Skin Deep by Gary Braver Page A

is why we measure the liver. That means her body temp dropped a little over thirty-four degrees. The rate of algor mortis is a decrease of one point five degrees per hour…”
    Steve felt as if he were being lectured by the caterpillar in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. “My head’s spinning. What are you saying?”
    â€œI’m saying she was dead for at least twelve hours, although it would help to know if the bed was turned on massage mode, but I doubt there’s any memory in the electronics.”
    â€œLivor mortis begins within half an hour after death.”
    â€œYes. And that’s the point. If she were strangled in one position—say on her back or front—then moved to where she was found, it must have happened pretty fast since the discoloration is consistent with her position. The other unknown is why the low AC temp.”
    â€œThe temperature on Saturday was in the sixties,” Steve said.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Ottoman. “There was no reason to turn the AC all the way down.”
    â€œSo, what are you saying?”
    Ottoman grinned full teeth. “I’m saying that the killer was creating an alibi.”

7
    â€œIt still doesn’t feel right,” Neil said. “Got a sex scene without sex.”
    â€œYou’re still thinking accident?” Steve asked.
    â€œBecause I’m having trouble with someone she knows showing up for sex, strangling her instead, then setting up an asphyxia scene. It’s too much of a stretch. Plus there’s no physical evidence another person was there.”
    They were back in the squad car with Neil driving back to headquarters at One Schroeder Plaza at the corner of Ruggles and Tremont near the Northeastern University campus.
    â€œThe champagne and lights are circumstantial. Same with the ligature trauma. She could have twisted. Nylons stretch. Plus I don’t see any motive.”
    â€œThat’s what we have to work on.”
    The traffic was light at this time of the day. The plan was that Neil was going to make calls to the victim’s credit card and telephone companies plus follow-ups on neighbors of the deceased while Steve would question Farina’s colleagues at the Kingsbury Club on the North Shore.
    â€œYou seem pretty convinced.”
    Steve could hear an edge of accusation. “Because Ottoman made a convincing scenario.”
    â€œHell, you were convinced from the get-go.”
    Steve didn’t know what Neil was getting at. “Only after I looked things over.” They didn’t say anything for a while as Steve could sense Neil turning something over in his head. The rim of his ear was red and he chewed away on his stirrer.
    â€œI don’t know,” Neil finally said. “You seem to have all the answers is all.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know what I’m saying. You walk in an hour late, and one-two-three you put together a whole fucking homicide theory, and now you got the M.E. and D.A. in agreement.”
    â€œI’m not sure what’s bothering you.”
    â€œI don’t know either.” Neil rubbed his face. “Maybe I’m feeling a little put out is all. Mangini, C.S.S.—I thought we’d pretty well figured it out. Then you bring up the ligature inconsistencies.”
    Steve felt his throat begin to tighten. “Yeah?”
    â€œI don’t know. Mangini should have picked up on that. Me, too…and the lights thing. It’s just that I’m feeling like the south end of a mule.”
    â€œI get it. You’re feeling bad only because you’re an inferior criminal investigator.”
    Neil made a humphing chuckle. “Yeah, something like that.”
    â€œLook, how many hangings have you had?”
    â€œNot many.”
    â€œCourse not. You’re up in Gloucester where they throw themselves in the water. Besides Boston’s got more rope and