Free Malicious Intent by Kathryn Fox Page A

and gloomy.’
    The reality was vastly different. Western Sydney had windows just below the ceiling to let in as much natural light as possible without attracting voyeurs.
    ‘They blackened the windows and only filmed once they’d installed the overhead spotlights. When they finished, they left the lights in place.’
    ‘Just in case you ever want to grow hydroponics,’ Anya joked.
    ‘We all know the dead have never been a priority for hospital funding,’ Jeff said, ushering Anya to the female change room. ‘I’ll get changed and meet you in the histology room.
    Sorry about the rush but I’ve got a plane to catch in a few hours. I’m presenting a paper at the Montreal conference, then the kids will join us for a holiday.’
    Organizing time off was difficult enough, Anya knew. With two pathologists from the same department in the household, joint holidays were almost impossible to arrange. No wonder Jeff seemed so excited.
    ‘Fatima Deab, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Yes.’
    In the histology lab, he bent over the computer terminal and typed in the name and identification number. ‘Microbiology is back but there’s no histology report in the file. Must be in the “to do” pile.’ He walked over to the large sliding cabinet and removed the specimens mounted on slides. ‘No rush once the coroner ruled the death routine on the basis of the initial PM report.’ He took a slide out of its cardboard container. ‘But KATHRYN FOX
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    since you’re here, we might as well look at these and put them to bed.’
    ‘Can we start with the vulva?’ she asked, taking a notebook from her briefcase.
    ‘I remember this one. On gross examination, the blisters were everywhere around the genitals. Given it was clearly an OD, we may not have noticed if she hadn’t shaved the region.’
    He peered down the microscope. ‘Okay, well, the features are typical of herpes simplex infection. There are your typical intranuclear inclusions, ballooning of cells and intra-epithelial vesicle formation.’
    ‘Much inflammation?’ Anya asked without looking up.
    ‘Relatively sparse, as you’d expect. The swab came back positive for herpes simplex type two.’
    ‘Do you remember if she had a cold sore at the time of her death?’
    She had read of women with genital herpes who denied any sexual contacts. She could only surmise that they had accidentally infected themselves by touching both the cold sore and their own genitalia.
    ‘Up to eighty percent of genital infections are caused by type two. She didn’t need to have a cold sore. And I don’t recall seeing one on her face.’
    ‘I know, but the question of sexual contact could be a problem for the family.’
    Jeff was sympathetic but always pragmatic. ‘Common things occur commonly, right? Herpes is common, adolescents commonly have sex. And if she was a drug user, her immune system was probably suppressed. You know the old adage, if it’s yellow and it quacks . . .’
    ‘Definitely no sign of sexual interference?’ she said, hoping for Fatima’s sake.
    ‘None, but you wouldn’t necessarily see any. As you know, it’s pretty unusual to see signs of trauma even after a rape.’ He looked across at Anya. ‘Don’t tell me the family want proof she was a virgin?’

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    MALICIOUS INTENT
    ‘I’m sure they would if there was a way of proving it. What about Hep B and C, or HIV?’
    ‘All negative. We ran them before the postmortem.’ Jeff removed the slide and replaced it in its protective case. ‘What’s next?’
    ‘Well, the rest is likely to be normal, but –’
    ‘I know, for thoroughness, let’s go through them.’ He sat reviewing the slides of blood, heart and brain. As he continued reporting, Alf Carney, the acting director, entered the room.
    ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ he demanded.
    Jeff stood up to introduce Anya, but was quickly interrupted.
    ‘I know who she is. What does she think she’s doing here, behind my back?’
    ‘Excuse me? I’m not