Page 104 of Eternal Obsession

“So two nights ago?”

“Approximately. With no primary crime scene and no witnesses, it’s an educated guess, I’m afraid.”

Ingrid made a notation.

“Her parents?” Ellison asked.

“Blake’s there now,” she said.

Ellison sighed. “Worst part of the job.”

Ingrid shrugged.

“Look.” Ellison pointed out to the eager crowd. “Track marks on both arms. She was into the hard stuff. Looks like she frequently mainlined. This girl moved in dangerous circles.”

“Are those what I think they are?” Ingrid leaned in to the victim’s neck area.

Ellison reexamined the four deep pinpoint puncture marks on the dead girl’s neck. “And a Goth to boot.”

Ingrid addressed the crowd again. “She’s got what appears to be vampire bite marks, so she’s possibly into role play.”

“And it looks as if it may have been a big factor in her death,” Ellison said. “From what I can tell, it looks like she’s lost a lot of blood. We’ll have more of an idea when I open her up and run a few more tests. There is a slim possibility her blood was drained from these marks. We’ll take some specimen swabs and a wound cast to see if it gives us an indication of the weapon. I doubt they’re fang marks, but they certainly look like that. I’ll keep an open mind for now. No sign of sexual abuse.”

“What instrument would you need to do this?” Ingrid asked, eyeing the punctures.

“Well perhaps . . . surgical in design, but blood clots quickly in a healthy person so it’s unlikely.”

“Is a drug addict compromised?”

“His or her clotting factor could be off, but . . .”

“Where else could she have lost the blood from if there are no other external puncture wounds other than these?”

“Time will tell. Science is our victim’s advocate,” Ellison said. “Ingrid, as soon as I have something substantial, I’ll call you.” He pushed his round-rimmed glasses back up his nose.

“I wish I hadn’t eaten that bagel now,” Ingrid said.

“I brought those in for the staff two days ago.”

She screwed up her nose.

Ellison placed his sharp knife to Gillian’s chest and cut into her pale flesh.

Ingrid was amused by Sara, who stood close by and revved a small powerful chain saw.

Two of the police officers fainted.

Back at her desk, tucked away on the uppermost floor of the Wilton Road Police Station, she finally allowed herself a moment to breathe.

Sipping on her third mug of coffee, Ingrid scanned the reports once more, readying herself for the Unit briefing.

Focusing in, she analyzed everything, from the psychologist’s early reports to the forensic files, collating data, searching for patterns, and letting her sharp intuition and quiet genius do the work.

After a late lunch at her desk, she gathered all her files and headed to the briefing room.

She didn’t like the reason the case had landed in her lap, but if ever there was a case that could make a career, this was it.

Ingrid entered the conference room and sat at the head of the long table.