Dr Rahim doesn’t answer straight away, but Joe is relieved to see she seems to be considering his question and not giving him the familiar line about it not being her job. ‘When you cut off someone’s oxygen supply,’ she eventually explains, ‘the body reacts very quickly, and can lose consciousness in seconds. But to kill someone, you need to apply pressure for minutes. That’s why we often see strangulation in domestic abuse cases – it can make victims feel like they’re dying, give abusers that power, but without causing major physical injuries. So in answer to your question, I would say it depends. If the perpetrator is familiar with violence, then no, they weren’t trying to kill Mark. But a less aware attacker could have seen Mark stop breathing, lose consciousness, and believe him to be dying.’

‘That’s helpful, I think,’ Joe says with a smile. ‘It makes me wonder whether I could ask one more,’ he adds sheepishly. Dr Rahim rolls her tired eyes, but crucially doesn’t walk away, so Joe keeps talking. He knows the forensic officer will have swabbed Mark’s neck for fibre residue, and taken lots of photos, but he’s a believer in the more expert advice, the better. ‘From the markings, can you tell what kind of ligature was used to strangle Mark?’

Dr Rahim tips her head to one side in thought. ‘It’s hard to say,’ she says thoughtfully. ‘Something thinner than a belt, but thicker than a washing line. Maybe a tie, but I wouldn’t be confident enough to say that in court. Your forensics officer was here earlier; I’m sure he’ll have a better idea.’

‘Thanks, I appreciate your help. And you’ll let us know as soon as he wakes up?’

‘Not me,’ she says with a smile. ‘My shift finished three hours ago. But yes, I’ll make sure someone calls you.’

‘Thanks,’ Joe says again, then ambles back to Jason who is now sat next to Mrs Sullivan. ‘Time to go, mate.’

‘Yeah, coming.’ But before he gets up, Jason takes Mrs Sullivan hand in his. ‘Mark will be fine, and we’ll catch the man who did this, okay?’

‘Okay,’ she whispers back. ‘And thank you.’

The pair of them walk back to the lift, and out into the fresh air. ‘Where next then?’ Jason asks. ‘The crime scene?’

‘Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But I just want to stop somewhere first. It’s on the same road.’

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Saskia