Chapter 9

William decided Dr Grace and Miss Moss acquitted themselves very well in the jewelry theft investigation, when it was all said and done. His opinion of Miss Moss rose further when he learned she had gone to school for engineering. He wondered briefly why she did not continue to pursue it if it was her passion.

William was finishing up to leave for the day when Dr Grace asked him to come to the morgue. The coroner's apron was smudged with black soot and other material, and her hair was coming out of its pins. This time her skirt and white blouse escaped without being soiled. The pong of burned flesh in the closed room was high. Dr Grace appeared not to notice, so William pretended not to either.

"Detective, I think I have something." She reached over to the first gurney and pulled back part of the sheet and stood on the other side of the corpse to give her dissertation, as if she was a student and he was her don at University. "I judge this man to be at least 60 to 70 years of age. His dental work indicates eastern European origins. As you can see, the man's body has a distinctive curve to his neck and back, that does not appear to be congenital. This is commonly found in individuals who have labored by bending forward doing close work, occupational markers if you will, of someone who worked doing fine hand work for many years. You may see this in tailors, jewelers, goldsmiths and the like, particularly in occupations with long apprenticeships." She waited for him to make his own observations before proceeding. She uncovered his hands. "His hands have a fine structure for that kind of work—long fingers, strong, with what appears to be small burn and puncture scars, consistent with a jeweler, for instance. His hands were this well preserved because they were under his body when the fire started."

William leaned in to see them with the magnifying glass she offered him. "Is this what you wanted to show me?" he asked, pointing to the discoloration on the fingers and palms of both hands.

"Yes. That is ink, more than one kind, I'd wager, and not very soluble. I will know more when I have run more analyses. "The other man is younger, perhaps 40 years of age and so similar in build I would guess them to be related or at least ethnically similar, with less of the back curvature but a similar amount of stain on his hands. The fire did not destroy as much physical evidence on the bodies as I originally thought. The men were adequately fed and there was no evidence of disease. There were not intoxicated. The remains of their clothing was similar, woolen trousers, shirt and jackets, but nothing you would see on the better class of people, more likely on someone who just arrived from the continent in steerage. There was no identification on the bodies and no items that are traceable. Their faces were crushed by some of the falling debris, but not obliterated, so I may be able to reconstruct their likenesses, given enough time," she offered.

"And the cause of death, doctor?" he asked.

"They were both quite dead when the building was set on fire, as there was no trace of soot or burn in the lungs. I do not believe they were squatters or vagrants because their general health was good, so perhaps the scene was staged to look that way. As I surmised, the cause of death was a single blow to the head with a blunt object, likely a length of pipe or other similar object. Unfortunately I can find no trace in the wound. Between the fire, Kerosene as we expected, and the water to put it out…" she shrugged. "But I did find these." She showed him the small glass vial of trace evidence, and handed it over to him. "I used a magnet to retrieve this. It was particularly on their jackets and trousers."

He took the material and peered at it. "Iron, or steel?" he questioned, as he put it his pocket.

"Someone thought they could burn away relevant evidence or bury the crime as squatters setting the fire. But they were mistaken, thanks to you, doctor." William complimented her with a grim smile. The information about the bodies is all I need. Thank you again, Dr Grace. If you can confirm the staining on the hands?" he asked and she nodded. "There is no need for undue haste, and I assume you want to go home yourself after a long day."

"I have something I need to do before going home," she said. He said goodnight and took his leave of her. Looking at the time, he was pleased to see he could get home a little early himself tonight.

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William asked Julia for a pre-dinner walk, and meandered over to the Diana White crime scene with her in tow. William shared the details of the jewelry case with his wife and his approval of Miss Moss and Dr Grace's undertaking. He enjoyed sorting out conundrums with Julia, and in the process this evening, found a new piece of evidence. The two of them walked to the station house to deposit the evidence and then took a carriage to their hotel.

Before this week Julia had not yet discussed with William how he planned to vote in the upcoming election. The conversation in the carriage went about the way she expected.

"Julia, I cannot vote for someone unless I know their views and their platform. And besides, the whole point of the secret ballot, is well, secrecy." He told her. "I plan to vote my conscience."

"Fine," she said. "I assume that means you will be going with me then to her speeches to satisfy your curiosity and be able to make an informed decision?" She smiled innocently at the face he made. Having boxed him in, he could only agree.

You are not the only one who plays chess, William…. She told him there would be a meeting at their suite Sunday afternoon that should be over by supper time.