Chapter 72: Mr. Flores Said Yes
Theodore had no frame of reference for Bernie's grandfather's taxidermy abilities or how they ranked among Felton's practitioners.
Bernie explained that Felton was primarily an oil town; there were no organised hunting groups or professional hunters here. People treated hunting as a recreational hobby, with skills passed down through generations within families.
Taxidermy followed the same pattern.
Some individuals might possess exceptional abilities, but only family members and close friends knew about their talents. They never displayed their work publicly and certainly didn't depend on it for income.
Based solely on the knife marks around the orbital sockets and cheekbones, it was impossible to determine the killer's profession or background.
This case generated a thrilling sensation for Theodore.
At first glance, the investigation appeared to offer very few leads; however, a deeper consideration revealed numerous potential clues. Yet careful examination showed these leads were frustratingly insubstantial.
They didn't even know whether the large and small skulls were related!
The connection between the forearm bone and the larger skull remained unclear!
They couldn't determine if the rope and forearm bone had been discovered together by mere coincidence!
Most critically, he was unable to develop a psychological profile of the perpetrator.
The motive could be personal revenge, the work of a methodical serial killer, or part of some bizarre ritualistic practice.
These three possibilities pointed toward completely different investigative directions.
Theodore found himself growing increasingly excited by the challenge.
He needed additional clues, more skeletal remains, and ideally, the discovery of the primary disposal site. At a minimum, they required enough evidence to establish the victims' identities, determine the cause of death, and understand their final experiences.
However, considering the Homicide Team was preparing to handle more current cases, it was obvious they couldn't spare personnel for extensive searches.
Bernie proposed two practical alternatives.
They could install intercepting nets in the river's shallow sections to catch bone fragments being carried downstream.
They could also attempt to identify the two skulls by reviewing historical records of missing persons.
They first approached "Mr. Uncertain", Bernie's nickname for Gary, due to his excessively cautious responses, to borrow young forensic assistants for net installation.
Unexpectedly, Gary not only agreed to provide personnel but also showed considerable interest in the intercepting net project. He donned his three-piece suit, gathered his equipment case, and personally supervised the installation rather than sending subordinates.
Bernie wagered with Theodore that Mr. Uncertain wouldn't last until the following day.
Returning from the forensic laboratory, the partners proceeded to the archives to review missing person files from 1954-1955, discovering that eighty per cent of the records involved women and children.
The filing and management systems were equally chaotic.
Some record sheets included attached photographs with detailed descriptions of clothing, physical characteristics, and age, while others contained only basic information, such as name, gender, and approximate age.
Certain missing persons had been located but remained in the active files, while other cases listed only the reporting party's name without even providing an address.
Theodore even discovered several completely blank record sheets mixed among the files.
The partners spent the entire afternoon in the archives, accomplishing nothing productive, though they did help organise considerable paperwork.
Shortly after regular work hours, Gary returned from supervising the installation of the intercepting net. He dragged in a coyote carcass, and his entire demeanour had transformed, no longer appearing dull but distinctly energised.
Theodore noticed the coyote carcass seemed unusually light compared to normal remains.
Bernie immediately identified the discrepancy: "That's a taxidermied specimen!"
Gary greeted Theodore and Bernie while clutching the coyote specimen and hurried toward the forensic laboratory.
Theodore and Bernie followed with interest.
Gary methodically cut open the specimen and peeled back the fur, revealing the skeletal structure beneath.
This differed from typical fur specimens, which usually involved removing the skull, retaining only the exterior hide and stuffing, with glass eyes replacing the originals.
However, this coyote specimen retained its complete skeleton for internal support, leaving the eye sockets hollow and empty.
According to Gary's preliminary examination, the skinning knife marks on the coyote specimen showed parallel cuts running from the cheekbone to the mandible, with angles and spacing consistent with the cuts found on the human skull's orbital rim, suggesting identical techniques.
Furthermore, the residual knife marks on both specimens indicated a single-edged, thin blade with similar width measurements.
This coyote specimen appeared to have been created using techniques and tools matching those used on the two human skulls!
This represented a major investigative breakthrough.
Theodore inquired about the specimen's creation timeframe.
Gary admitted he couldn't estimate the specific period. He suggested transporting it to the university, where a colleague in the agricultural college could conduct a more detailed analysis.
He set aside the dismantled coyote specimen and focused his attention on Theodore.
Gary confessed he had specifically sought this position to work with the celebrated twin detectives.
He had thoroughly studied all of Theodore's and Bernie's previous cases and developed an intense professional interest in their investigative methods.
When the police department advertised for a forensic laboratory supervisor at the West District Branch, Gary immediately submitted his application.
With his academic credentials, he naturally secured the position without difficulty.
Before accepting the role, he had consulted with colleagues and learned that Theodore provided crucial analytical insights at critical moments, directing cases toward successful resolution.
At this moment, Gary eagerly anticipated witnessing such miraculous deductive analysis.
Theodore disappointed him by offering no psychological profile. Instead, he suggested they visit churches and correctional facilities the following day.
This seemingly random suggestion left both Bernie and Gary completely bewildered.
"Why?" Bernie asked with genuine confusion.
Theodore posed a counter-question: "Why would the killer abandon these trophies?"
Seeing their continued puzzlement, he elaborated: "Trophies serve as the killer's psychological stimulant. Examining these collections allows him to relive the excitement of murder."
"Serial killers cannot voluntarily abandon the opportunity to relive their crimes."
"Only death or imprisonment would force such abandonment."
"The killer didn't abandon these trophies; he became unable to maintain them."
"That's what allowed heavy rainfall to wash away his collection room, flushing all his preserved specimens downstream."
...
The following morning, Theodore and Bernie reported to Wenner before beginning their field investigation.
They briefed him on recent case developments and their planned approach.
Gary intercepted them as they were leaving Wenner's office.
He had changed into a brown three-piece suit, complete with hat and bow tie, and climbed into the patrol car's back seat with his equipment case.
"You're the head of the forensic laboratory," Bernie reminded him pointedly. "There's substantial work requiring your attention at the lab."
Gary positioned his case correctly and sat upright. "It's fine, they can handle routine operations."
On his first day, he evaluated the young forensic assistants and found their fundamental skills to be remarkably solid. None appeared to be merely occupying positions without making any contributions.
This compared favorably to the university students he typically instructed.
Bernie regarded him with speechless resignation while Gary returned a pleasant smile.
He explained, "Mr. Flores authorised me to accompany you on investigations, including active crime scenes."
"Who is Mr. Flores?" Theodore, who had resumed writing in his investigative notebook, suddenly inquired.
Bernie looked at him with surprise. "Daniel Flores, the Senior Police Supervisor."
"Oh."
Theodore had interacted with the Senior Police Supervisor numerous times; this marked the first occasion he'd learned the man's actual name.
Bernie appeared somewhat speechless and turned back to Gary. "Are you even qualified for fieldwork?"
Gary responded confidently, "Mr. Flores said I could."
Bernie fell silent, clearly defeated by this bureaucratic authorisation.
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