Death of an Expert Witness Read Online Free PDF

Anglia as it was elsewhere. There was the mortgage to pay and the electricity bill for the central heating --they couldn't economize there because of Debbie needing warmth--and the hire-purchase on the bedroom suite to find. Even the nursery furniture wasn't paid for yet. She had wanted everything nice and new for Debbie, but it had taken all their remaining savings. She said:
    "Couldn't you apply to Establishment Department for a transfer?"
    The despair in his voice tore at her heart. "No one will want me if Lorrimer says I'm no good. He's probably the best forensic biologist in the service. If he thinks I'm useless, then I'm useless."
    It was this, too, which she was beginning to find irritating, the obsequious respect of the victim for his oppressor. Sometimes, appalled by her disloyalty, she could begin to understand Dr.
    Lorrimer's contempt. She said:
    "Why not have a word with the director?"
    "I might have done if Dr. Mac was still there. But Howarth wouldn't care. He's new. He doesn't want any trouble with the senior staff, particularly now when we're getting ready to move into the new Lab."
    And then she thought of Mr. Middlemass. He was the Principal Scientific Officer Document Examiner, and she had worked for him as a young S.O. before her marriage. It was at Hoggatt's Laboratory that she had met Cliff. Perhaps he could do something, could speak to Howarth for them, could use his influence with Estabs. She wasn't sure how she expected him to help, but the need to confide in someone was overwhelming. They couldn't go on like this. Cliff would have a break down. And how would she manage with the baby and Cliff ill and the future uncertain? But surely Mr. Middlemass could do something. She believed in him because she needed to believe. She looked across at Cliff.
    "Don't worry, darling, it's going to be all right. We're going to think of something. You go in today and we'll talk about it in the evening."
    "How can we? Your mother's coming to supper."
    "After supper then. She'll be catching the quarter to eight bus. We'll talk then."
    "I can't go on like this, Sue."
    "You won't have to. I'll think of something. It's going to be all right. I promise you, darling. It's going to be all right."
    "Mum, did you know that every human being is unique?"
    "Of course I did. It stands to reason, doesn't it? There's only one of every person. You're you. I'm me. Pass your Dad the marmalade and keep your sleeves out of that butter."
    Brenda Pridmore, recently appointed Clerical Officer/receptionist at Hoggatt's Laboratory, pushed the marmalade across the breakfast table and began methodically slicing thin strips from the white of her fried egg, postponing, as she had from early childhood, that cataclysmic moment when she would plunge the fork into the glistening yellow dome.
    But indulgence in this small personal ritual was almost automatic. Her mind was preoccupied with the excitements and discoveries of her wonderful first job.
    "I mean biologically unique. Inspector Blakelock, he's the Assistant Police Liaison Officer, told me that every human being has a unique fingerprint and no two types of blood are exactly the same. If the scientists had enough systems they could distinguish them all, the blood types I mean. He thinks that day may come in time. The forensic serologist will be able to say with certainty where the blood came from, even with a dried stain. It's dried blood that's difficult. If that blood is fresh we can do far more with it."
    "Funny job you've got yourself." Mrs. Pridmore refilled the teapot from the kettle on the Aga hob and eased herself back into her chair.
    The farmhouse kitchen, its flowered cretonne curtains still undrawn was warm and cosily domestic, smelling of toast, fried bacon and hot strong tea.
    "I don't know that I like the idea of you checking in bits of body and bloodstained clothes. I hope you wash your hands properly before you come home."
    "Oh Mum, it's not like that! The exhibits all arrive in