, and went back to the reception area. After all, it was time for “Days of our Lives.”
As the police captain got in his car, his cell phone rang. Reaching toward his waist to grab it, it slipped from his grip and fell to the floor. With an exasperated sigh he reached down across the seat to retrieve it, as something smacked into the windshield in front of him. Looking up, it took only a second to realize that the three-quarter inch hole in the glass came from a bullet. He dove, flattening himself on the floorboard as another shot spattered glass fragments over him. Two more smashed into the firewall of the car, impacting with enough force to rock the vehicle. He fumbled with the glove compartment trying to get his gun out, but his body was wedged in front of it. By now people were coming out to see what was going on. A car peeled rubber leaving the far corner of the parking lot. Two uniformed security guards came out of the front door, guns drawn, but there was no target. The sniper was gone.
Underwood crawled out of the car, not an easy task for someone wedged tightly under the dashboard. One officer came to assist him. The other headed for the spot where the mystery car had been parked. Talking to witnesses and describing his version of the shooting took several minutes. The cell phone was forgotten until it rang again. He opened the car door and picked up the phone. It was Martha, his secretary.
“Captain you need to come to the police station immediately.”
“I’m involved with something right now, but I’ll be on my way in soon. Oh, and Martha, have another copy of the Patrick interview tape made and send it over to Doctor Bell’s office immediately, please.”
“I’m sorry, sir. That won’t be possible.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m under orders not to discuss it over the phone, but you need to come to the station at once.”
“Are the preparations complete, Marie?” Dr. Bell put the surgical gown over his scrubs.
His daughter was already dressed. “Yes, Doctor. Marvin finished prepping the body about five minutes ago. Everything is ready when you are, sir.”
The pair of forensic experts entered Autopsy Lab 2 and helped each other cover their hands with a double layer of skintight rubber gloves, standard procedure in these days of so many infectious diseases. They put on clear plastic face shields and approached the autopsy table.
Dr. Bell flipped on the microphone protruding from the ceiling. “This is autopsy number 9821402, dated February eleventh, 2002. Dr. Samuel Bell presiding with Dr. Marie Bell assisting.” He consulted the chart that Marvin had filled out. “The subject’s name is James Patrick. We have an address of 214 Spring Street, Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Patrick is six foot, one inch tall and weighs 194 pounds. According to existing records the subject is approximately 52 years of age. Earlier I viewed a videotape where the subject appeared to be in his early fifties, but later in the tape, he seemed to be physically younger. On observation today I would estimate his age as middle twenties. No known disease or hormone could make a change like this. Before beginning this autopsy, I double-checked the subject’s fingerprints against the prints of the suspect who was arrested on the night of February nine, and who was found dead in his cell early this morning. The prints match. Somehow the subject lost thirty years of age within the last twenty-four hours. Hence this extensive autopsy.”
A pleasant surprise. The car started at once. Apparently the bullets had missed the engine. Underwood knew he’d better get the car checked over just to make sure. Maybe Sergeant Peters in the motor pool could look it over while he took care of whatever emergency this turned out to be.
He had to drive cautiously until Peters could check the car out, so it took nearly an hour to make the twenty minute drive to the station.. And of course Henry Street was under construction again. Lately it seemed that wherever he went he ran into one kind of construction or another. The price of progress, or so the bureaucrats claimed.
A sea of squad cars, lights flashing, filled Habersham Street, as Underwood pulled up outside headquarters. An ambulance blocked the sidewalk at the entrance and bystanders milled outside the doors. Abandoning his car at the fringe of the crowd, Underwood spotted Lieutenant Morris talking to a group of uniformed officers. He walked through the commotion toward the group. Morris spotted him and moved toward him.
“Good morning, Captain. Have you been briefed, sir?”
“No, Lieutenant. I’ve been out. What’s happening?”
“Commissioner Williams is dead. He was killed in his office this morning. His head was chopped off.”
The autopsy was going smoothly. Both doctors did the external examination of the body, finding nothing out of the ordinary. After the wounds to the head were examined and photographed, they did the same to the torso. Next, Marie opened the chest, with a Y-shaped incision. The incision extended from each shoulder down to the bottom of the breastbone and continued down to the pubic bone. Marie performed the duties of the diener, handling the scalpel. Dr. Bell had the role of prosector, directing the activities. Once the skin, muscle and soft tissue was peeled back, Marie used the saw to open the rib cage and remove the chest plate.
“Marie, before we disturb the organs any further, check the pulmonary artery.” She then nodded and picked up the scalpel again and made a vertical slit in the pericardial sac around the heart. Locating the pulmonary artery where it exits the heart, she opened it lengthwise and stuck her finger in the opening. This technique is usually employed to check for any blood clots that passed through the heart and lodged in the artery, shutting off the flow of blood. This is a common cause of death in hospital patients. Dr. Bell did not expect to find any clots, but was looking for anything out of the ordinary in the body. When you are making medical history, you don’t want to neglect even the most unlikely procedures.
“Nothing, Doctor.”
“Okay let’s start on the organs.”
The news stunned Underwood. “What? Williams dead? How?”
“At 9:35 Mrs. Laumer took her coffee break and left Commissioner Williams alone in his office. At 9:50 she returned to find sticky spots on the carpet outside the closed door to his office. When she tried to clean the spots she realized they were blood. There was no answer to her knocks, so she opened the door to discover the commissioner’s headless torso sitting behind his desk. Apparently whoever offed him was so fast, Williams didn’t even move out of his chair. The head was found behind the wastebasket. According to the medical guys the head was severed with one swing of an axe or sword or something. Musta been a big guy to do that.”
“Yeah, or a sweet little old Congresswoman.”
Morris blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Never mind, Lieutenant. Any fingerprints or other evidence?”
“The lab boys are finishing now, but the last word was nothing. Lots of prints, but preliminary results won’t be ready for hours. No one saw anything or anyone suspicious.”
Underwood shook his head, “Well, we can kiss off any chance of keeping the death of our suspect quiet now. In about twelve hours we’ve had two people murdered, one of them the Commissioner of Police. Two people with their heads chopped off inside a police station. And nobody saw anyone or anything out of the ordinary!” His voice rose with each sentence. He took a deep breath and continued. “The media is going to crucify this entire police force.”
They walked as they talked. Paramedics passed them wheeling a gurney. Following the gurney, they entered the outer office. William’s secretary sat at her desk, sobbing into a handful of Kleenex. Underwood went to her. “Grace, I’m so sorry. Is there anything we can do?
The middle-aged secretary recognized the captain and rushed into his arms. “Oh, Captain Underwood. Why would anyone do this?”
“It’s okay, Grace. I promise, someone will pay for this.” He patted her hand and entered the inner office.
The body was still seated behind the desk. Underwood marveled that someone could get close enough to the commissioner with a sword in hand without him making some sort of effort to protect himself. Even the facial expression on the bodiless head showed no signs of distress. Nothing in the room indicated a struggle or anything out of the ordinary.
The men moved out of the office to let the lab team finish their work. Taking a chair next to Grace’s desk, they listened as she repeated her story. The events occurred much as the lieutenant had described. Bloody paper towels tossed in the wastebasket bore witness to her attempts to clean the mess before she realized what the stains were.
The ambulance attendants brought out the gurney. Underwood silently motioned the technicians to stop and took one last look under the sheet. Someone had respectfully put his head in the right position, so the body looked intact, but the captain could see the gap between the neck and the rest of the body. As he raised the sheet, Grace glanced at the body of the man who had been her boss for twelve years, and suddenly collapsed. Jim grabbed her before she hit the floor, and, with help from a nearby patrolman, managed to maneuver her back to the waiting room sofa.
“We’ll use the Rokitansky method, of course.”
“Of course, doctor.”
The most typical method, the dissector starts at the neck and proceeds downward, so that all the organs contained in the trunk can be removed at once. Once the chest was opened, Marie located the carotid and subclavian arteries in the neck and upper chest, and tied a long string to each. This made it easier for the mortician to locate the arteries for injection of embalming fluids.
While she accomplished this, Dr. Bell detached the larynx and esophagus from the pharynx, using a medium scalpel. Marie pulled the larynx and esophagus downward as her father freed the remainder of the chest organs from the spine, cutting away the attaching muscles and ligaments. Few directions were needed. Years of working together gave each a feel for the other, and they worked in synchrony, like instruments in an orchestra.
The diaphragm was now cut away from the body wall, leaving the organs connected to the trunk only by the pelvic ligaments, rectum, and bladder. Marie severed this connection with a single slash, as her father pulled the organs down and out of the body and placed them on the dissecting tray, mounted on the table above the legs.
Underwood left the other officers to calm the commissioner’s secretary and found Lieutenant Morris.
“My secretary said something about the tape of the Patrick interview.”
“Gone, sir. Whoever killed the commissioner took it.”
“Make a note to have the GRIL guys check to see if they used the same weapon that killed Patrick.”