Promises in the Dark by D K Hood

Author:D K Hood [Hood, D K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty-Two

A prickle of discomfort slid down Jenna’s back as the body of Mrs. Wood slid into the metallic drawer. The woman had suffered and then died a horrendous death. How could they catch this killer, when he moved around like a ghost? She gathered her professional mask around her and looked at her team. The autopsy on Sophie Wood would be traumatic and she wanted to be through as soon as possible. “Okay, we can discuss the killer’s list of crimes later when we have more time.”

“Next we have the body of Sophie Wood.” Wolfe removed the sheet.

The familiar Y-shaped autopsy stitched wound was evident and Jenna shot Wolfe a look. “You’ve already completed the autopsy? Why didn’t you tell me? We should have been here.”

“I’m sorry, Jenna. I made the call.” Wolfe indicated to Webber. “I didn’t have time to haul you out but Webber lives close by and acted as the law enforcement witness. I dropped by to run some tests last night and the body was deteriorating rapidly so I completed a full autopsy, diagnostic tests, X-rays, and ran a tox screen.”

Something inside Jenna was glad she didn’t have to watch the dissection of the young woman. “I trust your judgment. What did you discover?”

“As you were here for the preliminary, you know some of the findings. My conclusions are, Sophie Wood was restrained since going missing, she hadn’t eaten. I believe she cut herself free using a sharp rock or something similar and escaped. She has incisions to the palm of the right hand consistent with holding a sharp object. The bruising on her face is consistent to a punch or slap and it happened at least twenty-four hours prior to her death. There is evidence of prolonged rape. I found no trace evidence from her attacker anywhere on her body.” He looked at Jenna. “She struck her head during the fall. I can prove this by the microscopic fragments of rock in the headwound. This would have rendered her unconscious and as I found lake water in her lungs, she drowned. I can’t determine if she fell or someone pushed her over the falls. So, my ruling for cause of death is open. The time of death is estimated about two hours prior to the discovery of her body.” He covered the body and slid it inside the drawers.

“No semen?” Carter pushed a hand through his hair.

“Not a trace.” Wolfe looked at him.

“Then he must have left a pile of condoms somewhere.” Carter’s eyes flashed. “Rapists aren’t that careful.”

“If he had her tied up, he could have taken his time.” Kane’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Wolfe. “Same as Mrs. Wood. Did you find anything on the bedsheets?”

“I found no trace of foreign DNA.” Wolfe met his gaze. “Did anyone check the garbage at the Woods’ house?”

Jenna shook her head. “Not that I’m aware.” She looked at Carter. “Did you check the bedrooms?”

“Yeah, and I checked the trash in every room but I didn’t see a condom.

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