spattering, as I think it's crucial to the case.'Jenkins pinned up a large drawing in four parts: one showing a door with bullet marks, then three of the blood-spatter patterns at the murder scene.He took out a pen. 'The first bullets went through this door. As you can see, I've made notes of the size of the victim. He was five feet eleven. The shooter, I would say, was much smaller, maybe five seven. He fired three shots at the victim through the door. Then I think he opened the door. Now, with the door open, the shooter fires again, this time at the head and face of the victim.'Jenkins pointed to the red markings. 'As you can see, the blood spattering is exactly the height of the victim, but what is important is the way the blood has hit the wall behind him. There is a clear outline: there was someone else standing directly behind your victim. This person I would say is at least six feet three. He must have been covered with the victim's blood.'
He opened a notebook. 'We've traced footprints from the area this person would have been standing in. They face at first toward your victim, then we have six quite clear footprints in blood as he walked away from the dead man. We also traced further prints outside the premises; then they faded. The prints are from a size-eleven shoe which would be about right for a man of the height I believe him to be.'He flipped through his notes. 'We have further footprints made by a sneaker and, as you know, substantial quantities of fingerprints— significantly, a set that have powder burns taken from the ledge and the wooded slat of the rear window. As 1 said, these will all be run by the database.'Could that someone, who had accompanied Frank Brandon to the drug squat, have been involved in the murder? Or was he the reason Frank was at the drug dealers'? Back in her office after the briefing, Anna was making notes when there was a knock at her door. It was Jenkins.'I know you were onto that blood spatter,' he said as he shut the door, 'but 1 thought I should get over here to confirm it before the ritual visitation to the lab.''I'm sure we all appreciate it. I've never known anyone to come into the incident room before. I think it's very important, next to the fingerprints—almost equally so.''I was wondering if you'd like a drink one evening.'Anna was taken aback. 'Well, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other.''Are you free tonight?''Erm, I'm not sure. I think we'll be under pressure here after what you've brought in.''Do you want to give me your number and I'll call you later?'Anna hesitated. Then it sank in—he was asking her out. She laughed and shook her head, jotting down her number on a Post-it note.He stuck it against his wallet. 'Until later, then?' He gave her a grin as he walked out.She was left with a smile on her face. His invitation made her feel good; he was a nice-looking guy. She had no more time to think about it, though, as her phone rang. It was Cunningham asking her to join her in her office: David Rushton had arrived.The two were already in deep discussion when Anna joined them.'I am obviously bound by client confidentiality,' Rushton was saying. 'I'm not prepared to divulge Mrs. Brandons financial situation, other than to say that she is well provided for and has substantial savings for both herself and her children.''Now she's in line for a heavy pay out on her husband's life insurance policy,' Cunningham pointed out.'I am aware of that, as I myself arranged the life insurance for her husband.''Why?''Why? I don't really think it is any of your business.''It obviously is. Mr. Brandon has just been murdered.'Rushton paused a moment, then shrugged. 'He was working in security as a chauffeur and bodyguard. The insurance was simply a precaution in case he was injured. As it turns out, I made the right decision.''Who was he working for?''1 really don't know. All I knew is what Mr. Brandon told me. In fact, I don't think he had been given the job when we discussed the policy.'Cunningham glanced at Anna. Something wasn't right. 'So he mentioned to you that he was going for a job?''Yes, I've just said that he was hoping for some work.''But you have no idea who it was for?''No.'Cunningham sighed and doodled on her notepad.Anna leaned forward. 'What can you tell us about Mrs. Brandon's previous partner?'Rushton tensed.'You've said she was well provided for, so could you tell us who he was? I suppose we can start checking ourselves. It would be simpler, though, if you helped us a little.''They were not married.''Yes, we know that,' Anna persisted, 'but the children are his, is that correct?'Rushton chewed his lips.'Mr. Rushton, what on earth is the problem? You obviously know who he is, and you've stated that you take care of Mrs. Brandon's finances ...''The children were born two years apart, by IVF treatment. Mrs. Brandon's ex-partner is now living in Bermuda.'Cunningham looked to the ceiling. 'Terrific. Could we just have a name?''He's unlikely to ever return to this country.'Cunningham leaned back, sighing. 'His
CHAPTER 5
of Julia and her children. Anna was certain, if she was correct, that Frank Brandon must have known the identity of Julia s ex-partner. Suddenly the life insurance policy made more sense. Fitzpatrick had been able to escape detection for so many years because, according to one of the articles on the Web site, he had tipped off the USA Drug Squad with names of other dealers. If that was the truth, then plenty of people would want Fitzpatrick dead. Anna wondered if poor old Frank had paid the ultimate price for being with Julia. If so, she would need a lot more evidence, and above all, she would have to get from Frank's widow the identity of her so-called partner. She printed off the details to take home. She didn't contemplate passing on the information just yet. As it was, she was just acting on one man's name being a connection to Fitzpatrick.
