I experienced that initial reaction all over again now as the doctor turned on the electric and then proceeded to the table where Amelia Mainwaring’s body lay.
Perhaps it was the sight of her, so young, a reminder of my sister’s maid and the fear then that I might find my sister the same way along with the sadness I felt at a life so young, and cruelly ended.
For his part, there was that professional detachment as Brodie slowly circled the table, making his own observations as he asked questions of Dr. Fielding.
“What have ye determined as to the manner of death?” he asked as I took out my notebook and fountain pen.
“It appears that strangulation was the cause,” Dr. Fielding announced. “There is obvious bruising about the neck. Some hours had obviously passed afterward. Rigor mortis had fully set in.” Dr. Fielding looked over at me at the scratching of my pen across paper.
“Rigor mortis is…” he started to explain, no doubt for my benefit.
“The stiffening of muscles and joints after death due to chemical changes in the body. It is said to occur between one and four days after death,” I replied, citing what Mr. Brimley had once explained about the condition of a body.
“And since Miss Mainwaring disappeared day before last, and was alive at the time, it would seem that the body was discovered no more than twelve hours after death.” I caught the amused expression on Brodie’s face.
“Quite so,” Dr. Fielding commented with obvious surprise.
“What about the fact that she had obviously been positioned in that particular manner, much like in death photos,” I asked. “Is it possible she was attacked at another location and then placed there?”
“Residue on the clothing might suggest where the incident occurred,” Brodie said, more to himself and I made a note of it.
Unless of course, she was in the habit of wearing black when out and about. I had noticed it immediately when the lights were turned on. It seemed that the Mainwaring family had provided clothes appropriate to the situation.
“The garments she was found in were removed upon arrival of the body,” Dr. Fielding stiffly replied. “The family has provided these garments for the period of formal mourning.”
“It would be helpful to have the other items,” I tactfully commented. “In the interest of providing Sir John and Lady Mainwaring with answers in such a dreadful situation,” I added.
“It’s possible they are still within the hospital, although clothing is usually disposed of to avoid the spreading of disease,” he replied.
That hardly seemed likely of the present situation, I thought, but didn’t say it.
“I’m certain Sir John would appreciate yer assistance in the matter,” Brodie said then, quite direct.
“I will ask the attendant,” I interjected.
“That won’t be necessary,” Dr. Fielding informed me. “I will make the request. If there is anything you need in my absence, please make note of it.”
With that he left the room.
“What is it?” I immediately asked Brodie, having recognized a sudden change in his expression as he carefully moved the collar of the young woman’s gown to better inspect her neck.
“There are faint bruises, however nothing to indicate that she struggled when she was attacked,” he commented.
I remembered the bruising that I had seen about Mary Ryan’s neck when she was found. It had been substantial. However, there were very few bruises present in this case.
“The natural instinct would be to fight back when a person is attacked,” he commented. He then gently turned the young woman’s head in the opposite direction to inspect the other side of her neck.
“The bruising would be far more as she struggled and there would be other indications.”
“Her fingernails?” I suggested.
“Precisely,” Brodie replied as he then lifted one hand and then the other and inspected the nails on the fingers.
Dr. Fielding abruptly returned. “An attendant is making inquiries into the state of the victim's garments, whether or not they have been disposed of,” he assured Brodie, ignoring me as if I was nothing more than a spot on the wall.
“Was there any residue beneath the nails when the body arrived?” Brodie asked. “Or any indication of assault of a personal nature?”
“Out of respect for the family, there didn’t seem to be any call for that sort of information that would only cause more distress and grief…” Dr. Fielding started to protest.
