Page 92 of Dissection of a Murder
“In the sense that he willingly came with us, yes. Beyond that, no.”
“One last thing, DCI Brady. You said in your statement—completed within twenty-four hours of the alleged offense—that you were hit by the very faint smell of women’s perfume in Mr. Millman’s bedroom. Is this correct?”
“Yes.”
“But you didn’t mention this in your evidence just now, did you?”
“It was more of a general observation of the crime scene, really. I didn’t think it carried much significance.”
“Didn’t you?” I ask. “Why not?”
“The evidence against Mr. Millman is sufficient.”
“Well, that’s not for you to decide. That is a matter for this jury. Tell me, DCI Brady, was this an open-and-shut case for you?”
I’m pushing it, I know. My eyes flick toward the judge, and hers to mine. Julian shuffles out of the corner of my eye.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“It’s a very high-profile case, isn’t it? Cases such as these can’t be left sizzling in the background for too long. People want progress and a conviction. It’s almost too good to be true that the murderer was caught sitting right beside the victim as he lay dying.”
“Miss Reynolds,” the judge cautions. I need to be careful here.
“Did you investigate all lines of inquiry in this case?”
“Our methods are thorough, especially when a life has been taken. We want to ensure justice prevails for the victim and the victim’s family.”
“Did it ever cross your mind that there may have been someone else there that night?”
Silence grips the courtroom.
“The defendant was at the scene when we arrived and refused to answer all questions put to him.”
“Let me phrase the question another way. Was there any evidence at the scene to suggest anyone else had been in the flat? Any at all?”
He pauses before answering, glaring at me from the box. The air is tense.
“It would be speculative, at best.”
“Could the jury please turn to tab two in the jury bundles?” I ask. After a few seconds of shuffling about, everyone is presented with photographs of a mixture of cocktail and beer glasses. Not ordinary ones, but the kind of fancy, ornate ones you get in Temptation for thirteen pounds a pop. Some are empty, but for a few dregs lounging in the bottom. Others contain unfinished drinks.
“DCI Brady, can you explain to the jury what these are?”
“Exhibits found at the scene of the murder. I really don’t see…”
He’s getting flustered. Shaking his head, he has no way to explain why this wasn’t investigated.
“There are five in total. They have been photographed where they were found in the flat. Do you recall seeing them there?”
“I do, yes.”
“Where were they?”
“All except one were scattered around the living room. One was in the bedroom.”
“You’ll see from the photographs that two of the glasses have lipstick marks on the rim. Do you see that?”
“Yes.”
