Wrongful Death by Lynda La Plante

the bundle she had prepared and held it up. ‘Look on this close-up photo. There’s some blood on the floor in line with his right knee. The direction and position is away from the body. Assuming it’s back spatter then there should be blood on the back of his hand.’
    Anna recalled the pathologist’s report mentioning powder burns around the entry wound, which indicated the gun was held close to the head of the victim. She realized that Dewar had hit on something that was critical to the scene assessment and wondered if it had been looked into at the time and was yet another thing Paul Simms had omitted to mention in his report.
    ‘I have to say, Jessie, your scene re-assessment is not only very professional but also very interesting. You’ve raised some thought-provoking questions about how Joshua Reynolds may have died,’ Anna conceded.
    ‘Thank you, Anna. I know it was a bit long-winded but I tend to envelop myself in my own world trying to figure out every possible scenario.’
    ‘Why didn’t you tell me your concerns about the scene before now?’
    ‘Because I needed to come here and get a real feel for the place and put it all together piece by piece.’
    Anna understood, she often got a gut feeling herself and never said anything until she could confirm her own suspicions. She wondered if her bias towards the Reynolds case being suicide, coupled with her eagerness to go to Quantico, had clouded her judgement.
    ‘There are obviously serious issues concerning the blood distribution,’ Anna said, wishing she had taken more time to examine the scene photographs herself.
    ‘Simms’ report doesn’t even mention a blood distribution expert attending the scene,’ Dewar remarked.
    ‘Pete Jenkins was the forensic scientist who dealt with the stuff sent to the lab so I assume he also attended the scene. Simms’ report said a Crime Scene Manager and Dr Harrow the pathologist did.’
    ‘We really need to speak with this guy Jenkins and the pathologist as soon as possible,’ Dewar insisted.
    ‘Leave it with me and I will arrange a meet with them both.’
    However, Anna was apprehensive about Dewar discussing her thoughts and theories with Pete Jenkins. The agent, convinced she was right, was on a real high and Anna knew she would not let go easily. It worried her that no matter what Pete said she would try and force her opinions on him. Anna knew he was one of the best forensic scientists in the lab, as she’d reaped the benefits of his forensic knowledge and expert opinion on a number of murder investigations. If Pete Jenkins disproved Dewar’s scene assessment, Anna thought it would be better coming from her, albeit second hand. That way she could tell Dewar calmly and objectively that she was wrong. She hoped that her breakfast meeting with Paul Simms might help to clear up some of her concerns before she made contact with Pete.
    Arriving back at the station, Dewar went to the canteen to get them each a sandwich. As Anna made a beeline for Paul Barolli, her mobile rang.
    ‘I’m Gloria Lynne, Donna’s mother, and I’m sorry to bother you, Detective Travis, but there’s a bit of a hiccup with this afternoon’s agenda. It’s Donna, you see. Poor darling has got herself into a bit of a tizzy.’
    Anna immediately noticed how well spoken Gloria was, with a distinct upper-class voice.
    ‘About my wanting to speak with her?’ Anna asked.
    ‘Oh, it’s not that at all, I haven’t even told her you’re a vice-squad detective. I simply instructed her to be here at four as I had someone coming for afternoon tea that I wanted her to meet.’
    ‘I see,’ Anna said, not exactly sure what the problem was.
    ‘Donna is still very emotional about the loss of Joshua, so the mention of police, or anything or anyone connected to him is quite distressing for her. So, I thought it best you came along unannounced.’
    ‘So what’s the hiccup, Mrs Lynne?’
    ‘Donna forgot that she had a three-o’clock