My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  Jim shook Brian’s hand promising to be in touch when his workload dropped. Jim waved to Julie who was looking out of the window; then he travelled the reverse journey, Vicky was watching the wild life as she sat in silence; her thoughts still focussing on the body in the woods, then the carcasses in the cooler.

  Jim said ‘come on Vick or I’ll be slapping your bum again.’ ‘Fuck off Jim’ as she smiled to herself.

  The morning arrived too quickly for Vicky as she ate some toast whilst drinking coffee. Then she joined the commuter traffic, it was nose to tail; 9am was a bad time of day for anything but, there was nothing she could do other than go with it.

  Vicky arrived at the mortuary car park, where she saw Jim and Langton helping Jeremy with his kit. Vicky made her way to the doors; she could already feel the anticipation growing inside her. She stopped as she gave herself a good talking too as she stamped her foot reminding herself of what Jim had said. Then she took a sharp lungful of clean air as she entered the mortuary. She was greeted by Jim, Langton and Jeremy who nodded and smiled as he was erecting the tri-pod for his camera.

  Vicky looked at the body of Caroline, lying naked on the slab, her lips were blue, her eyes closed she looked in some way serene. But Caroline was going to be subjected to an onslaught, an invasion of her body, her insides taken out for dissection. Then Vicky pinched herself again, reminding herself that Caroline was dead, the life that once made her, had gone, it had been taken, the body on the slab was just a piece of meat. As she recalled what Jim had told her how to think, as it would make the situation easier to cope with.

  Jim looked at Vicky then said ‘you okay Vick?’ ‘Yeah just wondering when I will get used to this.’ ‘Hey you’re doing well don’t worry, just go with it, and if you need to be sick, there’s no shame in it, just go; there have been many who have done so before you; I have seen big burly blokes faint, so don’t worry.’ Vicky nodded and smiled then said ‘leave my bum alone you’ as she smiled. Vicky recalled how Jim had patted her bum at the first PM she had been to when she was feeling sick, she was so incensed by his hand on her bum that she forgot about the PM, but she had to laugh as she looked at the smile across Jim’s face as he nodded and said ‘that took you’re mind off it?’

  Raymond Partridge came out of a side office dressed in white wellingtons and apron he was pulling on a pair of surgical gloves as he walked towards them. ‘Good morning lady and gents shall we start;’ he looked and smiled at Jeremy who nodded to indicate he was set-up and ready.

  Partridge turned on his voice recorder giving the time and date, including confirmation of the victims name, her height and overall condition from a visual point of view. Then he confirmed his conclusion at the scene. ‘From my initial examination I would say in my opinion the victim was strangled, also from the disarray of her clothing I would also suggest she was probably raped as well.’ He then parted her legs and inserted lengthy swabs inside her vagina and anus, placing each one into separate glass phials. He then examined the inner thighs. ‘From the redness on the inside of the thighs I would conclude that force had been used to separate them, whether by force, or consensually is a matter of conjecture, but with strangulation as the suspected cause of death, I would presume by force.’

  Partridge then moved up the body examining each part. He then looked at the hands then took fingernail scrapings placing the flat ended cocktail sticks into a phial snapping them before he did. The reason for the snapping was a visual sign indicating that the sticks had been used.

  Then he examined the throat, Partridge opened up the throat even more by using a scalpel making deep incisions so the inside was completely exposed. Talking into his recorder loud enough for all to hear ‘I can definitely say that the hyoid bone has been fractured and together with the petechial in the eyes and facial skin, I have no doubt in saying she had been strangled.’ Jeremy was taking close-up shots of the neck. Partridge went onto say ‘there is also redness at the site of the Adams apple indicative that the thumbs of the assailant were probably used to exert pressure to the throat.’

  The remainder of the post mortem was carried out with the internal organs and intestines exposed after a long incision had been made. Vicky held a scented handkerchief to her nose to try and avoid the smell as the lungs, liver and kidneys were removed with small sections taken for forensic examination. The contents of the stomach were removed and placed into a jar containing a neutral solution. Partridge then inserted a digital thermometer into the liver then ran his finger down a chart and confirmed death had been the same as he had indicated at the scene.

  Jim reminded Vicky ‘petechial is where the blood vessels in the eye’s and cheeks burst open when strangulation takes place, so gives a good indication that asphyxiation was the cause of death, which together with the hyoid bone being broken was confirmation that strangulation was undoubtedly the cause of Caroline’s death.’ Partridge went onto say ‘the microscopic examination of the lungs and brain will confirm if they had been starved of oxygen, and if they had then there would be no doubt about the cause of death, but from my findings so far I would have little hesitation in saying she had been strangled.’

  Vicky was pinching herself trying to stay calm and not be sick. Jim looked at her although she was struggling he let her ride this one out. Then Partridge cut around the back of the neck and around the ears pulling the whole scalp forward, then he zipped around the exposed skull-cap with a spinning blade. The tiny splinters of bone could be seen flying through the air as the blade cut into the skull. The sound of the blade could be heard spinning at a high rate, then as the teeth gripped the bone it caused a slight reduction in speed as the blade took hold. Once a complete circle had been made the skull-cap was lifted and the brain exposed. After the spinal cord had been cut the brain was removed then placed into a glass receptacle of preserving liquid.

  Partridge then said ‘that’s it lady and gents you will have my report in due course, but as stated, in my opinion strangulation was the cause of death, but full confirmation will be given after the lab results but, I have little doubt about it.’

  Langton thanked Partridge as Jeremy walked out with Jim and Vicky. Langton said to Vicky ‘you’re getting an old hand at these now.’ Vicky smiled as she nodded. Jim said to Langton ‘breakfast I’m starving.’ Langton nodded as Vicky smiled; she wasn’t hungry, but she wasn’t going to show she was still suffering from feeling queasy.

  Langton drove to a local greasy spoon, Jim followed with Vicky in his car. Jim and Langton ordered a full-English each, but Vicky could only just about manage scrambled egg on toast, even that was a struggle to keep down.

  The discussion over breakfast was about where they went from here with the investigation. Jim stated that he and Vicky would be interviewing the husband later also assessing whether the piece of paper with ‘Michael 8.30pm’ on was significant.

  Langton nodded then said ‘the incident room will open tomorrow morning.’ Jim nodded as he finished his breakfast then Langton left Vicky and Jim talking. ‘How are you feeling Vick?’ ‘Not too bad now, but felt a bit queasy earlier.’ ‘Yep you’re definitely getting better at it, that’s a shame though; did the visit to the game larder help?’ ‘I think it did a bit, so now you won’t smack my bum anymore?’ Vicky laughed as Jim nodded and smiled at her.

  ‘Right Vick let’s go and interview Romney,’ Vicky nodded as they finished their coffee.

  The ride over to see Romney was quiet as Vicky reflected on the PM questioning herself, would she ever get used to it, the same as Jim and Langton had?

  Jim knocked the door, after a few minutes a haggard looking Craig Romney answered, he had bags under his eyes; he was still in his pyjamas with a dressing gown on top.

  ‘Oh so sorry, please come in, excuse my state, I haven’t slept much.’ Jim nodded as he said ‘We understand Mr Romney.’ They were led to a big kitchen with an equally big table. Mr Romney offered them coffee which they both accepted.

  Jim could see h
is hands shaking as he spooned coffee into the cups then poured in hot water. The milk jug and sugar were already on the table. Jim looked around at the nice décor, then said ‘lovely house Mr Romney.’ ‘Thank you, we worked hard to get it this nice.’ Jim could see him welling up again so jumped in. ‘We are sorry to be here at this time, we will be as sensitive as we can, but we need to commence the investigation at the grass roots so to speak.’ Romney nodded then said ‘please go on.’

  Jim cleared his throat then said ‘How long had you been married?’ ‘About 20 years give or take.’ ‘What were Caroline’s likes and dislikes?’ ‘She liked dancing and was part of a dance class, salsa I think, oh yeah and something called Zumba as well, but mainly salsa.’ Sounds as if she was busy, did you dance as well?’ ‘No two left feet, that’s me.’

  Jim sipped his coffee then said ‘any children?’ ‘No, Caroline couldn’t have children, but we were happy without, just doing what we liked to do.’ ‘Did she have a best friend, any girlfriends?’ ‘Only one, she liked to go out with an old school friend Francesca; that was her closest friend.’ ‘What are your hobbies?’ ‘Oh not much, I put most of my energy into work, I have always worked hard, it has paid for this nice house and holidays abroad.’

  Jim drank some more coffee then said ‘did Caroline have a job?’ ‘Yes she worked part time for a firm of accountants as a secretary, my company uses them as well, here’s their business card.’ Jim nodded then said ‘this may seem a strange request, but did Caroline keep a diary?’ ‘Yes it’s upstairs.’ Jim nodded to Vicky who went with Romney. Jim looked through the kitchen drawers and cupboards whilst they were upstairs, but found nothing to cause any suspicions, not that he thought there would be.

  Vicky looked into the bedroom as Romney said ‘excuse the mess.’ Then he broke down and sobbed. Vicky sat down on the bed with him and held his hand as he rested his head on her shoulder and sobbed.

  Romney apologised to Vicky then looked for the diary; having found it, he handed it over to Vicky as she nodded, then they went downstairs. Jim heard them returning so quickly sat down.

  Jim then said ‘thank you for the diary we will need to take it and read the contents, as it may give some clues.’ Jim went on ‘can you tell us where she went on the night she went missing?’ ‘Yes, she said she was going to her salsa class.’ ‘What time did she leave and what time would she normally come home?’ ‘I don’t know what time she left probably around 6.30, I was still at work, she normally leaves around that time and gets home at about 9.30 sometimes later, as she also goes for a drink afterwards with some of the class members, but she didn’t come home.’ Jim could see he was welling up again, so said ‘Does she have her own car?’ ‘Yes a blue Freelander.’ Craig then read out the registration number. Jim then asked if she ever stayed out all night at friends. Craig shook his head ‘no she always came home.’ ‘Oh just a thought, do you know someone called Michael?’ ‘No it doesn’t mean anything to me, why?’ ‘Oh nothing really, we found a scrap of paper near the body with the name Michael on, it may or may not be connected as according to the gamekeeper many people use the area.’

  Jim thanked him and obtained the relevant addresses and phone numbers for Francesca and the dance class teacher. He looked at Vicky who said ‘what did Caroline wear when she went to the classes.’ ‘Oh, that was a bone of contention, as she always wore short skirts or dresses and high heels when she went to salsa, she told me it was the normal thing for the class.’ Jim then said ‘we found a plastic rose in her handbag was that hers?’ ‘Yes she took it to salsa to put between her teeth she said.’ Jim nodded shook hands with him then left with Vicky.

  When they were in the car they discussed their first impressions, Vicky said ‘I have the feeling she was seeing someone on the side, her husband at work all the time and no attention.’ ‘You could well be right Vick, no kids, him at work till late and her lonely.’ He laughed and said ‘well that’s it case solved.’ Vicky laughed as well, then she said ‘except who done it, it couldn’t have been the husband as he was at work, although we still need to confirm that?’ Jim continued to laugh then said ‘sod it there goes the early night.’

  Jim called the number for Francesca and made an appointment for the early evening, then rang the dance class teacher who was at home. They drove the mile or so to her address. On the way Jim said ‘I think I’ve seen salsa dancing on TV Vick, what it is like in real life?’ ‘It’s a very provocative dance with lots of gyrations, Latin American, lively and fun.’ Jim continued thinking of the probability of another man. Then smiled as he thought perhaps even another woman?

  They arrived at a nice semi in a suburban street. Jim rang the doorbell which was answered after a few minutes; ‘sorry’ said the woman wiping her hands on her apron ‘just preparing dinner.’ Jim introduced himself and Vicky then said ‘Mrs Wright is that correct?’ ‘Yes, please do come in’ as she led the way to the lounge. ‘Now then, please call me Veronica.’ Jim started the interview ‘okay Veronica, you know why we are here?’ ‘Yes I do, oh what a shock, poor Caroline, she was such a lovely dancer and full of life on the dance floor.’ ‘Tell me about her?’ ‘Well she was quite shy when she first came to the classes, but once she learnt the moves she really got into it with her heart and soul, I wanted her to enter competitions, but she didn’t want to go that far, she just enjoyed the fun.’ Vicky said ‘did she come on her own?’ ‘Yes she did, but we try to partner the dancers with the same skill set and then change them halfway to let newcomers get to dance with more competent members.’ Jim then said ‘who was her normal partner?’ ‘Gordon, yes Gordon, he was a good dancer too; they made a lovely couple.’ Then Veronica said ‘oh please excuse me I must turn the dinner down, would you like coffee?’ Both Jim and Vicky nodded.

  Jim looked around the room there were loads of cups and shields for dancing competitions. Also photographs of Veronica receiving awards. She had been a stunner in her younger days although she still looked attractive now.

  Veronica returned with a tray with coffee mugs, milk and sugar. ‘Shall I play mum’ as she smiled, ‘Just milk for us both’ Vicky said; then Jim smiled, as he said ‘I was just admiring all your trophies.’ ‘Oh yes, that was some years ago now, my husband and I won lots of times in our younger days, but we had to pack up when the kids came along, although we still enjoy dancing, we no longer compete.’

  Jim then said ‘this is a murder investigation Veronica and we have to explore all avenues and leave no stone unturned, therefore some of my questions may seem disrespectful, but they are asked to seek the truth so please don’t be offended or shocked.’ Veronica frowned as she said ‘please ask away.’

  ‘Okay in your opinion was Caroline happy at home, did she confide in you?’ ‘Difficult to answer, but she appeared to be lonely, looking for excitement, we weren’t that close, but I had the feeling she let her hair down when dancing.’ ‘Did you ever meet her husband?’ ‘No he was always at work, so she said.’ Jim sipped his coffee then Vicky said ‘Gordon, what is he like?’ ‘He’s a couple of years older than Caroline and as far as I know happily married, his wife drop’s him off then she picks him up after her yoga class.’ Jim continued ‘was there a Michael in the class?’ ‘There used to be, he moved away a while ago, but where to, I have no idea before you ask.’ ‘Do you have a mobile number for him?’ ‘Yes, I did once, but when he moved I threw it away and his address, why do you ask?’ ‘Just exploring all avenues that’s all; okay now the serious question, do you think she was having an affair?’ ‘Oh I don’t think so, well not with anyone from the class.’ Jim looked at Vicky who said ‘her husband said she would go for a drink after the class do you know where that might have been?’ ‘Sometimes some of the members would go to the Crown and Thistle down the road from the class when it finished, but I never went.’ Jim then said ‘okay Veronica just to wrap up, her husband said that Caroline used to wear short skirts and dresses to the classes is that normal for the women?’ ‘Most of them do, so
me change when they are here, others wear long coats to cover themselves, most of the new members just wear normal clothes, but Caroline always wanted to play the part and would become someone completely different on the dancefloor, she even put a rose stem between her teeth when dancing some of the steps, a plastic rose of course, but she loved to dance.’

  Jim looked at Vicky who shook her head indicating she had nothing else to say. ‘Thank you Veronica you have been a great help, I have your number if I need to contact you again, but in the meantime can you write down for me all the names and addresses also any contact numbers for the students in your class please, I’ll pick it up in a couple of days?’ ‘Of course I can, I’ll ring you when it’s ready?’ Jim thanked Veronica and handed his card to her as she showed them out. Then he said ‘sorry just one more question, did Caroline attend the class on the night she went missing?’ ‘Yes she did, she appeared to be her normal self, nothing out of the ordinary as far as I could tell.’ ‘Do you know if she went to the Crown when she left?’ ‘I don’t think so; I vaguely remember her turning down the offer she seemed in a bit of a hurry after the class.’ ‘What time did the class end on that night?’ ‘Just the same as normal we start at 7 and end at 8.30.’ Jim concluded by saying, ‘thank you so much you have been a great help.’

  Once in the car Jim said ‘what you think Vick?’ ‘No idea Jim, perhaps her diary might provide some answers.’ Jim nodded then said ‘I wonder if Michael from the class and the note in her purse are one and the same?’ ‘Your guess is as good as mine Jim.’

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