Girls Of The Dark Read Free

Kerrs’ bodies that made those present particularly subdued.
                  ‘There is significant scarring to the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, as you can see. This was caused by the corrosive nature of the chemicals consumed.’ Dr Culdrew paced up and down beside the metal table upon which Janet Kerr’s body was laid out. ‘Mrs Kerr didn’t manage to consume as much bleach as her son, so death was more prolonged. There is bruising evident to the arms and shoulders, where she writhed about on the floor before falling unconscious. From the scene photographs, I surmise that Mrs Kerr struck the coffee table several times as she thrashed about.’
                  ‘Is it possible that a third party caused the bruising?’ Dani pressed the mask close to her mouth.
                  ‘Anything is possible, as you know. In this case I’d say not. The bruises are consistent with the blunt corners of the solid wood table. There are no scratch or punch marks, which we would expect with a physical attack. As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and bruising more apparent. Mrs Kerr is simply a person who bruised easily.’ Culdrew pulled off his plastic gloves and led the officers out into the corridor. ‘My post-mortem in both cases supports a finding of suicide. I’ll pass the report onto the Fiscal’s office. It will be up to them to reach a final judgement.’
                  ‘Thank you, doctor.’ Dani shook the man’s hand.
                  Andy lingered for a moment. He’d worked with Culdrew before and knew he could be persuaded to speculate beyond the brief. ‘Have you ever come across a case like this before, Rob?’
                  Dr Culdrew began to walk with them towards the wash-rooms. He sighed. ‘Sadly, yes. It was many years ago now. A young girl accidentally swallowed household bleach. Her father had stored it in a lemonade bottle in the garage of their house. It was one of those terrible, tragic misfortunes.’
                  ‘Were the wounds in that circumstance consistent with what happened here?’ Andy held the door open for his colleague.
                  ‘Yes, largely similar. The girl had not intended to kill herself of course. Her stomach was pumped at the hospital she was rushed to. Sadly, too much damage had been done to her internal organs to save the poor thing. Her heart gave out under the strain.’ Culdrew went quiet as he scrubbed his hands under the tap.
                  Andy felt bad about bringing the memory back. However, they had a job to do. ‘And was there bruising in the case of this girl – did she writhe about?’
                  Culdrew knitted his brow. ‘Not that I recall. I’d have to dig out the notes again. Off the top of my head I’d say no.’
                  ‘Did the tox screens show anything of interest with the Kerrs?’ Dani interjected, unsure of where Andy’s questions were designed to lead the pathologist.
                  ‘There were moderate levels of alcohol in both systems and traces of barbiturates in Ray Kerr’s blood sample. I’d put it down to as little as a sleeping tablet consumed the previous evening.’
                  ‘Can traces of a sleeping pill remain in someone’s system for that long?’
                  ‘Oh yes, up to forty eight hours.’ Culdrew wiped the water off the length of his arms with paper towels. ‘If that’s all detectives, I really need to write up my notes?’
                  ‘Certainly, we’ll leave you to it. Thanks again for your help.’
     
    *
     
    ‘What’s with all this interest in the bruising?’ Dani glanced across at her partner, as he drove them back to Pitt Street.
                  ‘I just think it’s odd. Why would one person thresh about so wildly and another simply conk out on the sofa, in