Page 10 of Solving Sophronia

“Sophie Bremerton. And the pleasure is mine, Doctor.”

“Delighted.” The older bowed awkwardly from his kneeling position, then looked down at the dead woman. “Now, what have we here?”

“We believe the victim was strangled.” Miss Bremerton spoke before Jonathan could respond.

Sergeant Lester returned to kneel across from the others. He held his lantern closer. “Bruises on her neck, Doctor.”

“Skin’s cold,” Dr. Peabody said, touching the woman’s cheek with the back of his fingers. He lifted her arm and bent the elbow, checking for rigor mortis. “Hasn’t been dead long.” He pulled down her collar.

Jonathan crouched beside the sergeant, leaning forward for a better view, though so many people gathered around the body made it difficult.

“Definitely could indicate asphyxia,” Dr. Peabody said. “Have you finished your initial examination of the scene, Detective? Might we turn her over?”

“Yes.” Jonathan and Sergeant Lester turned the woman onto her back.

“Hold a lantern, if you please, Miss Bremerton.” The doctor examined the deceased woman’s neck, then pulled up her eyelids. “Ah, look here.”

The three leaned closer, the flowers of Miss Bremerton’s hat effectively blocking Jonathan’s view.

“Petechial hemorrhaging,” Dr. Peabody said. “Another sign of asphyxia.” He lifted the victim’s outstretched hand, studied it, laid it beside her, and then reached across the body to lift the other. “No defensive wounds.”

“You think she did not resist her attacker?” Miss Bremerton asked.

“Impossible to say,” Dr. Peabody replied. “I’ll know more once I can examine her in the morgue.” He looked closer at the hand he held, turning it over to study the nails. “Soft hands. A gentlewoman, perhaps?”

Jonathan spoke quickly before Miss Bremerton had the chance. “I’d considered it, but her clothing and jewelry would indicate otherwise.”

“Well, that is your area of expertise, not mine, Detective.” The doctor set the hand back.

“How long has she been dead?” Jonathan asked.

“Two hours, perhaps three.” He moved to stand.

Miss Bremerton jumped up and helped the doctor to his feet, retrieving his cane.

“Thank you, my dear.”

Jonathan and Sergeant Lester stood as well.

“I’ll let you know my findings,” Dr. Peabody said.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Jonathan and Miss Bremerton spoke at the same moment.

The lady took the doctor’s offered arm and accompanied him to the mouth of the alleyway, where he directed the waiting students from the medical college to retrieve the body and deliver it to the morgue.

Sergeant Lester picked up his lantern and Miss Bremerton’s notebook and bag and followed.

Jonathan clasped his hands behind his back and took one last look at the scene, wishing for daylight or a photographer. He had very few clues as to the dead woman’s identity and knew finding witnesses willing to talk would be difficult, if not impossible. As he walked to the mouth of the alley, he ground his teeth, frustrated that this would very likely be another unidentified woman in an unsolved case file.

“What is the next course of action, Sergeant Lester?” Miss Bremerton asked.

“We’ll interview potential witnesses, look into the lady’s identity, and hope the doctor is able to find anything on the body to give us direction.”

She nodded, writing something in her notebook. “Very good. As far as the gown—”

“That’s enough.” Jonathan had reached the end of his patience. “Listen, Miss Bremerton. I’ve had quite enough of your thrill seeking. This is a police matter. It is not your place to advise my sergeant on police procedure, nor for that matter, should you travel in this part of the city alone.”

“But I am not alone, sir. My carriage driver waits just—”

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