The water sluiced off the mud and filthy water that had dried on the victim’s skin and sent it running into the gutters on either side of the table, then away down the drain. It couldn’t go into the general sewage pipes, Annie knew, in case of blood contaminants and other nasty things, so the resultant mess went into tanks where it had to be specially treated later before it was carefully disposed of.

When Karen had finished, Annie could see that the victim was slim with small, high breasts and long, shapely legs. She was of average height, and everything was in proportion. Her blond hair was parted on the left and fell over her ears and as far as the nape of her neck, showing dark brown roots and two pink streaks.

As always, Dr. Glendenning’s first task after the body had been undressed—not necessary today—and examined for trace evidence was to carry out a careful examination of the surface. The removal of the dried mud and scum might reveal identifying marks or injuries that hadn’t been noticed before. This case was no exception. Dr. Burns had estimated time of death at the scene between one and three in the morning. Dr. Glendenning didn’t disagree or put forward a shorter time period. He pointed out the dark bruiselike stripe down her left side, interrupted where her hip and shoulder had touched the ground, and the bruising around the broken right hip. “Postmortem lividity indicates she died in the position she was found—on her left side, curled up—and that the body wasn’t moved,” he said. “There are signs of a bit of scavenger activity—it was a warm night—but not too much. I’ve seen the crime-scene photos, and she was still in the fetal position when she was brought in here last night, so in my opinion Dr. Burns is right, and she was protecting herself from a rain of blows. Or trying to.” He pointed to cuts on her hips and upper thighs. “And I’ve matched these with the samples of barbed wire and broken glass recovered from the scene.”

Despite the extensive recording equipment, Gerry busied herself taking notes. Annie suspected she was doing it partly to take her mind off what was happening, distancing herself, becoming a fly on the wall. It seemed to be working, as she showed no obvious reaction to anything Karen or Dr. Glendenning said or did.