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It was October, and a slew of bodies were coming in. Halloween was drawing near and the local law enforcement was dreading it. Despite the notorious night, the death toll had been higher this month.

   The medical examiner and his team had been overwhelmed with the amount of bodies needed to be addressed. While most of the bodies have come due to a pile-up on the highway, where a truck had rolled, resulting in the deaths of a few dozen people, some of the bodies have come in due to drugs, violence; the usual. The TV has been swarmed with reports of the recent accident that took the lives of many.

   Finishing up with the fifth body today, the medical examiner dropped the clipboard and file on his desk before collapsing back into his chair with an exhausted sigh. “Mr. Francis...” He called out, hearing the door open. “Can you clean up the area. That was the last file. I just need to submit my findings and I’m calling it a day.”

   “You’ve caught up?” Asked the assistant, through a smile with an energetic tone, as he wheeled in a new body trolley. “Would you like me to put this one in the fridge for later?”

   The medical examiner looked back, seeing his assistant Gavin wheel the next job. “Where did this one come from?”

   “Was transported from a …Doctor Crowe.”

   The medical examiner turned back to his computer, typing up the remains of his summary before saving the file to be sent to the investigators. “If I’m not mistaken, she’s in the other suburb. I wonder why this was sent to me… It’s not like she was inundated with examinations…” He pondered curiously, rising from his seat to greet the body.

   “Hello sir.” He uttered, looking over the trolley and body for the file as the assistant returned the previous body to the fridge.

   “Mr. Francis, where is the file?” The medical examiner inquired, unable to locate the documents coming with the body. “Was this all that was given?”

   As Gavin had opened the fridge door to return the body to the fridge, the medical examiner reviewed a tattered toe-tag hanging off the body. The condition was oddly damage - worn and stunk of formaldehyde. The date and forensic physician name was also slightly bleached and the name of the body was almost completely illegible: the only letters were “J” and “E”; separated.

   “I was told that there was a mishap with the delivery. The porter informed me that officers would be arriving soon with the rest of the case data.” Gavin informed, sliding the body over onto the draw before pushing the cadaver inside and closing the freezer.

   The medical examiner sighed, “That should have come with the body.” He looked at the clock on the wall before turning to look at the body. “And I didn’t miss any other bodies?”

   Gavin had a quick look, reviewing the files on the laptop on his desk adjacent from the fridge. After a few seconds of quickly analyzing the list of files recently updated and corresponding them to the number of bodies received, Gavin shook his head. “This is the only body.”

   It wasn’t unusual, but an undesired circumstance. “Do we have any blank files so I can begin? I might as well get a start on this body." He shouted before leaning closer to the body. "I wouldn’t want to leave you until tomorrow. That would be rude of me.”

   The medical examiner moved to the filing cabinet when Gavin noticed a document sitting on the desk by the entrance. “Oh, you were asking for the file?” He uttered, moving over to the table to collect it. “I thought you asked…” The medical examiner had thrown a look across the room, marking his slight but controlled agitation, despite being relieved that he could resume the case without going in blind. “I’ll bring it to you right away.”

   As he handed the medical examiner the file, he did so with an apologetic smile, offering with both hands. “Sorry about that.” He uttered, moving aside as the medical examiner read the document.

   The medical examiner flicked through the pages, glancing between it and the body. He observed all the incisions the previous mortician documented on the body and reviewed the findings. Flicking back, he reviewed the police report that accompanied the examiner’s observations.

“Female, aged between fifty-two and fifty-five, approximately one-hundred fifty-five centermeters…. Defaced… No discernible fingerprints or dental identification. Multiple stab wounds. Cause of death is blood loss…” He flicked back to the examiner’s notation. “Estimated five litres of blood remaining in the body. But you died of blood loss?"

   He shook his head, continuing to read the notes. “Six stab wounds. So I need to CT-scan the body to put into the computer… Gavin,” he raised his voice. “When I’m done, I’ll need you to put the body through the CT.”

   “Yes Doctor.” Gavin replied, making a note in his pocket-book before resuming his documentation.

   Placing the file down, he realized there was no name on the file. Gathering the file once again, he recalled something else more concerning. “Are we sure this is the correct file?”

   “It was the file given by the porter, I’m sure.”

The medical examiner closed the document, finding a name of the porter with his signature and date next to Gavin’s. There didn’t appear to be any tampering or foul play with the document. “We may need to recall this. Or perhaps my eyes are playing up on me. Can you come and check?”

Perplexed by his questioning, Gavin rose from behind his desk to review the information presented to him. “What’s the issue, Doctor?” He asked, collecting the file from the medical examiner and stepping towards the body.

   The doctor didn’t say anything, only observing him. Eventually a light switched on and Gavin’s expression widened with confusion. “Perhaps the doctor mismarked the file. The detailed seem to be re-written.” He observed the previous notes. “These do appear illegible…” He sighed, placing the file on the medical examiner’s desk.

   “All logical deductions, Mister Francis.” The medical examiner moved towards the body, adorning new latex gloves to begin gathering samples for evidence.

   “Sampling hadn’t been done?”

   “Not according to those notes. Better off doing a second battery, just in case.” The medical examiner sighed, gathering the tools necessary to complete the job.

He had gathered several samples of blood, grit under the fingernails, remnant metal fragments lodged in the ribs near the wound, skin and hair fibres for DNA analysis. Clothes and shoe samples were taken, including stains or residue found of the garments, additional fibres or follicles found under microscope, and grass and dirt found lodge between the treads in the shoes.

   Despite all the other documentation appearing correct, the medical examiner made sure to double check blood volume, organ size and health. An attempt to reconstruct the muscles and bones of the face to provide an identity; but to no avail. Having finished examining, the medical examiner had the samples sent off to forensics before requesting that Gavin return the body before he left on his lunch break.

The assistant had returned from his lunch break with a marked esky. This esky had a police evidence chain notification taped to it. “I’m back, Dr. Martin.”

   “What is this, Mr Francis.?” Dr. Martin asked, looking as Gavin maneuvered around the laboratory to the empty instrument table and placed the esky upon it. “This is for Case two-twelve, four zero five, six zero two.” He read off the sheet.

   The medical examiner knew which file he was talking about. “Finally. Now is this all of it?”

   “That is all that was given.” He informed, smiling politely before moving back to his desk.

   Moving to the fridge where the body was preserved, the doctor took the esky on his way. Opening the locked door, Dr. Martin pulled out the body with his available hand before placing the esky to the side of the head of the body. “Sorry to disturb you, but I figured you would be more comfortable in one piece.” He sighed, “Or as much as we can make you.” He mumbled, opening the esky to find the facial skin piece, in a sealed plastic bag on ice.

   “Why was it kept on ice, rather than formaldehyde?” Dr. Martin pondered aloud, grabbing a pair of examination gloves.

   Carefully sliding his hands into the tight glove, Dr. Martin opened the package and removed the skin. Cautiously he totated the flesh and gently placed it over the semi-reconstructed skull of the body. “They didn’t mention anything about the file, Mister Francis?”

   Gavin leaned from his computer to be in sight of the medical examiner. “I mentioned it to them. They said ‘if the case number matches, we did our job’.” Gavin shook his head, “Not exactly the friendliest bunch.”

“That is why, Mr Francis, I prefer the dead sometimes. But even the dead, request that we listen.”

   Convinced there was something amiss, the medical examiner quickly stepped away from the body and removed his gloves carefully. “What was the name of the previous examiner?”

   The assistant leaned back to pull up the current file. “Um… It was…. Doctor Catherine Crowe.”

   Dr. Martin was surprised to hear that name. “I do believe I know her.” He said, moving away from the body with a slight spring in his step. “Can you get me the number for her office?” He asked, discarding the gloves in the yellow bin before moving back to his desk.

   He looked at the time, just turning twenty-three past one. Gathering the phone, with the number already dialled for him, Dr. Martin received an answer. “Hello, this is Jean Paul, how may I help you?” The young, feminine voice greeted warmly.

   “Jean, this is doctor Gary Martin. I was a colleague of doctor Crowe. I was wondering if she was available?”

   “I’m sorry doctor Martin, but doctor Crowe is not available.”

   “Oh. Well that’s unfortunate,” He replied, nodding slightly. “When will she be back in the office?

   “...I am unsure." She spoke softly. "How close are you to doctor Crowe?"

   "Personally, or professionally?" He replied. "Is there something wrong?"

   "She seemed distressed when I last saw her.”

   The doctor leaned forth, gathering a note and pen. “Something troubling at home?”

   “Not likely.”The assistant replied, “I think it was work… Something to do with a case she was working on.” Intrigued, the doctor began to take notes of what she was telling him. “Something…. She found something and quickly filed her notes for transfer. I was ordered not to go near the case entirely.” Her voice began to quiver slightly. “And if it bothered her that much, I didn’t want to get rattled.”

   “Any more than you already are.” Gary responded, shrugging his lips slightly with empathy. “Have you spoken to her since?”

   “No… She hasn’t been here in the last three days and hasn’t called in sick for that matter, either. I am a little worried about her.”

   "Do you know the case this was pertaining to?"

   "Um…" Gary heard her fingers work the mouse and keyboard quickly. "She had a few cases… There's only one and is sent over to Hornsby, to a doctor-"

   “Gary Martin…"

   "Is that why you're calling?" Jean enquired, the panic in her voice now audible. "Are you alright?!"

   "Everything is fine, my dear." Gary assured her. "There's nothing to worry about."

   Jean sighed, her breath quivered. "If you're sure… I'm glad to hear it."

   "Thank you. I have her personal number, I will try contact her. Dont worry yourself too much, Jean.”

   "Alright, thank you…"

   As Jean politely said her good bye to Gary, the doctor retrieved his mobile from his desk draw and opened his contacts. He noted the time being twenty-four past as he dialed the number. Both her home and mobile number went unanswered. Pondering for the moment, her pressed the redial button, to speak with Jean once again.

   “Jean, this is doctor Martin again.” He could hear her breathe stopped briefly. “I couldn’t get a hold of doctor Crowe, but I was wondering if you could help me with something? If that’s alright.”

   “That’s perfectly fine… How may I assist you, doctor Martin?”

   “I am sorry to bother you with this but, the case doctor Crowe was working on. The victim, what was the gender?”

   “I cannot disclose that information to you. It’s against--”

   “I understand.” Gary interrupted, “But I am the examiner that case was referred to, and there has been a mix up with some of the evidence. That’s why I tried to speak with doctor Crowe to clarify the data given.”

   The quivering breaths were slowed as Jean tried to compose herself. “I-I believe the body was female. If I recall correctly…. But I could be wrong.”

   “Female? If I gave you more time would your memory become clearer?”

   “No.” She said firmly, driven by fear. “I don’t think it was a male.” She was clearly disturbed by the case. “Is there anything else?”

   “Not. That’s all. Thank you.” As she hung up, Gary observed the time at twenty-five past. “She seemed beyond simple distress…”

   Gary rose from his desk and returned to the body. The skin had settled onto the broken frame, appearing familiar to the examiner. At first he couldn’t place it, but soon the expression of the skin changed as he drew closer. It was then, Gary immediately identified the body.

   His surprise was very physical, stumbling back into the empty instrument table, calling the attention of Gavin, who sprung up upon witnessing the strange behaviour of the examiner. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?”

   Quickly refocusing himself. Gary covered the face of the body with a sterile cloth and pushed the tray back into the fridge before closing and locking the door. “Doctor Martin?”

   Snatching up the note he made when speaking to Crowe’s assistant, he finished filing his notes into the system. It was like he was security autopilot. His mind was so focused that he forgot to respond to Gavin’s queries.

   After a his tenth attempt to get the doctor to reapond, Gary finally replied. “Everything is fine. I just need to finish the filing of the case so it can be closed. Please ensure you leave the forensic reports alone when they return. I will deal with it.” He informed Gavin, quickly typing up the remainder of his conclusion before sending it off to the detectives.

   Despite his actions, his expression and tone came off perplexed and frightened. “If you need me to, I can review the evidence.”

   “No. I don’t want you looking into this case-” He stopped. “Rather, I don’t want to bother you with it. You have exams coming up, don’t you?”

   For a moment his face returned to normal. Gavin nodded with a faint smile in response. “Of course… I have a few exams I need to prepare for.”

   Without uttering another word, doctor Martin gathered his overcoat and hat, leaving the morgue. Despite not wanting to draw attention to his concerns, Gavin could see the distorted expression on Gary’s face. He watched as Gary hastily left without looking back.

   The following week…

The detectives assigned to the case had arrived at the morgue to review the summary of the medical notes with the forensic specialist. The Gavin had gathered the file left on Gary’s desk, pertaining to the case file 212-405-602. “This is everything that the medical and forensic analysis had presented or found in relation to the case. Hopefully this file can shed some light on all the mysteries that have been happening of late.” Gavin informed, handing the file to the detective once the chain of evidence sheet was.

   “Is there anything else that we should know?”

   Gavin shrugged, smiling apologetically. “Doctor Martin requested I not engage further with the case. So I haven’t read it.”

   “And where is doctor Martin now?”

   Again, Gavin shrugged. “I haven’t seen him in close to a week.”

   “The DNA between the two analyses do not match. But everything else is there. The choice of weapon, bood samples and fibres matching the body, despite not matching the previous findings. It’s almost as if someone had changed the body with another that matches most of the original discovery.” The forensic analyst informed.

   “What are you trying to say?”

   “We came across a similar thought. The body was marked female, but it was clearly a male.” Gavin informed, seeing the perplexed expression sweep across the two detectives.

   The two detectives reviewed the file breifly. “Is the body still here?”

   Gavin nodded, moving toward the cell and unlocking it, dragging out the draw containing the victim. “When will the body be taken away?”

   “It’s still evidence. If what you’re both saying is true, we have a secondary mystery to solve.”

   “I think this may have layers.” The assistant sighed, losing the smile momentarily as he motioned for gloves before unveiling the body, draped in a sheet.

   “Why is the body covered?”

   The assistant shook his head. “Doctor Martin did it before leaving abruptly. I haven’t touched the body.” Gavin informed, stepping closer to reveal the victim.

   Upon revealing the face, the four men were all taken back. One stepped away, his gags giving way to vomit, while the other three were petrified in disbelief. “This… Can’t be.”

   “This is a joke, right?!” The partner shouted, stumbling back into the examination table behind him.

   Gavin, who remained silent, quickly covered the face of the cadaver and returned the body into the fridge, much similar to how Gary responded. Almost simultaneously, the four men turned and left the morgue. Gavin turned off the lights and locked up everything before he left the vicinity.

None of the men were seen or heard from since.