“Not the cause?” Douglas frowned.
“No, death was due to a massive heart attack. As her heart was completely healthy and she had no other underlying medical problems, he feels that the evidence he found showing starvation of oxygen to her brain, caused by pressure being put on her carotid arteries, led to a heart attack. There were faint bruises on her neck from thumbs and indication that the scarf we found wound around her neck, had been pulled tight. He thinks the silk scarf was used to ensure maximum potency and least bruising.”
“Was it consensual?”
“Probably, as there was no other bruising found, nor injuries. There was minimal bruising from the restraints. If she’d been tied up against her will, the Major says there were would more in the way of abrasions.”
“Jesus,” muttered Holly, chewing one end of her platted hair.
Crane indicated the photographs he’d put up on the white board of Sally lying dead on her bed.
“As we saw from the crime scene, the bed linen had been removed and was found in the washing machine. There was an overall smell of bleach in the flat and the Major has confirmed that her body was washed down with the stuff. Presumably that was all done by the perpetrator. Sally’s flat mate, Donna, didn’t do it and the smell of bleach was particularly strong when she arrived back home yesterday and found her friend’s body.”
“And there’s no forensic evidence on her at all?” asked Douglas.
“No, none. Not after all that bleach.”
“No semen?”
“No, Ciaran, only faint traces of a lubricant commonly used on condoms.”
“He really made sure there was nothing of himself left in the flat,” said Anderson. “Right down to dousing the scarves he’d used in a solution of bleach as well.”
“Or her, sir,” said Holly and they all turned and gaped at her. “Our killer could equally be a woman. It’s not just blokes that enjoy BDSM, you know,” she said.
“I suppose you’re right,” said Crane, a slight flush creeping up his face.
You can continue reading Death Elements by getting your copy from Amazon now
By Wendy Cartmell
All my books are available to borrow in Amazon Kindle Unlimited
Sgt Major Crane crime thrillers:
Steps to Heaven
40 Days 40 Nights
Honour Bound
Cordon of Lies
Hijack
Regenerate
Glass Cutter
Solid Proof
Emma Harrison Mysteries:
Past Judgement
Mortal Judgement
Joint Judgement
Crane and Anderson crime thrillers:
Death Rites
Death Elements
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From Wendy
I do hope you’ve enjoyed Honour Bound. If so, perhaps you would be kind enough to post a review on Amazon. Reviews really do make all the difference to authors and it is great to get feedback from you, the reader. Just one or two sentences would be fine.
If you haven’t read one of my novels before, you may be interested in the remainders of the Sgt Major Crane books, following Tom Crane and DI Anderson as they take on the worst crimes committed in and around Aldershot Garrison. At the time of writing there are eight Sgt Major Crane crime thrillers.
Past Judgment, Mortal Judgment and Joint Judgement are a new series. It is a spin-off from the Sgt Major Crane novels and features Emma Harrison from Hijack and Sgt Billy Williams of the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police.
Crane and Anderson crime thrillers, follow Crane’s latest investigations. At the moment there are two books, Death Rites and Death Elements.
All my books are available on Amazon: http://author.to/WendyCartmell
You can read my blog: Booked a criminally good book blog
You can keep in touch through my website http://www.wendycartmell.webs.com
I’m also on Twitter @wendycartmell
and can be contacted directly by email:
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Happy reading until the next time...
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Death Rites
Prologue
1
2
3
4
5
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7
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73
Death Element
Boy
Aldershot Mail Online
Crane
By Wendy Cartmell
From Wendy
Death Rites Page 21
