To say that I was upset would be the biggest understatement of the year. In front of me lay a dead body which belonged to a victim, who, if alive, could have passed for me. Was this coincidence- or a case of, God forbid, mistaken identity?
Evidently my distress was written plainly on my face, as Lestrade ventured to break the silence. "Dr. Watson? Should I page Dr. Anderson?"
I couldn't tell if Lestrade was concerned- or sarcastic in an I-told-you-so way. My reputation as a rough-and-tough ME was at stake. Pull together, I reprimanded myself. Don't lose it now- especially not in front of Lestrade- or that cute friend of his.
"No, I'll be fine." I hoped my voice didn't betray my apprehension.
I began the initial examination of the body, making notes as I went, to determine the approximate time of death- and whether a full autopsy was needed. Lestrade's cell phone rang, interrupting the silence. When Lestrade left the room, Holmes approached the table without a word, following my every move with his hawk eyes. It was as if he was playing the role of the medical examiner, trying to determine the manner and cause of death.
"So are you a new detective? I haven't seen you around before." In an attempt to get my mind off of the similarity of the victim's face to mine, I tried to lighten the mood as I methodically checked the skin for any sign of external injuries.
Holmes laughed sardonically but did not answer my question. "How do you think she died, doctor?" It was as if he was testing me.
I wasn't sure I enjoyed having my skills challenged all night long- first by Lestrade, then by Holmes. However, before I could reply, Lestrade practically skipped into the room. "Doctor, you don't have to do the autopsy," he proudly announced.
Holmes continued to inspect the body as I turned to look at Lestrade. "What do you mean?" I asked.
Lestrade removed his face mask, grinning. "This was definitely a suicide. I just got off the phone with her psychiatrist. The woman had been seeing him for two years now for depression and had previously attempted suicide twice in the last year- by slicing her wrists. So this time she succeeded. And those razors we found next to her- I'll bet anything that it'll be her blood when we get it back from the lab. And look at these-" he pointed to the numerous cuts on the woman's wrists- "that's an open and shut case if I ever had one." He looked at us for validation.
Holmes's face was expressionless. "Interesting theory, Lestrade." He turned to me. "Do you agree, doctor?"
I took a deep breath. "From the initial examination that I've done so far, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you, detective. I think that we need to do a full autopsy, which I can schedule for tomorrow."
Holmes' eyes lit up. "Why do you think so, doctor?" he pressed.
On the other hand, Lestrade was clearly annoyed. "Yes, please enlighten us with your expertise."
"Well, I don't disagree with her previous psychiatric history. There is evidence that she has cut her wrists before. They have healed over, see?" My admission seemed to placate Lestrade a bit.
I continued. "However, there's a line pattern of bruising- a few burst blood vessels- along both wrists that is inconsistent with simple wrist cutting. I also found a similar pattern around her ankles. It could be rope burn- the bruising could be a result of a struggle."
Lestrade was not about to be defeated so easily. "Yes, doctor, she also could've had a kinky boyfriend. But how do you explain the bloodstains we found on the floor by her wrists? And the razors and pills? Dr. Watson, you were not at the scene. Sometimes things are exactly what they appear to be."
He had a point. "I would still like to conduct the autopsy," I stated, simply to spite him.
Lestrade waved me off. "If you want to waste the time, go ahead. As for me, I'm heading back to the station. Let me know if you find anything… interesting." He turned to leave.
"On the contrary, I think the doctor is on the right track." Holmes coolly interjected,
stopping Lestrade in his tracks.
AN:Thanks to snowwolf for her support! Please R/R, thanks!