The Dog and Duck pub was located on the Amblecote and Wordsley border, an interruption between the factories and the car dealerships that stretched for a good half mile. A car park sat behind the pub, the cars lined up beneath large trees that separated the space from a foundry behind.
The pub had changed identities many times over the years in an effort to stay afloat. Its latest attempt was reasonably priced light lunches with a varied vegetarian and vegan menu designed to appeal to office workers within walking distance.
Bryant managed to park behind the ambulance on the busy road. Vehicles, like pedestrians, were slowing down to see what the commotion was about as officers began the process of closing the road and erecting a cordon. More officers were heading off in both directions to begin turning the cars around. She could only imagine the level of abuse they were going to suffer.
They got out of the car and headed for the rear of the pub as a light drizzle began to fall. Keats moved aside to reveal the inert form of their victim. The first thing that struck Kim about the woman was her clothing.
‘Just wanted a nice lunch, eh?’ Keats said as she stood beside him.
But she wasn’t wearing casual attire, Kim noted as she appraised the body from head to toe.
She guessed the woman to be early twenties; she had long blonde hair that looked recently styled. Her make-up accentuated her attractive face, a face that would definitely have garnered attention upon entering the bar.
She wore a pink silk blouse that plunged to her breastbone, revealing a white lacy bra now stained with blood.
‘One wound?’ Kim asked before continuing her appraisal.
‘Appears so, but perfectly placed, just like the last one.’
The victim’s lower half was clad in jeans that appeared to have been shrunk onto her body. Her shoes were stiletto heels that would have lifted her a good four inches.
Definitely not work wear, but not out on the town wear either, Kim surmised. It said look at me, but it didn’t scream availability.
Kim continued looking and saw the reason Keats had been so sure she’d been in the pub.
In her right hand was an electronic car key.
‘Citroën,’ Keats said, nodding towards a C4 parked next to a Subaru, the only other car close by.
Kim instantly did a visual sweep of the building. There was no CCTV at the rear of the premises.
‘Great,’ she muttered under her breath.
‘You think it’s the same guy?’ Bryant asked.
Kim shrugged. ‘Not sure this woman had a lot in common with Ashley Reynolds, but who knows?’
She walked to the foot of the body and frowned.
‘Keats, you moved anything yet?’
‘Not a thing, still waiting for?—’
‘Sorry I’m late,’ Mitch said, appearing from around the corner. His protective equipment was already in his hand.
Kim crouched down to take a better look while Mitch got dressed.
Bryant crouched down beside her. ‘What’s up?’
‘See that on the edge of her bra?’
‘I see white lace and blood, guv.’
‘There’s something there,’ she said, standing.
Bryant looked closer but shook his head to indicate that he saw nothing.
‘Mitch, can you undo her blouse?’ Kim asked once the forensic techie was suited up.
