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scalpel. There are cuts to the face, particularly to the mouth. At each corner the blade has cut deep into the cheek and upwards towards the earlobe.”
    Greco looked down at his feet. Why do that? He pictured the killer insisting she smile, and when she didn’t, or couldn’t, he’d cut one into her face.
    “The main wound on the torso is to the chest, at the site of the heart. It’s deep and long but this isn’t what killed her. The cause of death was the burning that occurred after the chest wall was cut into. It looks to me as if the cutting was to gain access.”
    “Bloody lunatic,” Quickenden said, finally putting in an appearance.
    “There is evidence of rape,” Doctor Barrington continued. “There is extensive vaginal bruising, though I can’t see any semen present.”
    “So he used a condom? Thoughtful of him,” Quickenden said, shuffling from one foot to the other. Greco had noticed it was something he did when he was anxious.
    “It would appear so. I’ll take swabs to make sure. I’ll be doing toxicology tests as well.”
    “Tortured and killed.” Greco inhaled. “He took his time with her.”
    “It looks that way,” the pathologist said.
    Doctor Barrington took a scalpel and made the customary incision lengthways down the body. Her assistant held out a bowl.
    Greco looked away.
    “Her heart is extensively damaged. Access to the heart was made by a sharp blade. It entered the chest wall between the ribs. Your killer knew what he was doing. After the incision a long, thin object that had first been heated to a high temperature, was pushed deep into the heart muscle.”
    “The poker we found?” Greco asked.
    “There is what looks like soot residue. Tests will confirm,” the pathologist said. She was holding Jessie’s heart in her hands. “The burning extends through the heart muscle and into the right ventricle.”
    “It’s an odd way to kill someone,” Greco said.
    “Who knows what goes on in these people’s heads, Inspector.”
    “About before, sir, not being here. It couldn’t be helped,” Quickenden interrupted.
    “Later, Sergeant,” Greco barked.
    “That’s about it,” Natasha said. She looked up.
    “I’ll get everything processed and on the system as soon as,” added one of the assistants. He was removing the hood of his coverall.
    “You met Mark at the house,” the pathologist said. “He and Roxy are the latest additions to the team here.”
    He nodded at the detectives.
    The forensic scientist, Doctor Roxy Atkins, came up to Greco and Quickenden. She was young and petite. Her dark hair was cut short but a long fringe covered her forehead. She wore dark red lipstick and heavy black eyeliner. This, and her pale complexion, made her look slightly gothy.
    “Like I said at the scene, her clothes were cut from her body. Also, a square of fabric has been neatly cut from her skirt. It’s about two inches, the same as the cut on her scalp. It could be that your killer is collecting trophies,” Atkins said.
    Greco said nothing for a few seconds. He was hoping this wasn’t the case, because it meant that they probably had a serial killer on their hands.
    “Thank you. Useful information,” he said.

Chapter 3
    The main office was crowded. Greco’s people were there — Grace, Jed Quickenden and DC Craig Merrick, and a couple of uniformed officers. DCI Colin Green and DI Westbury, who led the other team at the station, were also present.
    Greco stood by the incident board. He pinned up the photo of Jessie Weston and wrote some notes. “You all know why we’re here,” he began. He looked round the room. He wished they would all sit down. It would have made the room look neater. Most were holding mugs of tea or coffee. Cups littered the desks. The untidiness of the room was disturbing his concentration. He had to get a grip on himself.
    “Sir!” Quickenden approached the board. “It really wasn’t my fault that I was late for the PM.”
    “Now isn’t the time,