Body on a Sofa - Chapter 2

Body on a Sofa

Chapter 2

DI Walker read through the PM and called Alfy and DC Strange, who had just got back from the hospital, into his office. They sat down and waited.

‘As we thought the cause of death was due to having both of her vena cava cut, causing massive and fatal bleeding. Whilst she was dying the killer was pulling her head back, possibly to avoid contamination with the blood, but also to keep out of reach of any retaliation. There was a scuff mark on the carpet, but no clear footprint. As we don’t believe the killer came around in front of her, we think the smudge was caused when he went across the room to tape the mother up. Incidentally, the mother is doing okay, and as we know is with her other daughter. Forensics say that the tape used to secure her was a well-known proprietary product sold in numerous retail outlets.’

‘There was no evidence of any defensive wounds on Morgan, or that she had managed to hit or fight back. So, he must have been standing out of reach. She certainly had long enough hair for him to be some way back, far enough to prevent her getting to his face. But not maybe for her to grab his hands. But bearing in mind he was behind her, the sofa was in the way and she would have been reaching backwards, I doubt she would be able to get a grip of any part of him’

‘Looking at the toxicology report there were no obvious anomalies, or anything untoward. The alcohol level was low, indicative of between one and two glasses of wine. This was corroborated by the glass on the floor and the opened bottle of wine on the coffee table. Any questions?’

‘One thing that was slightly odd, I felt,’ said Alfy, ‘was the way Morgan was dressed.’

‘Go on.’

‘Well, it appeared to be a night in front of the television. If so, you would expect Morgan to be dressed in casual clothes. But she was wearing smart casual, and was well made up. It was quite late in the evening to be going out, and it feels anomalous to me.’

‘Excuse me, ma’am, can I just make a comment here?’ asked DC Strange.

‘Go ahead DC Strange.'

‘Well ma’am, in talking to Mrs. Smith in the hospital she told me that Morgan should have had a date with an old school friend, but she was stood up. That may be the reason for the smart casual dress and make-up. Mrs. Smith told me that Morgan was expecting to be picked up at 7.30.’

‘Okay. Let’s follow that up. Right DC Strange anything else from the hospital?’

‘Yes ma’am. I was able to have a brief interview with Mrs. Smith. She has little sight so she did not recognise her assailant, nor could she give any description. She felt that it was a man, wearing a mask or scarf, that covered most of his face. However, she could see his eyes, though not clearly, but got the impression the skin around the eyes was white. Or at least pale. He didn’t hurt her, but did force her arms down to her legs to tape her. Nothing was said so she has no idea how his voice sounded. She cannot help us with an identity. The other thing the mother told me was that Morgan had recently split up from her husband. She told me the split was acrimonious, but did not offer any more details.’

‘Right. That’s interesting,’ said DI Walker. ‘Good work. But we will need a formal interview to corroborate those details. In the meantime, find out about Morgans education history and all the boys, where possible, at that school during her time there. It’s a big ask, but maybe he stood her up, so that he knew she’d be at home later that evening.’

‘Yes,’ countered Alfy. ‘But if that is the case then he has left a clue to his identity. It will be a big ask to find him via the school, but if we can pin him down and see where their lives intersected, we may get further proof.’

‘Although we knew Morgan had a husband, which would suggest heterosexuality, we don’t know for sure it was a bloke who stood her up. Mrs. Smith was not precise on that.’ DC Strange had a look of concentration on her face. She should have confirmed that.

‘Okay. Agreed. DC Strange get onto the school side and see what you can get. DS Morrow, organise a formal interview with Mrs. Smith. Take Dc Strange with you, she has established a rapport with Mrs. Smith. We need to get in touch with the ex-husband and get his prints for elimination purposes at least. We also need to interview him and find out his movements up to the death. He is a suspect until eliminated. In fact, the main suspect, since he and Morgan have recently split up, and most murder victims are killed by someone they know. DS Morrow, I want you to make a priority today to find the ex-husband, and arrange to interview him ASAP.’

‘Yes ma’am.’

‘Ma’am.’

With that they left DI Walker and returned to their desks. Alfy gave DC Strange a job.

‘Right Liz, get onto the hospital and arrange with them and Mrs. Smith to do a more formal interview. You can lead as you have worked up a relationship with her, and I’ll note take. But we have to establish whether it was a boy or girl who stood her up. That will save time with the troll through the school lists.’

‘Yes guv.’

Alfy went back to his desk to read through the PM. He knew Prof. Sanderson would have done a good job, and would not have missed anything, but it was always better to get your own perspective, and understanding

He poured himself a coffee and settled back to read the PM report. There was nothing in it that changed the ‘headline’ facts that Morgan had died from a slit throat. No. That wasn’t true, as her throat was not cut, only the blood vessels in the neck. Nothing else stood out. He placed the report back in the Morgan file. He had made some notes and would look through them later.

Refilling his coffee cup, he sat back down to find Morgans ex-husband. Using the full electoral roll and the police national computer system he made short work of identifying and finding an address. Phillip Mitchell. He even found a mobile number, which he rang.

‘Hello. This is Phillip. I can’t get to the phone. Please leave a message. Thanks,’ the recorded message said. After the beep, Alfy left a message.

‘Hello Phillip. This is DS Morrow, Lancashire Constabulary. I need to talk with you about your ex-wife Morgan. Please could you get in touch with me as a matter of urgency on either of the following numbers.’ Alfy left the numbers and then hung up.

Alfy walked across to DI Carters office, knocked and leant around the door.

‘I’ve left a message with Mr. Mitchell, that’s Morgan’s ex, asking him to contact me on my number or the stations. If he rings back tonight, I’ll try to arrange a meeting tomorrow. However I have time now to swing by his house, so I’ll take DC Strange with me. If he’s about, I’ll talk to him as well as ask him to come down to the station.’

‘Good work Alfy. Do that if. If we can get him in first thing that will be great,’ she replied.

Alfy looked for Elizabeth, DC Strange, and found here by the copier.

‘Come on, we’re going to find Morgan's husband and talk to him.’

They went down stairs and Alfy gave DC Strange the keys. When they got into the car and started it up Alfy read out the address as he punched it into the satnav.

It was only a short trip and would take about fifteen minutes, traffic willing. They set off in the rain and encroaching gloom, and arrived after nineteen minutes. Alfy went up to the door and rang the bell and knocked. There was no immediate response and after thirty seconds rang again. Still no response.

‘You stay here Liz, I’ll go around the back and see what’s going on.’

‘Yes Guv.’

Alfy walked down the street to the first gap in the houses and onto the back lane. He made his way to the back of the house. When he got there, the ill fitting gate opened with a push.

‘Police. Anyone there?’

There was nothing to see and so he went back out and shut the gate. He went back out to the front to rejoin DC Strange. They sat in the car and waited another twenty minutes, but there was no show, so they left and returned to the station, via a local coffee shop which Alfy wanted to try.