The Steam Pig

The Steam Pig Read Free Page B

Book: The Steam Pig Read Free
Author: James McClure
Tags: Ebook
Ads: Link
was an armpit. A small, hairy armpit. The girl had not used a razor, unusual but without significance.
    â€œNow look again,” Dr Strydom urged, parting the tufts with a retractor.
    â€œFlea bite?”
    â€œAll quite simple if you have the stomach for it,” Dr Strydom explained. “You take your spoke, nicely sharpened up on a brick, and slide it in here between the third and fourth rib. Your target’s the aorta where it ascends from the heart.”
    â€œYirra, you call that simple,” Prinsloo scoffed.
    â€œOh, but it is. You just aim for the high point on the opposite shoulder. The artery is pretty tough so you know when you’ve hit it. An expert can do it first time, a novice may take a few shots—like trying to spear spaghetti round on a plate.”
    Prinsloo backed off a pace. Big and paunchy, he looked a man who enjoyed his food.
    â€œAnd then?” Kramer was engrossed.
    â€œMan, the pressure in that aorta’s fantastic,” Dr Strydom continued. “I’ve seen blood hit the ceiling with an aneurism that burst during an op. But as you withdraw a thin thing like a bike spoke, it seals off, see? All those layers, muscles, lungs, tissue, close up. You just wrap a hankie or rag round the spoke in the armpit and that takes care of any on the way out.”
    Kramer straightened up, patted his pockets for cigarettes and took one the district surgeon proffered.
    â€œNot bad, not bad at all, Doctor.”
    Dr Strydom attempted modesty: “Of course I tracked it down from all the blood loose in the cavities. One can’t really blame Matthews, I suppose.”
    â€œWho’s that?”
    â€œHer doctor, a GP out Morninghill way. The visible signs were identical to certain types of cardiac arrest. She had a history, I’m told.”
    That was a slip. In Kramer’s experience death certificates never mentioned case histories. This meant that the DS must have already been in touch with Matthews. Pity, now he would have all his excuses off pat, but that was the medical brotherhood for you—more closely-knit than the Mafia and often as deadly. Still, he would let that pass, too. He had one or two questions to go.
    â€œHow long would it have taken her to die?”
    â€œTen minutes, fifteen at the outside; although if the shock itself was great enough I’d say almost immediately”
    â€œUhuh. Scream?”
    â€œShe could’ve but it’d only take a pillow to muffle it. There’s no facial bruising. Anyhow, with her brain starved of blood she’d be out pretty quickly.”
    â€œWhat about this bruising on her arm?”
    â€œCan’t be positive. Easily come by when you’ve been thrashing round in a convulsion.”
    This association of violent action with the violently inactive Miss Le Roux had the subtle obscenity of a warm lavatory seat. Kramer decided he had had enough.
    â€œShe’s all yours, Sergeant. When you’ve finished the ones for your private album, I’d like a set of six head-and-shoulders not looking too glum.”
    Dr Strydom accompanied him from the room.
    â€œWhere’s Abbott?” Kramer demanded in the passage.
    â€œHere, officer,” came a meek voice from the chapel. And although Ma Abbott had gone, and Farthing was out doing a country removal, he insisted on being interviewed in his showroom, which had a soundproof sliding door.
    At this point Dr Strydom took his leave, having suddenly remembered his daily appointment beside the triangle in the central prison. Those sentenced to strokes would already be lining up and waiting for him. He had to certify them fit for punishment, see the kidneys were properly protected, and keep an eye on responses. Buttocks are a common vehicle of abuse, but it is not prudent to abuse them overmuch.
    â€œOkay, but I want the laboratory reports tonight,” Kramer said, turning abruptly away. He let Abbott see to the door while he chose the

Similar Books

Bone Deep

Gina McMurchy-Barber

In Vino Veritas

J. M. Gregson

Wolf Bride

Elizabeth Moss

Just Your Average Princess

Kristina Springer

Mr. Wonderful

Carol Grace

Captain Nobody

Dean Pitchford

Paradise Alley

Kevin Baker

Kleber's Convoy

Antony Trew