Definitely Dead by Kate Bendelow (howl and other poems TXT) 📕

After this had been completed, Elaine recovered Ryan Johnson’s mobile phone from the kitchen table.

The phone was swabbed and fingerprinted before being placed in a rigid container within a tamper-evident bag. An exhibit number was allocated, and descriptions added. Next, it was signed, sealed and handed to the waiting exhibits officer. He had been tasked with submitting the phone to the forensic digital unit at headquarters, so it could be examined as a matter of urgency. Although it was accepted that Ryan Johnson was already dead, it was hoped that information from his phone would provide investigators with much-needed information as to his recent movements.

Maya had already used the Kastle-Meyer presumptive blood testing kit to screen an area of staining on the lounge carpet. The kit worked by using a folded piece of filter paper to rub against the suspected bloodstain. Drops of the Kastle-Meyer reagent, followed by a drop of hydrogen peroxide were then added to the filter paper. A positive indication of blood caused the filter paper to turn a noticeable startling pink colour.

Elaine had then swabbed some of the blood using a wet and dry cotton swab. This exhibit would be fast-tracked to the forensic service provider for analysis. They would then enter the profile onto the National DNA Database, which in turn would confirm that the profile matched the PACE sample they already had on file for Ryan Johnson.

As they worked, an old, grey Volvo pulled up outside and the forensic biologist, Derek Billing emerged; a tall man with sparse grey hair, donning a ghastly bow tie. He was already visibly sweating as he suited and booted before making his way into the flat where Maya and Elaine met him in the hallway.

‘Hello, ladies, how goes it so far?’ He spoke in a polished, Pathé newsreader voice. He provided both with a flaccid handshake, barely grazing their fingertips.

‘We’re progressing nicely, thanks, Derek. We’re ready for the lab to come in.’ Elaine removed her face mask, gulping gratefully at the fresh air.

‘I’m aware from the strategy you’ve been asked to prioritise the lounge, so I’ll not get in your way. I’m just going to do a very quick search in there and mark up any obvious bloodstains.’ They watched as he took a series of still photographs on his own pocket-sized Nikon camera before commencing a search of the lounge with his torch.

A short time later, another car engine heralded a new arrival, and Kym’s Mini pulled up alongside Derek’s Volvo. Maya and Elaine went to greet her at the scene tape, quickly followed by a panting Derek. It became immediately obvious from his reaction that he was a huge admirer of Kym’s. What little of his face was showing above his mask and below the hood of his scene suit reddened at the sight of her.

‘Oh, look. It’s Kym, oh my. I didn’t realise I would be having the pleasure of seeing you here, dear lady.’

‘It’s looking very likely that this will turn out to be a murder enquiry, in which case I, or one of the other senior SOCOs will always turn out,’ Kym commented flatly.

‘Oh, of course,’ blustered Derek. ‘I should have clicked when I saw your name on the forensic strategy. Oh my, what a treat. And now you’re here, you naughty girl, may I remind you that last time we spoke you promised to join me for drinks while I shared details of my latest paper on ageing bloodstains.’

Kym physically bristled at the phrase ‘naughty girl’, before replying bluntly, ‘Yes, I’ve been very busy. This can be a twenty-four-seven job at times.’

‘You’re off this weekend, though, aren’t you, Kym?’ Elaine asked, all wide-eyed and innocent.

Narrowing her eyes in a disparaging look, Kym glared at Elaine. ‘Yes, well, that remains to be seen depending on what happens with this job. Shall we concentrate on the task at hand, people? This is a potential murder investigation after all, there’s no time for social niceties.’

Maya and Elaine exchanged a quick, bemused look before Elaine walked Kym through the scene and filled her in on how much they had processed so far.

‘As you can see, he hasn’t got too much in the way of personal effects.’ Elaine gesticulated with her hand and then scrolled through the images she had taken on her Nikon D300 to show Elaine and Derek what items they had already recovered from the flat.

‘It’s sparsely furnished. His bank card and mobile phone were on the kitchen table. The exhibits officer has already taken that to the digital unit to be examined. The TV in the lounge hasn’t been disturbed and there’s also a tablet and games console which hasn’t been touched, so whatever has gone on in here, robbery certainly isn’t a motive.’

Kym nodded as Maya continued.

‘There were some beer cans on the floor next to the lounge and some items of post from near the front door which could possibly contain footwear marks. A stain on the carpet next to the couch here has tested positive for blood using the Kastle-Meyer kit. An area has been swabbed for fast-tracking so we can confirm that this is Johnson’s blood.

‘Great work, ladies. Thank you for your efforts so far and for working so promptly. The lab technicians are on the way, so we’ll start the luminol treatment once they get here. I’ve brought you some cold drinks and ice lollies in a freezer bag outside, so go and get out of your scene suits and have a breather.’ Kym nodded her appreciation as she took another walk round the flat with Derek Billing hot on her heels.

Grateful for the refreshments, Maya and Elaine shucked off their scene suits and went and sat in the van.

‘She’s going to get you back for that “weekend off” comment,’ Maya said, causing Elaine to mock shudder in response. They sat and ate their ice lollies in a companionable silence before Maya asked, ‘How does the luminol treatment work?’

‘Blood is notoriously difficult to clean. Even though the stain