100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 132: Anatomy of a Crime Scene

Restaurant, 62 Warner Close, London

Sam wasn’t ecstatic to learn that Elle had agreed on her behalf, to a Favor one of her colleagues asked her to do. A favour that consisted of her, giving a 3-day crash course on Forensic Pathology.

She’d done a number of seminars, but she had never let anyone invade her space in the Lab, the Morgue and most definitely the Crime scene. She had ten students, from different parts of the World who were considered to possess remarkable potential by their respective Universities. Though unhappy with the set-up, Sam taught them a few tricks, she’d learnt throughout the years.

On the first day, she taught them the basics in the Lab, the Do’s and Don’ts. Etcetera.

The second day consisted of an actual autopsy of a dead body. All were eager to listen and learn, but that only reminded her of her previous Assistant, Clark. No, Baxter.

On the last day, she decided to bring them to an actual crime scene. Something she truly dreaded, but with a few strings and friends in Criminal Investigation Department, namely Davies and Jones, her ’students’ were allowed in.

All ten were dressed in full protective gear, notepad in hand, Jones was more than happy to be a know-it-all and shared some ’wisdom’ with the ’kids’, as he adoringly addressed them. He was even gracious enough to have them teamed up with his team of professionals and be there to experience it hands-on.

Levi waltzed in the crime scene, and he frowned visibly when he noticed it was more crowded than usual. He recalled Davies’s text message minutes before, about some of Sam’s students in the scene like some field trip; he scoffed at that. Sam mentioned it to him, a few days back. And upon his ’scan’, they were worse than he imagined, no wonder Sam basically sent them to Jones---based on their level of intelligence. But as long as they don’t get in his way and they know how to shut their mouths, he can work with them.

One of the student’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of him, "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, earning everyone’s attention, and more so Levi who narrowed his eyes at her. He knew she must’ve recognized him, and he wondered quietly if he had now an international reputation; based on the woman’s accent, she was American.

Other students gawked at Levi, and some of them even dared blush in his presence. Marco rolled his eyes, watching the whole scene as he followed behind his best friend.

Sam observed as her students fawned over Levi’s presence, it was an amusing sight. "Shut your mouths; I don’t have the energy to pretend to like you today." Levi spat walking in, causing Sam’s lips to curve up amused. Marco smiled politely to the new young faces, somewhat embarrassed by Levi’s rude conduct. He spilt some tea on his suit early that morning, resulting in his foul mood.

Marco moved towards Sam, who was sipping her coffee in the corner, "How’s it been like?" he whispered to her, "So glad this is the last day. I could finally do some actual work." She whispered back. While Levi moved across the crime scene doing his thing.

Marco watched the redhead in his periphery, like everyone, she observed the Irishman. The bearded man had a feeling that she was oblivious of how she looked while watching the Irishman work. Ignorant, that the way she looked at him, was not the same way she looked at everybody else. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Marco knows the fact about the kiss between the two geniuses, that to them; it was a simple ’solution to a problem’. If the press was so intrigued about their relationship, the only way for them to stop bugging them about it is to provide them with an answer.

And the answer they want to hear is one that will make the rating sky-rocket. Be it a lie, be it fiction, the two provided it. And it worked perfectly. The enigma that is their relationship to the World is ’revealed.’

So they answered the press, ’admit’ that they are dating. And they are very happy together. After a while seeing them together is no brainer. No photos, no nothing whatsoever.

Result: problem solved; back to business.

Like they anticipated.

...

The crime scene was a posh restaurant with maroon rugs, high walls, one that overcharges salads and a glass of water. The kind that the general public will only be able to eat in on special occasions, maybe a promotion or an engagement.

The victim was a woman named Katherine Elba, 32 years old, business partner, and was found dead 2 hours ago in the Manager’s office. No visible wounds were found, and rigour Mortis hasn’t set yet. The sous chef Megan was the one that found her.

Davies followed behind Levi, explaining to him the case.

"Megan Downey, the sous chef, found the victim and called an ambulance after finding her unconscious on the floor. Unfortunately, she was already dead, that’s why we were called. It seems like she’s been poisoned." Davies explained, a hand in his pocket.

"Rest of the crew are still here, they just opened the restaurant for the first time, and we’re celebrating with the crew and a few guests, and someone is murdered", Davies added.

"Not good for business", Levi commented, looking at the whole place.

Sam watched him move around the scene, every movement precise and with purpose. She had seen him do that a number of times, it’s quite fascinating she quietly admits. How his eyes scanned every inch, every corner, every crevice. His ability to identify what’s important to what’s not, he was the only person she knows that was capable of that. She could just tell his mind was working at top speed to form the most logical conclusion on every scenario.

How he would tilt his head slightly to one side, gave him the perfect balance, of mysterious and smart.

His eyes would shift to the right--when he’d formed a conclusion. And how she was confident that he could provide her with an accurate measurement of the distance from the restaurant entrance to the office, with one initial walkthrough.

She had known him for quite some time, that she probably had his facial expressions memorized--literally, that she could tell what emotions were going through him. In a way, she can read what’s in his mind.

And probably her favourite expression of all is when he’s testing a theory. Like he was doing then, brows aligned together in deep concentration, his eyes would dilate, and his lips would relax, yet there’s tension in his jaw most people can’t recognize.

And when he does find the answer. His brow would raise just slightly, and his lips would part, and the tension on the corners of his mouth would turn into a relaxed curve. Turning into a smile. A real smile so subtle no one can see, but her. And so fast that it vanishes as if it was never there. But Sam sees it, all the micro-expressions playing on his face, the emotions hiding beneath. Unseen to the World.

And that smile would echo on her face, just lightly enough that her lips would curve up on one side. She does like to see him happy, and as morbid as it is, what makes Levi Jackson happy is solving murders.

Levi circled the body, with his gloved hand, he inspected her clothing. Checked each pocket and used his sense of smell for anything amiss.

"She had what everybody had, and she’s the only one that died. It doesn’t make sense." Davies said, baffled. "Indeed." Levi mused as he circled the body, looking down at it for one final look.

After he stepped away and checked every corner of the room, Sam and Marco followed behind him as he made his way towards the office lounge. The slicked blond stopped on the smudge on the table and leather couch in the corner of the room. He fished a portable magnifying glass in his breast pocket and used it on a dried substance on the surface. With his gloved hand, he felt its texture, and he frowned, not able to identify it. He wondered what it was; it was too sticky in Consistency for a spilt beverage.

Sam watched in great amusement, and she stifled a laugh, earning a look from Marco. She knew what it was, and the pattern she was able to identify quickly enough.

Marco mouthed, "What?" at her, but the redhead shook her head and said, "Nothing." And proceeded to take a sip from her cup of coffee.

Levi turned to the two standing by the door, watching him.

"Do you smell that?" he asked, wondering what the scent was, he could smell faint cooking spices all around, something not unusual since they were near the kitchen. But he can’t pinpoint what scent on the table and couch was. It was oddly familiar, but he can’t recall what it is.