Wednesday? I set my alarm for Friday. Come back on Friday
It is Wednesday Story Day again and last time (we skipped the last week for the Fourth of July) Andrew the M.E. and Larry the detective decided to head over to the M.E.’s office to check on the report Andrew says he wrote up on Sandusky’s death. Apparently, when Larry looked at the report there was no mention of the fact that Andrew noted heart residue in the body indicating that the heart had been pulverized. (Whew. Are we all caught up now?) I see Andrew and Larry have arrived at the M.E.’s office. Let’s go over there and see what is up.
“Hey, Larry and my goodness look who the cat dragged in.”
“Good morning Perry. I wonder if Andrew and I can get a moment?”
“For you anything, Larry. Andrew, how is retirement treating you?”
“Pretty good Perry. However, as you can see sometimes the past drags you kicking and screaming out of bed.”
“Yeah, it’s quite a surprise seeing you here. What gives?”
“Larry here is working on the Sandusky case and he was telling me about the report. It seems like there are some pieces missing.”
“Missing? How can that be?”
“That’s what I said. I remember making some notations on the cause of death that Larry says are not in the report he read.”
“What? Maybe a page was missing or something?”
“That’s why we’re here. I thought we could look at the original file and check for ourselves. Larry is working the Sandusky cold case and it is pretty important.”
“By all means. I think we have all the information backed up. Let’s start with the hard copy and then go to the soft.”
“Perfect.”
“Good thing I keep duplicate files. That is one thing you taught me that stuck.”
“Come on, Perry. You are one of the best M.E’s in the country. My best student.”
“Nice of you to say, Andrew. Yes, here is the file.”
“Let me look. I can turn to the exact place where I made the notation.”
“What notation was that, Andrew?”
“I believe Sandusky’s heart was pulverized by a current. That is what I noted.”
“Pulverized? You mean infarcted where the supply of blood is cut off?”
“No that would still leave the heart tissue intact. I’m talking about extracorporeal shock waves that actually break up the tissue into millions of tiny pieces.”
“Wow. I’ve only heard of that being done on gallstones.”
“Well up to this case I was in the same boat. There can be no other explanation. Here is the place where the notation should be. And it is missing.”
“Let me see that.”
“Sure, Larry. Take a look.”
“Holding this page up to the light, I don’t see where it has been altered.”
“I have to agree. This doesn’t sound like good news on the soft copy since this is a print out from that file.”
“I agree, Perry. Let’s have a look anyway.”
“Hold on, Andrew. I’ll have it up in a second. That’s odd.”
“It’s missing right?”
“How’d you know Larry.”
“How’d I know? Just my detective intuition at work. The hard copy has some missing information. It makes sense then that the soft copy is gone. How else to make the case tougher to solve than to eliminate the damn file from the computer?”
“Perry.”
“Yes, Andrew.”
“Can you get a forensic team to recover the file if it has been deleted.”
“I believe it is worth a try.”
“Good thinking, Andrew. Maybe we are not out of luck after all.”
“It’s a long shot, Larry but one worth taking.”
“Andrew?”
“Yes, Larry.”
“You want to come work for me on the Sandusky case?”
“You payin’?”
“You bet.”
“I’m in.”
Fiction Favorites 
The troops are gathering to find some answers.
Have a Great Week John.
Hugs
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Thank you , David. I hope all is well with you. Hugs
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And a partnership has been made. How much research did you have to do for the medical terms and concept here?
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I started trying to figure out how to logically present a situation where a guy’s heart was missing. I wanted that hook early on. I actually started reading before I began the serial. After that it was a matter of checking on details and creating a senario of plausible circumstances. It is quite interesting on all the treatment possibilities for Gall stones (I know, TMI) Also the concept of infarction required an understanding of what goes on there. That research was done just to use the word once and then dismiss that as a procedure.
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Very cool. Not sure if the gallstones thing is TMI. Many people learn about those at some point. Best to know and not need than learn the hard way. I actually had to look up infarction since I thought it was supposed to infraction. So mean for those words to be so similar.
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Yes it is. One more reason I’m glad I did the research.:-D
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Nice technical detail, John.
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the detailed research. I’m almost paranoid about being pulled up on a technicality that I haven’t fully understood or used in the wrong context.
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Me too, Keith. Nothing makes my blood run cold as the thought of a basic mistake that is called out by a reader. I am driven to do the research so that at least if there is a question on the technicality it will boil down to a personal preference and not a fact of omission. Thank for knowing that I know nothing about medical stuff and that what I present is a result of research. 😀
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Yay, we’re getting glimpses, I like that. Seems a great team has formed and surely answers will follow. Have a great week, John.
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Thank you, Gwen. Have a great week yourself. (You going somewhere?)
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I might have to start calling you, Dr. Howell. Nice one, John!
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Thank you, Jill. I’m not a doctor but play one on TV. 😀
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I knew you were going to say that! 🙂
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😀
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It seems they’re getting their forces together. I hope they find evidence. A good installment, John. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I think something will turn up. Remember Gloria’s advice. “Look for the motive.” Thank you , Suzanne.
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I like where this is heading (technically) but I’m not sure I ready for what’s coming. All of my data mysteries involve old insurance records…blah. Your involve pulverized internal organs – no fair.
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Ha ha ha. Old insurance vs. pulverized organs. Which will tell the tale. Tune in next week, same time same station. Thanks for the laugh, Dan. 😀
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Don’t touch that dial! I’ll be here.
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Here hold this end of the pulverizer wire.
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Is that Dr. Tiny?
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In person.
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Nice to see your gift hasn’t diminished, John.
Well done.
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Yeah it is staying right up there as all else is in decline. Thanks, Hook.
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And now I’m wondering the big “Why” would someone go to so much trouble to destroy this integral piece of the puzzle of evidence. Great build-up!
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As Gloria said earlier, “Look for the motive.” Thanks, Jan
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Looking forward to next week.
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What’s going to happen? Oh wait! I’m doing this. Thanks, Craig.
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I love this, John. Now Andrew can team up with Larry. The details on the heart were fascinating. Excellent episode.
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Thank you, Jennie. More to come.
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You are welcome, John. I’m hooked! 🙂
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Thank heavens, Jennie. I would hate to have you get away.
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😀
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Someone is definitely trying to cover their tracks! I’m looking forward to seeing this very intriguing mystery unfold. I’m hooked!
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Thank you, Mae. Good to know. 😀
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More and more mysterious.
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I prefer to say “mysteriouser and mysteriouser. (may not be a word.) Thanks, Terry
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Extra-shock waves…that’s a cool idea 💡
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Yes it is. Especially if you have gall stones.
😀
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U r mean lol in ur stories 😂
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Nice they are joining forces to figure it out 🙂
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Yes it is. I needed the doc’s help.
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John,
So there are three trains heading down the tracks that someone is trying to cover up. Hopefully all three trains are really on the same page. Because I know you . . and as such, I know that it is all about trust with verification.
The technical detail is out of sight without being dry, in the least. It’s fascinating how you got me with the missing heart and now you have moved Wednesdays into must read events. I love that, lots.
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I love the old bear trap. I’m glad you are hooked. Hopefully the high will be worth it.
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Can’t wait! Yes I can, because this is too much fun.
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Yes you can.
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Interesting segment, John. They have a dilemma on their hands, don’t they? Perhaps partnering up can help them solve the case (and it’s a way better technique than pages upon pages of internalization, in my opinion).
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I agree on the mega pages of internalization.
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I hope he offers lunch ,too
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I’m sure he does. 😀
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John, I know your inner researcher was having a grand time with this story. I know you’ve mentioned it before, but I really like the detail about the electric/pulverization/heart thing. Why it’s pos-i-lutely… John-punk! 😀 (If there can be Tesla-punk, then there can be John-punk.)
But I get a lingering whiff of something since Perry came onto the stage… Could it be *ode de rat*?
Loved this episode. Great big hug!
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Might be ode to rat. Would make a great song. “You are my rat face my only rat face. You make the sunshine go away. I never knew dear how much I lothed you. Please don’t take my stilton away.
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Ha! Thanks for the serenade, John. I’m home with a bad headache, so I needed that. As soon as you said “rat face” I thought of a David Eddings character called Silk, usually described as rat-faced. It was a fun character. http://davideddings.wikia.com/wiki/Silk
Hugs.
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That Fandom article was interesting, Teagan. I can see how Silk got the name Rat Face. Hugs. Hope your headache gets better.
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