He sighed with nostalgia. Now this was the sort of case he could relate to, one that made perfect sense to a copper’s mind. Probable suspect, a jealous ex-lover, peeved associate, botched burglary attempt . . . all round, it was good old-fashioned copper’s fare.
David’s activities discreetly moved into the background as the DCI took over.
‘Anything?’ he asked Fred Hiller from forensics as the wizened little man with thin lips and seemingly too many teeth returned from the bedroom.
‘Your David was quite right, in that Ms. Algood could not have been the killer. What I have only just discovered bears out his observations. Ms. Algood is left-handed. The killer was right-handed. There is a considerable amount of blood and brain-matter, even on the ceiling, which, if she was the killer, she would most certainly be covered with. As well, judging by the force and type of blows inflicted, I would say that we are dealing with a man, and a very strong one at that.
‘David was also correct in that there was no sign of forced entry and that nothing seems to have been taken. Therefore Ms. Algood is possibly complicit but is not directly a suspect.’ He smiled, a sight to frighten children. ‘All that remains is for you to prise from her what she knows, and this case will soon be dealt with.’