A Child's Book of True Crime by Chloe Hooper

Author:Chloe Hooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scribner

• MURDER AT BLACK SWAN POINT •

All the old concerns flooded back.

Terence Tiger paced up and down, lecturing. It was important the younger animals understood that humans have essentially four main blood groups. “Type A, B, O, and AB,” he explained slowly. “Then, to further individualize blood stains, polymorphic enzymes are analyzed. These provide pathologists with subgroups known as the PGM or phosphoglucomutase types.” The tiger paused, wondering if the smaller-brained marsupials could keep up. “It was determined that Ellie Siddell’s ABO blood type was A PGM 1, and Graeme’s was A PGM 2-1. There was no sample of Margot’s blood, but according to hospital records from when Margot was delivering her three daughters, it was ascertained that she had type O blood.”

The tiger glanced down, checking that he held the little beasts’ attention. Kitty Koala, on a nearby branch, nodded and he continued. Using a twig, Terence drew a rough sketch of the Siddells’ floor plan in the dirt. He traced a stick figure lying by her stick bed, and all the old concerns flooded back: was this fascination with true crime not slightly crass? A way of fetishizing death? Of making it as kitsch as possible? All too often, Terence worried, this supposed analysis of the criminal mind had no methodology: we’re just ghoulish Victorians “studying” a hanged man’s death mask. He drew a stick refrigerator—it was amazing how such a ubiquitous white good could look so sinister. Often murderers used their fridges and, yes, also their washing machines for such grisly purposes . . . the tiger cleared his throat.

“According to the forensic evidence gathered by the police,” he continued, “the only place Eleanor Siddell bled was in her house. Predictably, type A PGM 1 blood was found all over her bed-clothes and mattress. Her undergarments were soaked in her blood, as were a large section of the carpet and the items lying on this carpet, including her nurse’s uniform.

“There was also a series of bloody handprints on the north wall of the hallway, as if the killer had leaned in, trying to steady him- or herself. The killer proceeded to the bathroom, washed his or her hands, then flicked them dry against the white bathtub, hence these pinkish streaks.” Terence looked once again at Kitty. “Now, pathologists found type A blood on the girl’s nightgown and the knife discovered near her body. However,” Terence paused, “the PGM subgrouping on these items could not be determined.”

All the little animals squirmed, not realizing this information’s significance.

“What are you suggesting?” Kitty Koala asked knowingly.

The tiger stared at the crudely drawn map. He tapped the twig against his hind leg, stifling a howl. “Technically, it’s possible that Graeme Harvey’s blood was also on the dead girl’s nightshirt, and the knife found beside her body . . .”

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