Chapter 135: What's Wrong With the Third Precinct's Detective?
The Third Precinct's forensic doctor was highly efficient, the autopsy was already complete, though the report hadn't been finalized yet.
The autopsy was conducted by a professor from Howard University's College of Medicine. Professors from Howard had long provided forensic pathology services to D.C. law enforcement, forming the core academic strength of the city's forensic work.
The professor led everyone to the body refrigeration unit and pulled out the deceased.
"Body number DCME-0086. Female, five-three, approximately one hundred forty-six pounds, full-figured. DCME-0086 has long reddish-brown hair with brown roots. Time of death was around seven A.M. on Tuesday."
The professor pulled on gloves and parted the deceased's hair.
Theodore and Bernie leaned in to observe. The color of the hair roots did seem different.
Fearing they couldn't see clearly, the professor thoughtfully handed them a magnifying glass.
Under magnification, the color difference at the roots became particularly obvious. Reddish-brown and brown were similar but not identical colors. The former leaned red, while the latter was more brownish.
"What was the deceased's profession?" Theodore asked Detective Thomas.
Thomas put down the magnifying glass and shook his head. "We haven't had time to investigate that yet."
Normal enough. The Third Precinct completing an autopsy within a day already surprised Theodore. He recalled Agent Lombardi's assessment of the Third Precinct and felt his words had been somewhat biased.
A brief silence fell.
The professor looked around, pointed to the skull fracture location, and continued explaining: "DCME-0086 has a comminuted fracture of the entire occipital bone, measuring four-point-seven by three-point-nine inches, with brain tissue extravasation. The fracture line extends to the parietal bone."
He released the hair and lifted the left half of the body, revealing the back. "Extensive abrasions on the left shoulder area and back skin. The fractured end of the left sixth rib penetrated the lower left lung lobe. The right lobe of the liver was ruptured. The spleen had a penetrating rupture."
Up to this point, the professor had only described characteristics consistent with death from a high fall.
Theodore didn't rush to ask questions. He could tell this professor was highly skilled and wouldn't have only this much to present.
The professor calmly pulled the deceased completely out, pointing separately to the hands and feet. "DCME-0086 has circular subcutaneous hemorrhages on both wrists and ankles, zero-point-four-seven inches wide, accompanied by epidermal exfoliation."
After a pause, he offered a more direct explanation: "These are restraint injuries. DCME-0086 was tied up by someone with a rope approximately half an inch wide around her hands and feet while she was still alive."
The professor grabbed the deceased's right hand and showed them. "DCME-0086's right index and middle fingernails are broken. There are contusions on the left rib area. These are defensive injuries. She struggled violently after being tied up."
Theodore glanced at the deceased's fingers but didn't linger. Instead, he was drawn to the palms.
The deceased's palms were smooth, not at all like hands that performed heavy physical labor. No cracks, no calluses. Delicate, smooth, very well-maintained.
Theodore then examined the body. Due to the high fall and breaking through glass, a large area of skin was damaged. Not many intact places remained.
After the forensic dissection, the doctor had thoughtfully performed simple post-mortem arrangement, stitching up the large wounds. This made the deceased look like a porcelain doll that had been shattered and glued back together, covered in cracks.
Through these cracks, many scars were visible. Some had faded to just dark lines. Some had just scabbed over. Some were mixed with fall injuries and contusions, making them difficult to distinguish.
The professor put down the deceased's right hand and moved to the lower body. "DCME-0086's inner thighs have numerous fresh fingernail-scratch-like abrasions and bite marks. There are multiple fresh lacerations on the vaginal and anal mucosa."
He lifted the white sheet, showing the scratches and bite marks. "In addition to the fresh injuries, there are numerous old scars on the inner thighs. Semen was detected inside the vagina and on the inner thighs."
The professor re-covered the deceased with the sheet, took the registration form, made an entry, and concluded: "DCME-0086's blood alcohol concentration was zero-point-zero-four percent. She'd consumed alcohol before death but was not intoxicated. She likely drank the bottle of red wine you brought back."
The professor started to push the deceased back into refrigeration, but Theodore stopped him.
Theodore returned to the deceased's head, asked for gloves, and carefully moved the head, observing it closely.
Due to the high fall, most of the face was mangled flesh. Only the lower right cheek remained intact.
Theodore took a tissue and rubbed the intact half of the face, then wiped the lips. Residual lipstick and an unknown white cosmetic came off, sticking to the tissue.
The deceased wore makeup, thick makeup, with residue remaining even after rinsing on the dissection table.
Her skin was somewhat loose but not rough. Just like her hands, delicate and smooth.
Theodore moved back to the lower body, lifting the white sheet to observe.
The deceased's inner thighs were a gruesome sight. That area had many scars, not only the scratches and bite marks the professor mentioned, but many strange scars as well. The scars here were similar to those on her body, both old and new.
This made Theodore look at the deceased's head again.
The condition of the private parts indicated her lifestyle might be quite different from the Annie Halleck that Agent Lombardi had mentioned.
Theodore asked if the professor could estimate when these scars had formed.
The professor pushed the body back into refrigeration and shook his head.
Theodore asked about the autopsy report timeline. The professor quietly calculated. "Noon tomorrow at the latest."
The speed reminded Theodore of an old acquaintance.
Leaving the forensic office, Theodore asked Detective Thomas for the file on the assault case from ten years ago.
While waiting for the archives to find the file, Bernie called Thomas at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The call was answered by Thomas's colleague, who told Bernie that Thomas had been sent to the hospital after a fight.
After asking for the hospital location, Bernie called Ronald's acquaintance at the Bureau of Prisons, asking him to check Robert Miller's incarceration record.
Hanging up, Bernie looked at Theodore. "We'll visit Thomas after work. The one from the Bureau of Prisons."
Theodore nodded. "What happened to him?"
Bernie was silent for a moment. "He was beaten and sent to the hospital." After a pause, he emphasized, "He was beaten into the hospital by a plumber."
Theodore looked mildly surprised. "Why would he fight with a plumber?"
He still remembered Thomas and felt he could take Thomas down with one hand.
Bernie shook his head, sighing, and patted Theodore's shoulder. "He probably saw something and was overcome by anger."
Theodore disapproved. "No matter how angry he is, he should have basic judgment before acting. He's clearly not a match for the plumber. Rushing up to fight at a time like this is asking for trouble."
After a pause, Theodore continued, "He should take photos to preserve evidence for the upcoming divorce lawsuit, so his wife doesn't get a single cent."
Bernie looked mildly surprised. "You know?"
Theodore looked at him strangely. "I'm not an idiot. Isn't it obvious his wife cheated with the plumber?"
He continued the previous topic. "Or if he really can't suppress his anger, he should first find a knife or a gun."
Bernie opened his mouth.
"Then yell that a thief has broken in and shoot the plumber."
Bernie closed his mouth. The look in his eyes toward Theodore became complex.
He wasn't entirely sure if Theodore was joking or seriously analyzing the situation.
A certain conversation resurfaced in his mind. "Aren't you too! You're just like me! Why don't you help me!"
Bernie patted Theodore's shoulder again, making Theodore feel vaguely confused.
Detective Thomas quickly brought the case file.
Theodore looked at the file, good as new, and became curious about the Third Precinct's archival preservation techniques. The file from ten years ago remained well-preserved, without any traces of contamination or damage. He couldn't even smell a hint of mildew.
The file contained Annie Halleck's description of the assault.
According to her statement, Robert Miller had followed her home. As she opened the door, he suddenly came forward, held a knife to her lower back, and abducted her into the house.
Miller took Halleck to the bedroom, bound her hands and feet with a belt, and assaulted her.
The file contained the forensic examination report. The report showed that Miller was brutal during the assault. He caused multiple scratches and bite marks on Halleck's chest, abdomen, inner thighs, and other areas.
After the assault, he also punched and kicked Halleck, leaving her bruised and swollen, before leaving satisfied.
The file recorded that Miller used highly insulting terms like "bitch" when referring to Halleck during the assault.
Throughout the assault, Miller didn't attempt to cover Halleck's eyes or his own appearance. He didn't threaten her to keep silent. He seemed to have never thought she would call the police and recognize him.
The report concluded with six invalidated confessions from other victims assaulted by Miller. These victims had chosen to report but collectively withdrew their charges when they learned they might have to testify in court.
The descriptions of Miller's assault process in the confessions weren't much different from Halleck's.
His modus operandi: following the victim home, threatening with a knife, and binding hands and feet with a belt. The assault process was brutal, accompanied by insults and beatings. He'd leave without hesitation afterward.
After reading the file, the three had different reactions.
Detective Thomas was the first to share his views. He was optimistic about the case's prospects, believing the killer was obvious.
"The killer should be Robert Miller." He found a close-up photo of the victim's wrist. "Ten years ago, when Robert Miller committed his crimes, he liked to bind the victim's hands and feet with a belt. The victim's hands and feet both have restraint marks."
He then found photos of Annie Halleck's body injuries in the case file and placed them alongside photos of the victim's injuries taken yesterday. "Ten years ago, Robert Miller left numerous scratches and bite marks on the victim. Annie Halleck had numerous scratches and bite marks on her inner thighs."
Thomas finally found an overhead photo of the victim. "Ten years ago, Robert Miller was brutal, often punching and kicking the victim. Annie Halleck was directly pushed down from upstairs."
He gave the motive: "Annie Halleck was the only victim who identified Robert Miller. If it weren't for her, Robert Miller would never have gone to prison. He was retaliating against the person who sent him to prison."
After listening to Thomas's analysis, Bernie recalled what Agent Lombardi had said.
At the time, he'd thought it made sense in the car. But now, compared to Detective Thomas in front of him, where did it make sense?
What was wrong with this Third Precinct detective?
This analysis was excellent.
Bernie secretly cursed Lombardi for talking nonsense.
Theodore also looked at Detective Thomas from a different angle. He increasingly felt that Lombardi's evaluation of the Third Precinct had been biased.
In the afternoon, an acquaintance from the Federal Bureau of Prisons orally recounted Robert Miller's incarceration record over the phone.
Miller had served his sentence at Virginia State Prison and was paroled in 1955.
His parole officer, Theodore found the name familiar, was Richard Mason.
Theodore and Bernie went to the Federal Parole Board to find Mason and inquire about Miller's address.
Richard Mason was thin but very sharp-eyed, and middle-aged.
He hadn't forgotten about Henry Thompson and immediately became wary when they appeared in his office. He'd provided a guarantee for Thompson and introduced him to a bank escort job, but Thompson had nearly robbed Riggs National Bank.
Bernie went up to get acquainted, mentioning they'd dealt with each other during the post office robbery case.
Mason became even more wary. "Yes. Because of that, I almost got fired."
Bernie looked embarrassed.
Mason shook his head. "Which inmate caused trouble again?"
He hadn't been in D.C. for so many years for nothing. He'd already inquired and knew the silent young man in front of him was named Hoover.
Mason had no desire to meddle. He just wanted to send them away quickly.
Theodore looked up and gave Mason a deep look.
This was one of the few people who had Bernie's fall.
Mason shifted his weight, tactfully urging, "A parole year or name will do. Or a case number."
Bernie still looked embarrassed. "An assault inmate from ten years ago, paroled in 1955. Named Robert Miller."
Mason searched the cabinet behind him and took out a red file. He opened it first, looked at it, then handed it to Bernie.
Robert Miller was living in the Southwest District of D.C. His apartment address was only one mile from the Riverside Hotel.
"Does he still live here now?" Bernie asked.
[End of Chapter]
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