Skimming around Murder: Lessons in Murder, Book 2 by Lane Edale

Author:Lane, Edale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Past and Prologue Press
Published: 2022-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Jenna always liked coming to the morgue in the summer, as it was the coolest room in the building, but it was not so refreshing in wintertime. “Dr. Valentine,” she greeted as she pushed into the sterile, gleaming environment. She was used to the chemical odors and was glad there were no floaters or late-stage decomposition bodies to examine today.

“Lieutenant Ferrari.” Leaving his workstation, the six-foot four coroner with short sable hair and standard black glasses crossed to meet her half-way. “I suspect you are here about Aidan La Bret, the stabbing victim from Monday morning,” he anticipated in a New England accent.

“And you would be correct,” she confirmed. Jenna appreciated everything about Dr. Valentine, but standing looking up to find his face always made her feel shorter than ever.

“I’m just printing out a report for you now,” he said as the machine hummed and clicked. “He suffered three stab wounds from a large, single-blade knife penetrating his right lateral abdominal oblique lacerating his kidney and liver. Cause of death was exsanguination due to traumatic organ damage. Hemostasis of the liver is difficult to achieve, and I can see the surgeons at Memorial did everything possible, but they couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

Two steps of his long legs had the doctor back at his desk, collecting the printed papers into a folder. “I found some other marks, bruising on the left side of his neck, probably from a restraining hand. Additional ecchymosis at the wound sites indicate the killer thrust the knife in all the way to its hilt with dramatic force. The evidence suggests a blade length of seven inches. If Mr. La Bret had been a larger man, this assault would not have reached the vital organs.”

Jenna let out a sigh. “If he had been a bigger guy, the killer would have stabbed him somewhere else. I think this perpetrator knew exactly where to stick his blade. Not sure why he didn’t go for an immediate kill; maybe he wanted him to bleed out for some sick reason. Sorry, I digress.” She took the folder and met Dr. Valentine’s eyes. “Did you find anything else?”

The coroner shrugged. “Stomach contents indicated his last meal, consumed approximately eight hours prior to TOD, consisted of pepperoni pizza, chicken wings, potato chips, and a cola beverage.”

Typical, Jenna concluded.

“His musculature was not as well formed as most males his age, suggesting he didn’t engage in sports,” Dr. Valentine evaluated.

“He was a computer science major. His friend said he liked to play video games.”

The doctor nodded. “Also, his fingerprints and DNA were collected as standard, even though we had his ID already. His clothes went to the lab for any transfer hairs, fibers, or particulates they may discover. Healthy, pink lungs suggest a non-smoker. Tox showed no signs of drug use, recent or in the past, and his liver was healthy, other than being sliced up. Do you have a line on a suspect?”

“We have a photo of his hand and a witness with a vague description.

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