The next morning, Trapper, Quincy, Astin, Sam, and Erin were in the San Francisco Memorial's Chief of Surgery office.

The Chief Surgeon pondered, "I wonder how long Frank Burns has been in San Francisco?"

Quincy followed up with, "I wonder how he became a deputy medical examiner?"

Almost on cue, BJ Hunnicutt entered the office announcing, "I think I have answers to both of your questions. After Erin told me of her adventure with Quincy, I called an old friend of mine who is Chief of Administrative Services at General Pershing Veterans' Hospital in River Bend, Missouri. Trapper, remember Corporal Max Klinger?"

Trapper asked, "Klinger! How did that old Camel Trader become chief administrator at a VA hospital?"

BJ explained, "Colonel Potter, who was CO of the 4077th while I was there, appointed Klinger his secretary at General General after the war and he's been with the VA ever since. Max told me that, as you may be aware, Burns was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during the war and stationed at VA hospital in Indiana."

McIntyre nodded and said in agreement, "I remember hearing about when I was finishing up my time in the Army at Fort Devens, near Boston. That was before my wife found out about my escapades in Korea and I found myself in San Francisco, but go on BJ."

Hunnicutt continued, "Well, Klinger made a few phone calls and found Burns he was more patient than administrator, being treated in the psych wing. Frank did so much time in the mental health wing he quite suspiciously passed is Psychiatry boards. Then Burns did a tour commanding the Army Hospital in Berlin, nearly starting World War III and getting promoted to full colonel. After that he did a tour with NASA of all things, followed by Letterman Army Hospital here in San Francisco at the Presidio. Political favors led him being appointed as a deputy coroner, even though he doesn't appear to have any formal training in forensic method."

Astin explained, "Most places, including San Francisco, are making changes to ensure only professional medical examiners determine cause of death."

"Change isn't coming fast enough." Quincy griped.

Astin concurred, "Dr. Quincy has done a lot in bringing that change around."

Erin noted, "I would not want to stand in Dr. Quincy's way."

Sam chuckled, "Many have tried, but few have succeded."

Soon Lt. Monahan and two other gentleman entered the office, which was becoming somewhat crowded. Monhahan introduced the older man as Lt. Mike Stone, a San Francisco Police Inspector who had known his Los Angeles counterpart for years, and the younger man as Inspector Dan Robbins. Dan and Erin shot approving glances at each other, which concerned BJ.

Stone announced, "We got the tox screen from the accident with the LA hearse. The driver had been high on heroin."

Quincy demanded, "Let me see that!" Before asking permission, the LA Medical Examiner grabbed the toxicology report. Quincy then declared, "Marie couldn't possibly driving with this amount of heroin in her system! Besides, the seat belt bruises indicate she was in the passenger seat at the time of the collision!"

Robbins informed the group, "Because of the fact so much heroin was involved, we have orderd Ms. Dubois body to remain in the medical examiner's office until further examination."

Looking at Quincy's dumbfounded look, Monahan quipped, "See, sometimes detectives can actually do their job."

Stone went on, "We will need a second autopsy," Seeing Quincy start to say something, Stone continued, "Dr. Quincy is obviously out. Dr. Astin, would you do the honors?"

Seeing how his colleague was fuming, Astin asked, "Can Dr. Quincy assist?" Stone looked at Monahan, who nodded, then Stone nodded. Astin then told Quincy's Assistant, "Sam, we can also use your help."

Erin Hunnicutt quiried, "Can I observe?"

Astin surpised everyone by saying, "Sure, you are a big part of this."

Burns was fuming when Astin, Quincy, Erin and Sam showed up. Frank taunted, "Well here comes the Hollywood crew! Go back to tinsel town!"

Quincy growled, "Quiet you! Burns, you are the living example of the Peter Principle- 'people are promoted to their level of incompetence.' But your level of incompetence is shockingly low."

Rebuked, Frank ran off to his office. Madge laughed, then got serious when she led the group from Los Angeles and Erin Hunnicutt to Marie Dubois. Quincy could tell that Burn's administrative assistant's interest in finding justice for the young au pair was greater than any job loyalty, which earned Madge a great deal of respect from the LA Doctor.

Closely examining the body, Astin asked Quincy, "Doctor what do you see?"

Quincy saw right away what Astin was getting at, "It's what we don't see."

Seeing Erin's puzzled look Sam explained to the young doctor, "Perfect hair, skin, teeth, no obvious injection marks."

Quincy proclaimed, "Marie Dubois is no more of a Heroin user than I am."

Stone, Robbins, and Monahan were coming to a similar conclusion as Quincy. They were at the home of Professor James Harrison, Marie's employer. While Monahan and Stone chatted with Professor Harrison, Robbins checked the au pair's quarters and nursery under the close watch of the Professor's wife.

Stone asked Harrison, "Have you noticed anything unusual about Ms. Dubois?"

The Professor replied, "No I haven't. By the way, one of my former colleagues was a San Francisco Police Inspector before pursuing a career in Academia. Assistant Professor Steve Keller, do you know him?"

The Lieutenant smiled and said, "Yes, Steve and I were partners for a few years. So Marie hasn't been keeping odd hours or or acting strange at all?

Harrison replied, "No, and I wouldn't trust her with my daughter if she were. There was one thing I remember though, she seemed to spend a lot of time talking to this young man who played music for money at the park that she and my daughter go to a lot. His name I believe was Johnny Squares, I really didn't appreciate Miss Dubois bringing my daughter so close to that sort."

Monahan said, "We'll look into the brusker, Squares, but I doubt that's his real name."

After the three exited the home Robbins reported, "I didn't see any signs of heroin use here, and the wife didn't report any signs either."

Stone asked, "You didn't tell her about the heroin did you?!"

The junior inspector replied, "Of course not. I asked the general questions."

Monahan then observed, "Now we need to track down Johnny Squares."

The three police officers were greeted by the desk sergeant as soon as they returned to headquarters. Reading the paper handed to him, Stone put out an order to pick up one Johnny Squares.

The San Francisco PD Lieutenant explained to Monahan and Robbins, "The guys in impound found a syringe in the Porsche. Along with Marie's fingerprints on it, they found the prints of a one Johnny Squares."