*

‘Right, let’s get started,’ Dr Pullen said as she entered the room, now wearing protective clothing and carrying a clipboard and pen. ‘I just need everyone’s names for the records, please.’

Boon’s eyes lit up. ‘Nice-looking for a mortuary technician,’ he whispered to Jane.

‘PC Rogers, Jack the mortuary technician and DS Tennison I already know.’ Pullen looked at Boon. ‘And you are . . .?’

Boon who was still admiring Pullen’s figure didn’t hear her question. Jane nudged him with her elbow. He stood straighter, and puffed out his chest.

‘Detective Constable Simon Boon, Bromley CID. I accompanied the coffin from the building site to the mortuary. I am also assisting DS Tennison with this case and will perform the role of exhibits officer.’

‘Good for you, Simon,’ Pullen said with a wry smile.

‘May I say how refreshing it is to meet a lady mortuary technician,’ he said. ‘You must have a strong stomach for this job.’

‘I’m not a mortuary technician,’ she said, still smiling.

Boon looked confused. ‘Oh . . . are you a coroner’s officer?’

‘No. I’m Dr Samantha Pullen, a forensic pathologist.’

Boon flushed and mumbled an apology.

‘I’m so sorry, doctor . . . I didn’t realise . . . I was expecting a man . . . I mean Professor Martin.’

‘I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations, DC Boon,’ she said, not smiling anymore.

Pullen put her clipboard down on a work surface then picked up a mortuary hammer and chisel. She looked at Boon with a steely expression. ‘These should do.’

‘Do for what?’ he asked nervously.

‘Opening the coffin.’

As Dr Pullen lowered the examination table, Boon whispered to Jane, ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was the pathologist?’

‘Remember what I said about revenge,’ Jane replied. ‘And by the way, your chat-up lines are awful.’

‘Was it that obvious?’

‘Blindingly!’

‘Right, let’s unseal this coffin,’ Pullen said.

‘What’s it sealed with?’ Boon asked Pullen, but Rogers answered.

‘Metal coffins are normally sealed with a rubber gasket that goes all the way around the edge of the lid. The sealing clasps then lock the lid in place.’ He pointed to one. ‘And the rubber gasket forms a tight seal that prevents air and moisture from getting in.’

‘So, if there’s a body in there it might be in good condition?’ Boon asked.

‘Not necessarily,’ Pullen said. ‘Sealing a casket won’t prevent a body from decomposing, even if it’s been embalmed.’

Pullen undid the clasps, then put the chisel in between the two halves and gave it a knock with the hammer. To her surprise, the chisel slid in easily. ‘Looks like the rubber seal has degraded.’ She pushed the handle of the chisel down, and the top of the coffin started to open. ‘Although it may be heavier than it looks, I think this lid will come off fairly easily.’ She looked at PC Rogers and Boon. ‘Can you give us a hand to lift it off, please? The protective gloves are over there.’