Page 3 of Her Hidden Shadow

‘Do we know the victim’s name?’

‘Sienna Moorcroft.’

Jacob stepped forward. ‘Is there anything else you can tell us yet?’

PC Smith shook his head. ‘No, that’s it for now. Bernard is in the bedroom processing the scene.’

Gina nodded. She took the pen and clipboard, filling out the crime scene log. She stepped under the cordon, grabbed two crime scene suits packs, passing one to Jacob and opening one for herself. By the time they reached the front door, they’d both togged up, put their boot covers, face masks and gloves on, ready to check out the scene. She glanced down at the shattered lipstick and crumpled tissues next to the step.

A crime scene assistant rushed past them. Gina didn’t recognise her. ‘Is Jennifer working the scene?’ Gina asked Jacob as she wondered if his fiancée would be there.

‘No, guv. She’s not on tonight.’

Gina called out to the CSI. ‘Are we able to speak to Bernard yet?’

The assistant nodded. ‘Yes, I’ll just get him for you.’ She hurried in, leaving them standing on the stepping plates at the doorstep.

Moments later, Bernard arrived at the door and pulled his face mask down under his chin, allowing a bit of grey beard to escape. His head almost touched the doorframe as he blocked out the light from the hallway.

‘Can you tell us anything yet?’ Gina knew forensics had barely touched the scene, but she remained hopeful.

‘I’ve been here half an hour. I have a scene that has been contaminated by several officers and a homeowner who got into bed with the victim, but we have managed to get the stepping plates down and it is a roomy bungalow. You can enter but stay on those plates and stay by the entrance to each room. Come through.’ He returned his mask to his mouth.

Gina stepped in first and Jacob stayed close behind, their shoes clopping on the plates with each step. The door to the right led to a spacious lounge and dining area. Straight ahead the door to the kitchen was open, but they followed Bernard to the left, past a large bathroom and then she stopped as they watched the assistants marking out evidence and taking photos and video. Gina struggled to swallow as her gaze reached the victim. Her delicate features pale in death and her dark hair splayed out on the pillow. Jacob looked away and held a hand over his mouth. ‘You okay?’

He nodded and took a step back.

‘Look, if you’re not feeling so good, step out. I’ll be okay here.’

‘Thanks, guv.’ He left the room.

Bernard cleared his throat and continued talking. ‘As you can see, the victim has been stabbed in the upper arm, but this injury did not cause her death. She was stabbed first, then see that thin scarf on the floor, looking at the blood pattern on it and the ligature marks around the victim’s neck, she was then strangled with it. We’ve placed bags over her hands to preserve any evidence under her nails.’

Gina glanced at the beautiful scarf, dotted with blue flowers. ‘She’s dressed.’ The victim wore a little black dress that reached just above her knee.

‘Yes, she is. Her dress hasn’t been tampered with.’

‘Any signs of sexual assault?’

‘We know she’s recently had sex but there is no sign of force that we can see. We have noted that she wasn’t wearing any underpants and there are none on the floor or in the bed.’

‘Have we found the weapon that was used to stab her with?’

‘No, not yet.’

‘We need to check the whole perimeter of the bungalow, the garden and the bins as soon as we’re able to disturb the scene.’ She hoped they’d be able to do a thorough search soon.

‘I’ll let you know when.’ Bernard nodded to the CSI as she photographed the scarf.

‘There’s another dress there.’ She pointed to another little black dress on the carpet.

‘Yes, the woman who left in the ambulance had nothing but a blanket wrapped around her.’

‘So, it could be her dress. Do we know how the murderer got in?’

Bernard swallowed. ‘There are no signs of forced entry.’

Gina exhaled. ‘So, the murderer lives here or was let in and there is no sign of the other homeowner.’

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