Agent of Chaos (The X-Files: Origins #1)(27)

Evidence collected at the scene includes the following:

1.?1 pair of size 8 footed pajamas, white with gray elephant pattern and 1 pair size 6 boys underwear

2.?3 bags of dead rose petals

3.?1 black iridescent stone identified as the mineral nuummite, roughly the size of a golf ball

4.?1 dead magpie

5.?8 hand-carved arrows



INVESTIGATOR: Edward Kurz DATE: March 31, 1979





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WHITE - File YELLOW - Toxicology PINK - Investigations



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Anatomical Summary:

I.???Stains on the inner forearms, with visible brushstroke pattern

II.??Ligature marks on both wrists

III.?High levels of alkaloids in the liver

IV.?Distended bladder consistent with toxicity



Estimated time of death is between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on March 30, 1979. Upon initial examination at the scene, the body was stiff, indicating rigor mortis. No visible cuts, bruising, or other evidence of injury, but faint ligature marks were observed on both wrists.

Preliminary Toxicology Findings:

Victim absorbed a lethal dose of the alkaloids aconite and aconitine, through the dermis. Aconite and aconitine are naturally occurring toxins in the plant Aconitum napellus (monkshood), native to North America. Stains and stain pattern on the victim’s forearms indicate a paste made from monkshood leaves was painted directly onto the victim’s skin. The sedative Rivotril was also present in samples.

Forensic Notes:

Bird Carcass:

A bird carcass was found with the victim’s body. Species was identified as a male Holarctic magpie, weighing 1 lb., 2 oz., with black-and-white feathers. The bird carcass was pierced with eight arrows, approximately .25 inches in diameter, arranged in a radial pattern.



The arrows were carved from human bones, belonging to adults.

OPINION:

Billy Barlow Christian, an 8-year-old white male, died of cardiac arrest, caused by ACUTE ACONITE POISONING.





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CHAPTER 13

Dupont Circle

April 2, 12:21 A.M.



“What happened in there, Fox? You’re scaring me,” Phoebe said from behind the wheel of the Gremlin.

Mulder had managed to signal her from the hallway before he raced out of the precinct. After what he’d seen, there was no way he could’ve held up his end of the performance for Officer Racca.

Phoebe slammed her palm against the steering wheel. “Talk to me. Why are you so freaked out?” She looked around at the unfamiliar streets. “And where am I taking us?”

“I’m not sure. Just drive.” His voice sounded shaky. “I opened a door thinking it was the restroom, and the evidence was tacked on the wall. Crime scene photos of Billy, with the dead bird on his chest. A label said it was a magpie.”

Phoebe followed Dupont Circle and exited on Massachusetts Avenue. “I’m sorry you had to see those pictures.”

“The close-ups were the worst. In the cemetery, I didn’t have that much time to look at him.” Mulder rubbed his eyes, wishing he could unsee some of the pictures. “There was other stuff, too. Notes, photos of Billy’s living room, and an autopsy report. He was poisoned.”

“Is that what has you so spooked?” Phoebe watched him in her peripheral vision. She knew Mulder too well for him to hide anything from her, and he didn’t want to anyway. But he was having a hard time saying it out loud. The idea that he was investigating a serial killer was one thing. Knowing how sick that person actually was took the situation to another level.

“The arrows sticking out of the bird weren’t made of wood.” He hesitated.

“Okay? Are you going to tell me what they were made of?”

He gestured at the curb. “Pull over.”

Phoebe found an empty space and parked. “Is this really necessary? I’m cool under pressure.”

“Bones,” he blurted out.

“What?”

“The arrows were made of human bones.”

Phoebe stared at him, wide-eyed. “They weren’t Billy’s—?” She clapped her hand over her mouth.

Mulder took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “No. They were adult bones.”

“Only a psychopath would do that kind of thing.”

Mulder heard the fear in her voice. “Now you’re an expert on psychopaths?” he teased.

“I read your murder books. Remember?” Her shoulders relaxed a little. “Where do you think the killer is getting the bones?”

“The morgue, if I had to guess? Otherwise somebody would notice.” Mulder’s head buzzed, almost as if he could feel the synapses in his brain firing as the thoughts formed. He shot up in his seat. “Start driving. We need to get to Gimble’s house.”

“First it was pull over. Now it’s drive. Are you aware that you have a problem making up your mind?” But she hit the gas and guided the car back onto Massachusetts Avenue. “Fox? That was a joke. What’s going on in your head? Think out loud.”

It’s just a gut feeling.…

“What if the Major isn’t as crazy as everyone thinks?”