Free Aftermath by Casey Hill Page B

fighting for his life the ICU.
    What's wrong with our police force? Still no suspects? No leads? And, perhaps most unforgivably, not a single statement to the press. With me on Dublin FM this morning to discuss the force’s inability to zero in on a culprit in this captivating crime story, we have on the line forensic scientist Phil Palette from New York City's CSI. Hello there Phil. How's Gary Sinise?"
    "Thanks for having me on the show, Martin."
    "Well, you know the background on this one, I’m sure. Our former rugby captain brought to his knees by some vicious thug, and twenty-four hours later, still not a suspect to be found. Sounds like our lads could use your help!"
    “Well, Martin, as you know, this is a critical period in any investigation..."
    "That's right; all bets are off once the first forty-eight hours are up, isn’t it? See listeners, I’ve watched the shows, I know my stuff!”
    "In truth, that's a bit of a myth, Martin, but yes, the sooner the investigators get to grips with the physical evidence, the better. Especially when there’s a perpetrator out there on the loose."
    "So why don't they have anyone yet?"
    "My understanding of the situation is that the investigative team will want to play their cards close to their chest. Especially as this is such a high-profile case which, given the parties involved, has an unprecedented amount of public interest. They may well have sensitive information that they don't want made public - or anything that could spook the suspect or tarnish their investigation."
    “So tell us what usually happens in a situation like this, from a CSI point of view. Actually, Phil did you know our GFU here is fronted by glamor-puss Reilly Steel, actually one of your own?”
    “I did know that, and you’re in good hands, though I’m not sure she’d appreciate that description, Martin. Well, as per protocol the team would by now have collected forensic evidence from the Morrison house, and started to process it in the lab. In the case of a robbery gone wrong like this there will be any number of items to analyze, footprints, finger prints, blood spatter patterns as well as a multitude of trace evidence. The forensics team will be reviewing information about Mr Morrison’s injuries from the hospital, all the while working alongside the homicide detectives, throwing out possibilities and directing interviews with potential suspects based on the evidence found.”
    "So when Gary Sinise goes to these crime scenes he's always pulling out his fancy equipment, looking at things under fluorescent light? Does Reilly Steel do that too?"
    "I imagine your GFU is equipped with all of the standard investigating equipment, Martin. And I'm sure the team are working round the clock to assist the detectives in finding the weapon and the perpetrator.”
    "With your trained eye, Phil, can you tell us who you think might have dunnit?"
    “Impossible for me to say without direct involvement in the investigation though, initial reports suggest that the attack was prompted by the interruption of a burglary in progress. But if Mr. Morrison was stabbed in the way the press report … well, I must admit it sounds personal to me. Stabbings are a very personal crime, and to my mind, a spooked burglar is more likely to make a few quick slashes and then run off, than remain at the scene to inflict a sharp force wound in such a location. A miracle the victim survived, actually."
    “Well, in this country we all know what a colossus our Josh is. You can’t keep a man like that down. So you think it might be someone with a grudge? Someone jealous of his stellar career, fame and millions, not to mention gorgeous wife?”
    “That’s what the detectives will be trying to figure out, Martin. Let's all just hope that the man himself wakes up and can tell us exactly what happened."

19
     
     
    U sually home was a haven . Reilly loved her Ranelagh flat. It was on a quiet street of beautiful red-brick Victorian