The Sixth Lie by Sarah Ward

Author:Sarah Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2023-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

25

‘We’ve had the results of the tests the pathologist ordered.’

Siân knocked on Harri’s door as he was scouring his online diary, trying to find a spot when he could undertake his unconscious bias training. All three sessions were programmed for the coming fortnight and he had his hands full already with the Heledd Jones case. With a feeling of relief, he closed the window, the date not yet selected.

‘Don’t keep me in suspense.’

‘Her blood alcohol level was forty-three per cent. We’re talking serious difficulties walking and speaking. Given she was seen drinking earlier in the pub, the pathologist believes it was the contributory factor towards her death of acute hypothermia. Do you want me to spell out the science behind it?’

Annoyed, Harri folded his arms. ‘How did I ever pass those inspector exams?’

‘All right. In essence, there were high concentrations of something called catecholamine. It’s a chemical present in most hypothermia deaths, as it’s secreted in cold weather. It confirms the other signs found present during the post-mortem, including swelling of the hands and feet, and purple patches visible on the skin. Heledd froze to death.’

‘What about the blood work? Any signs of a sedative administered?’

‘Nothing. Alcohol was the major contributory factor. What do you think?’

‘I think it’s all sounding a bit bloody convenient. Duncan says she only had a drink or two and witnesses stated Heledd was perfectly able to walk when she got on and off the bus. Where did the other alcohol come from?’

‘She possibly had a bottle of spirits in her pocket that she chucked when it was finished. We’re checking shopping receipts now.’

‘The route Heledd walked has been searched, though, and nothing’s been found, and it doesn’t sound like this new Heledd that had emerged over the last six months.’

‘Perhaps she’d learnt something during her chat with Duncan that sent her over the edge.’

‘He says not and, anyway, he dropped her off at the bus stop. There was no chance for her to purchase alcohol after that. What about your chat with Catrin Cross? What did she say about not mentioning her relationship to Eleri Tew?’

‘She looked guilty, so I’d say it was a deliberate omission. I pressed her pretty hard and I also got her to admit she searched Heledd’s body before calling us.’

‘What the bloody hell did she do that for?’

‘I guess to see if there was anything incriminating in relation to Eleri, although Catrin isn’t going as far as to admit that.’

‘You think it relevant to the case?’ asked Harri.

‘I’m not sure it is. The essential facts hold up. You find a dead body in your field and when the police come to interview you, your first thought is not, oh by the way, the aunt I never speak to was briefly in the house where the dead woman’s son disappeared from over a decade ago. It’s not exactly an organic conversation.’

‘Bloody hell, she was giving an official statement. Where the hell do you get organic from?’ Harri was sure it was one of those training courses.

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