"The last thing I did was check out the configuration of the pelvis. Where the two halves of the pelvis meet in front is called the pubic symphysis and it wears with age. A guy named T. Wingate Todd made casts of the pelvis of a wide range of corpses whose ages were known. He found that the wear pattern on the pelvis is pretty consistent at different ages."
Forester pointed to a large Tupperware box that was sitting near the door. The lid was open and Billie could see several casts lying in foam.
"I matched the Todd casts to Doe. Taking all the other factors into account, I can give you a very subjective estimate of forty-five to fifty-five for our friend."
Forester pointed to the skeleton's nose.
"Now, I also know that we've got a Caucasian. An Asian's nasal aperture is oval, a black's is wide and short. This guy's is tall and narrow. Ergo, a Caucasian.
"You can also tell from the eye sockets. Whites' are the shape of aviator glasses, blacks' are squarer, and Asians' more rounded."
"Any way to tell eye color?" Billie asked.
Forester shook his head. "Not with a burn victim. The eyes burn out. But I can tell you the guy's height. He was between five eight and five ten. I got that from measuring his tibia and femur," Forester said, pointing to the corpse's shinbone and thighbone, "and comparing them to tables that were developed by measuring the lengths of the long bones of American casualties from the Second World War and the Korean War."
"So we've probably got a white male, five eight to five ten, of average build, and forty-five to fifty-five years of age," Billie summarized.
"Yup," Forester answered. "Get a possible and his dental records and Brubaker can give you a positive ID."
Chapter Thirteen.
After dropping Kate at her house, Daniel drove home and fell into bed. Visions of a flaming laboratory jammed with screaming monkeys and deformed children haunted his dreams and he jerked awake more than once during the night. When he arrived at work the next morning, Daniel was pale and there were dark circles under his bloodshot eyes. He checked his voice mail and found a message from Renee Gilchrist telling him that he was expected in Arthur Briggs's office at eleven. This is it, Daniel thought. He slumped in his chair and looked around his office. A lump formed in his throat. He had worked so hard to get here and everything he'd earned was going to be snatched away because of a one-page letter.
At 10:54, Daniel pushed himself to his feet, checked his tie, and walked the last mile to Arthur Briggs's office. Renee announced Daniel's presence, then flashed him a sympathetic smile.
"Go on in. And good luck."
"Thanks, Renee."
Daniel straightened his shoulders and walked into the lion's den, an incredible corner office that was obviously the creation of an expensive interior decorator. With diplomas from Duke University and the University of Chicago law school, and framed tributes to its occupant, the room was a testament to the greatness of Arthur Briggs.
"Have a seat, Ames," he said without making eye contact.
The senior partner was reading a letter and he paid no attention to Daniel for a full minute. When Briggs finally signed his name and placed the letter in his out-box, he looked across his desk at the young associate with unforgiving eyes.
"Do you have any idea how much damage your incompetence has caused?"
Daniel knew that no answer was expected and he gave none.
"The partners met yesterday to discuss your situation," Briggs continued. "It has been decided that you should no longer work for this firm."
Though he had been expecting this, the words still stunned Daniel.
"You will be paid six months' salary and you can keep your health insurance for a year. That's very generous considering that your blunder could cost one of our best clients billions of dollars."
He'd been fired. At first Daniel felt shame, then his shame turned to anger and he stiffened.
"This is a crock and you know it, Mr. Briggs." His sharp words startled Daniel as much as they amazed Briggs. "You're firing me because you need a scapegoat now that Aaron Flynn knows about the Kaidanov study. But finding out about that study might help Reed, Briggs avoid aiding and abetting a client this firm should stop representing."
Briggs leaned back is his chair and made a steeple of his fingers but said nothing. Daniel pushed on.
"I think Geller Pharmaceuticals is covering up Kaidanov's results. Did you know that the police are investigating an arson fire at a primate lab located on land owned by Geller? It's where Kaidanov conducted his study. All of his monkeys are dead. And it looks like Kaidanov is dead, too-murdered. Quite a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"
Daniel paused, but Briggs just continued to stare at him as if he were some mildly interesting insect. Briggs's lack of reaction at hearing Geller linked to murder and arson surprised Daniel. But Briggs had made a fortune by perfecting a poker face, so Daniel forged on.
"Kaidanov has been missing for over a week. His home has been searched." Daniel thought he saw Briggs twitch. "Mr. Briggs, I've examined Dr. Kaidanov's hard drive. Someone tried to delete the primate study, but I've seen it." Now he definitely had Briggs's attention. "The results support the conclusions in Kaidanov's letter. I think there's a good possibility that Insufort is very dangerous and that someone connected to Geller tried to cover up Kaidanov's report."
"How do you know that Dr. Kaidanov's home was searched?"
Daniel swallowed hard. "I went over there," he said, suddenly remembering that searching the house and taking the hard drive were felonies.
"Is that where you examined Dr. Kaidanov's hard drive?"
Daniel felt like a laser beam had pierced him and he appreciated the terror witnesses experienced during one of Briggs's infamous cross-examinations.
"I'd rather not say," he answered.
"Is that right."
Daniel did not answer.
"Taking the Fifth, are we, Ames?" A terrible smile creased Briggs's lips. Daniel felt trapped. "Obviously I can't force you to answer my questions, but the police can. What do you think will happen if they discover that someone has stolen the hard drive from Dr. Kaidanov's home computer and I tell them that you've confessed to me that you were at his house and examined the hard drive?"
"I . . . I was acting on behalf of our client."
Even as he said the words Daniel knew that the excuse sounded pathetic.
"It's good that you've remembered that there is an attorney/client relationship between you and Geller, even though you no longer work for this firm. If you know that, then you know that any information about Insufort on Dr. Kaidanov's hard drive is the property of our client."
Briggs's smile disappeared. "I want the hard drive by five o'clock today, Ames."
"Mr. Briggs . . ."
"If it's not here by five, you will lose your health benefits, your severance pay, and you will be arrested. Is that clear?"
"What are you planning to do about Insufort?"
"My plans are none of your business since you no longer work for this firm."
"But Insufort is hurting babies. Someone at Geller may have committed murder to cover up the truth. The firm could be an accessory to-"
Briggs stood suddenly. "This meeting is over," he said, pointing toward the door. "Get out!"
Daniel hesitated, then walked to the door. As he crossed the room anger built in the pit of his stomach. He opened the door halfway, then turned and faced Briggs one more time.
"I've been scared and depressed about losing this job ever since the deposition, because working for Reed, Briggs really meant something to me. But maybe this is for the best. I don't think I want to work for a firm that would cover up the crimes Geller is committing. We're talking about little children, Mr. Briggs. I don't know how you can look in the mirror."
"You listen to me," Briggs shouted. "If you breathe one word of what you've told me to anyone, you'll be sued for slander and you will go to jail. How many people are going to hire a destitute, disbarred lawyer with a felony conviction? Now get the hell out!"