100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 134: Anatomy of a Crime Scene III
Restaurant, 62 Warner Close, London
Sam stood clad in a white forensic suit, shoe covers, and gloves in front of her students and some of Criminal Investigation Department’s best people. Well, at least that’s what the media is starting to call Davies’ team with their high success rate with cases.
Levi stood at the back of the pack, observing her teach. She had a way with words, Levi thought.
"and surely, each crime is different and can throw up several different scenarios."
Sam continued, now looking at her young students’ faces. "...Examining a stab wound, for example, can sometimes reveal whether the attacker was right- or left-handed, the length of the blade, and sometimes the type of weapon used. More precise tests can narrow down the time of death. But as you all can see, there is no evident cause of death, so how did she die?" she asked.
This time Jones shut his mouth and let the ’kids’ work on the question themselves.
"Poison?" One male piped.
"Drugged?" Another answered.
"Yes, as you can see, there is no visible wound, no blood. And through toxicological screening, we can reveal what drug or poison was used. In this instance, I’ve had one of my colleagues perform an advanced toxicology test." the redhead shared.
"Who would want to give an educated guess based on the evidence present?" Sam asked, pulling her phone from her pocket. She had sent a blood sample to Guy’s, and she had Janet work on it.
Unlike previous interactive question-and-answers, no one in the crowd answered. They were pulling a blank. Sam sighed while Levi grunted, rolling his eyes at their clueless-ness. She had walked them through the scene, yet all was still lost.
Slicked blond made his way in front of the crowd and joined Sam, where she stood, and the two of them exchanged unsatisfied looks. Marco raised his brows, recognizing their familiar exchange, "They are doing the ’we know’ look’" he whispered to one of the students, who was as lost as him.
"Eejits," Levi commented dryly, handing her cup of coffee back.
"A little help?" Sam said, taking her now cold cup of coffee from his hand. She took a sip from it, scowling instantly in displeasure. There was nothing worse than cold coffee. The redhead beckoned one of the uniformed officers in the restaurant to come towards her, she whispered something, and he nodded, leaving immediately to do what she instructed.
Levi shot the group a miffed look, "She had walked you in the massive freezer in the kitchen." he stated, earning a soft nod from the group. They do remember the tour in the kitchen vaguely, but it didn’t seem anything important, causing them to frown at each other confused.
Levi’s face contorted, annoyed at the group’s vacant expressions,
"Scarlet for your mother for having ya! A group of--" Levi started, impatient and annoyed with too many amadáin in the room. Sam cut the slicked blond immediately, "What Mr. Jackson is trying to imply is, we know its poison, but what kind? How was it administered?" Sam asked, sending the Irishman a ’be patient’ look.
He simply shot her a scowl; he was not in the mood to be patient. Everyone thought about it, there were a number of poisons that could be used, but nothing stood out based only on the victim’s state.
Sam pursed her lips in disappointment, and a very frustrated Levi shouted, "ICE!" his voice making the students jump a little; Davies’ team were all used to his antics.
Jones furrowed his brows, "Everybody else had ice." he whispered.
The officer Sam instructed minutes ago returned seconds later with an ice tray inside an evidence bag. "Smell it and pass it on," She urged the group after handing it to the young woman in front. The student smelt it, frowning; she could smell something faint on it, but nothing intense.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
Silence.
The redhead sighed, watching each sniff and then passing the ice to the person next. "People, every sense in your body you should use. It’s important. The scent is essential." Sam advised.
She scanned the group yet again after each had their trial, "Guess anyone?" She asked impatiently.
"Smells like cigarettes." One whispered to the woman next to him. Sam pointed to the man, "Speak up," she told him, and he cleared his throat, "It smells like cigarettes, Dr. Gray." he said.
"YES! well, no, but close enough," Sam said, fishing her mobile phone and dialing Janet’s number then putting her on speaker so that everyone could hear. "Janet, you’re on speaker; what’s the test result," she said over the phone.
"Test result revealed: Nicotine," Janet answered, and everyone’s eyes widened, slightly intrigued.
"Thank you, Janet," Sam said, ending the call and turning to everyone.
Sam broke into an amused smile. "You should really watch CSI." She said, then gesturing to the ice. "That my friends are the smell of nicotine, in liquid form, easily purchased for electronic cigarettes. Liquid nicotine is a fatal substance; just a tablespoon of it can kill an adult." Sam explained, then she turned to look at Levi.
"Levi," she said, cocking her head towards the three restaurateurs (Mr.&Mrs. Henry and Ms. Downey) still present in the corner of the room, watching the whole spectacle unfold.
Levi took it as his cue to do his thing, and he faced the three suspects. His sharp eyes rested on the middle-aged woman that was holding her husband’s arm. "Mrs. Henry, you knew your husband was cheating on you, worst of all, with your best friend." Levi accused.
The petite woman’s hand tightened around her husband’s arm, and her eyes bounced around the room. "I did. But I didn’t kill her! She was like a sister to me." Mrs. Henry claimed sobbing, absolutely shocked and offended at the accusation she would ever kill someone she cared for.
Mr. Henry stepped forward, defending his wife. "I confessed to my wife weeks ago; we were working on it," he said, holding the hand wrapped around his arm.
"I didn’t say it was either of you. I just hated how you both hid information from the investigators, all for the sake of your pride." Levi said with a shrug, and everybody looked at the only remaining suspect, Megan. The couple took a step away from her, and she looked at all of them like they were crazy.
"Champagne was a common go-to for celebration; you all had a few glasses, evident from the kitchen counter. But most people chill Champagne and never use ice because it affects the taste. But Katherine preferred it with ice. You knew that, didn’t you, Ms. Downey? Not only that, but you also knew about the affair, the affair you imagine should have been between you and your boss." Levi accused. The woman gasped at that, "That is absolutely ridiculous!" She retorted.
"Ms. Downey, you always did fancy, Mr. Henry. Always been obsessed with him, even went to the same University as him, but your dreams were broken when he got married. So you just wanted to settle for a mistress, only, for the second time, your dream had been destroyed. Someone got there before you."
"This is all speculation," Megan claimed, eyes pleading the couple to believe her.
"Then do show us what is in your pocket, Ms. Downey. A bottle of liquid nicotine, perhaps? When you don’t smoke. No matter, we have a video recording of you purchasing it at a local store. Even paid with your card. "Sam added, surprising Levi. He reckons she hacked on security cameras yet again. She really was something.
"So you had a special batch of cubes served just for her. Smart and unorthodox." Levi complimented, earning a frown from Marco, mentally telling him not to praise a murderer. Levi shrugged; he appreciates creativity like the next man. "While the ice melted, more of the nicotine dissolved in her drink, and she didn’t suspect a thing."
"And that is how you solve a murder," Sam claimed, as Davies handcuffed and read the woman her rights.
"Watching them all think so slowly caused me actual physical pain." Levi scoffed, ready to leave. "Eejits," Sam whispered to him. Marco approached the two, leaning in, "That doesn’t explain the thing in the lounge?" he whispered, earning an amused look from Sam and a frown from Levi; it reminded the blond that he was still a little cross at the redhead. Levi gestured to the couple in the corner, Mrs. Henry sobbing on her husband’s chest. Marco’s brows raised in surprise. "Wow." the bearded man muttered under his breath.
After realizing that she can now end the course, she faced her students,
"Kids, as Pathologists, you are responsible for overseeing everything, from the removal of the corpse to ultimately returning the deceased to their family for burial. You have to ensure along the way that every aspect of the investigation is handled in the manner in which it should be and that all means at his or her disposal are utilized to find the answers behind the death of an individual." she started, earning their attention.
"It is also worth noting that a pathologist must have an acceptable and working knowledge of many areas of forensic science and medicine, and most of all respect to the victims and their bodies," she said, and the group nodded in understanding.
"You should also know how important you are to the crime scene," she said, earning smiles from not only her students but also to the forensic team. Sometimes they don’t get much love for what they do. And sometimes they forget just how important they are. They don’t receive as much recognition from people, only working behind the scenes.
"you are the bridge that leads the police in capturing the perpetrators, the bad guys.
You are the answer to the question." San said, and everyone’s attention was now on her.
"You are the voice to the people who will never speak. Make sure you speak loudly." Sam stated, ending the class.
After a few handshakes, ’good lucks,’ ’work hard,’ and all that niceties, Sam followed Levi and Marco out.
She turned to the two gentlemen, who towered over everyone literally. "Dinner?" She asked, both hungry and her throat dry. She spoke way more than she initially planned.
"Starving," Levi replied. "Marco?" Sam asked, wondering if he’ll come. Marco thought for a second longer, "Nah. I’ll have to buy some groceries." he lied through his teeth, then making his way to the main road and hailing a cab for himself while two watched him walk away.
"He just lied to our face." Sam said, dumbfounded, "I noticed." Levi replied casually. "Why?" Sam asked, curious, looking at the cab, driving away. "He has this idea we are romantically involved. "Levi said as they made their way to his car.
"This had been explained. We don’t do romance," Sam said plainly. "That’s what I said." Levi agreed as he opened the car door for her and walked towards the driver seat.
"Eejits." the two said in unison after buckling their seat belts, then laughing after.
