First we’d viewed two-dimensional images produced, according to Mrs. Tong, by MPR, or multiplanar reconstruction. Slice by slice, we’d moved from the window-seat baby’s head to its toes, interpreting pictures that resembled abstracts by Miró.

We’d noted that the skull was deformed due to collapse of both parietal bones. We’d seen that the auditory canals were well defined, that the tiny ossicles—the maleus, incus, and stapes—were present in the middle ear. Leclerc had pointed out the cochlea and vestibule of the inner ear, the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve canal, the pyramidal process, and other anatomical features.

I’d measured the pars squama and the pars basilaris of the occipital bone and the lengths of the femoral and tibial shafts.

We’d all agreed. The fetus was full-term.

“Switch to three-dimensional?” Mrs. Tong asked.

“Yes,” Leclerc said.

“These images will be produced using the volume-rendering technique and maximum-intensity mode,” Mrs. Tong said.

No abstracts now. The baby appeared in detailed shades of gray and white, angled down, tiny limbs V’ed inward like two sets of wings.

Leclerc used a finger to point out the obvious. “Remnants of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata, spinal cord.” His finger moved from the skull to the thorax. “Esophagus, trachea, lungs. This is the heart, though I can’t make out the separate cardiac chambers.” He indicated the abdomen. “There’s the stomach, the liver. The rest of the organs are unrecognizable.”

“Is that a penis?” Pomier’s voice sounded husky.

“It is.”

“I see no skeletal malformations or trauma,” I said.

Leclerc and LaManche agreed, then exchanged comments about a few anatomical landmarks.

I didn’t really hear. My attention had shifted to an area of radio opacity in the trachea, partly obscured by superimposition of the tiny jaw.

“What the flip is that?”

LAMANCHE NODDED AS THOUGH I’D ANSWERED A QUESTION, not asked one. Obviously, he saw it, too.

“I noticed that earlier, thought the cloudiness was an artifact,” Leclerc said. “Now I’m not so sure.”

“Is there any way to visualize the area more clearly?” I asked.

Mrs. Tong went back to 2-D, and we viewed the infant’s neck in slices. It didn’t help much. The radio opacity appeared centered in the trachea or esophagus. Beyond that, we could make out little detail.

“Perhaps dust or sediment filtered in through the mouth following decomposition,” LaManche suggested.

“Perhaps.” I didn’t believe it. The white glow was intense, suggesting solidity.

For a full minute we all stared at the monitor. Then I made a decision. “May I borrow a scalpel and forceps?”

“Of course.” Leclerc hurried off, reappeared in moments, and handed the instruments to me.

As the others watched, I returned to the scanner and unpocketed and snapped on gloves.

Forgive me, little one.

While steadying the baby with my left hand, I drew the scalpel blade across the shriveled little throat with my right.

The papery tissue split with a soft pop. Laying the scalpel aside, I picked up and inserted the forceps. Three quarters of an inch down, they met an obstruction.