“And it would be wise to ask the officers if they recognize either Jannie or Johnny as kids once enrolled in their program,” Larkin concluded before raising the still-warm papers. “I’m going to read the autopsy report for John Doe. No, don’t worry, you can sit there.” Larkin moved around the computer chair and unbuttoned his suit coat with one hand while dropping into the molded plastic chair.

“Mind if I take point on Mr. Reynold, then?” Doyle asked.

“9-1 to dial out,” Larkin answered. He crossed his legs and settled into the account.

John Doe had been found wearing a pair of Dickies black slacks, white undershirt, and white athletic socks. He wore no shoes, but the balls and heels of his socks showed no signs that he’d been walking on unclean surfaces. No jewelry, wallet, or identification was found on his person, only the aforementioned business card for St. Jude’s Mission and the photograph addressed to Larkin.

John Doe was white, between fifty and sixty years of age, five foot ten inches, and 180 pounds at the time of autopsy. It was noted that he had physical wear and tear in his lumbar region and both rotator cuffs, indicative of years of manual labor and not a high intensity sport. Varicose veins in his lower legs suggested a job in which he was on his feet for most of, if not all day. Based on how blood had settled postmortem, Dr. Baxter’s professional opinion was that the body had not been moved from one scene to another, and that John Doe had likely been killed in or near the utility room and immediately put into the bag. The cause, however, was more interesting.

Asphyxia due to ligature strangulation.

Not only did the good doctor confirm that John Doe’s hyoid bone had been broken, but due to how the body had been contorted and stuffed into the IKEA tote bag, his shoulder had partially protected the side of his neck from insect activity. Dr. Baxter had discovered a large pattern in the skin measuring two inches in height. The design had repetitive rounded shapes with points that had left small punctures in the flesh. It was a curious outline Larkin hadn’t seen before.

“John Doe was strangled,” Larkin said, not looking up. “Dr. Baxter confirms that the pattern and dimensions are unlike typical weapons, for example, scarves, rope, wire, chain, or a strip of leather.” Larkin studied the second page before adding, “His left shoulder was also dislocated postmortem. Could have been caused by forcing him into the bag…. He was found only wearing slacks, an undershirt, and socks.”

“Sounds like he was undressed,” Doyle answered as he was busily typing and clicking at the computer. “The perp yanks John Doe’s arm back to pull a shirt sleeve off and pops the shoulder.”