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Book: Black Flagged (The Black Flagged Technothriller Series) by Steven Konkoly
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Authors: Steven Konkoly
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used them before when other assets weren't available. This isn't the most complicated murder, but I understand the importance of this case," she said, and Edwards highly doubted she truly understood the implications.
"We'll have our own team talk to the locals that processed the body, then they'll take a quick look together. Looks pretty straightforward. The key here will be finding something to lead us back to the killer. Frankly, I'm not very hopeful."
"Aside from massive blood loss," he continued, tracing the wide swath of dried blood back to the circular drive, "what is the initial assessment for cause of death?"
"Mr. Ghani has a deep penetration wound at the front of his neck, slightly to the right, which severed his carotid artery. Anthony Boudreau, the forensics chief, said the wound indicated the work of a professional…possibly a sick one," she said.
"What did he mean by that?" Edwards said.
"Boudreau said the killer held the knife deep inside Ghani and scrambled things up pretty bad. He couldn't tell how big of a blade, but based on the tearing around the neck, he's pretty sure the killer fished it around for a while, which he thought was unusual," D'Angelo said.
"Boudreau has a lot of experience with cuts like this?" he said, not convinced that a Portland, Maine, based forensics guy would have the extensive experience to make this kind of assessment.
"He worked forensics in New York City for twenty-three years," she commented and paused. "Said the knife attack resembled one of several used by commandos or special forces to instantly disable sentries, but that this particular method was not typically their first choice. He said the most common surprise knife attack put the blade through the back of the victim's neck, high up near the skull, which instantly severed the spinal cord at its highest point. Instant shutdown. Scrambled the brain, too, if the knife passed into the skull."
"Sounds wonderful. What's wrong with Mr. Ghani's wound?"
"Nothing, really. This cut kills just as effectively, but doesn't always sever the spinal cord. If it does, the cord is cut below the entry wound. It's an extremely painful death, if the shock doesn't kill you instantly. Boudreau said the Russian Spetsnaz specialized in this one. He also thinks this one twisted the knife around more than necessary. I wouldn't want to run into the person that pulled this off," she finished.
"Unfortunately, that's exactly what we need to do," he said.
"I'm going to familiarize myself with the grounds. If you could have the forensics teams start to look at potential seaside approaches, I can send a comprehensive initial report as soon as my team takes a quick look around," he said.
"Do you want me to introduce you to some of the key players on the local force?" she asked.
"That's all right. I'd rather you handled them. If I need anything, I'll go through you," he said, hoping she didn't press the issue.
He hated dealing with the local cops. Absently shaking hands with everyone who had a horse in the race, even if their horse had no chance of winning. He'd have to make pleasantries with Cape Elizabeth's police chief, and hear about how officer "whoever" responded to the call and made sure to preserve the scene. He'd then commit his entire police force of ten officers to help Edwards in any way possible. Please. Same thing for several other towns and two counties, finally graduating to the Portland Police Department, the only people he slightly cared to interact with. He preferred to remain aloof, which would generate more respect in the long run. Plus, he could make D'Angelo feel important, and foster her relationship with the people she'd need to work with long after he departed.
"Okay…let me know if you need anything. I'll be talking with Boudreau," she said and stepped away.
He watched her walk away, and his eyes were drawn to the front gate of the estate. He watched two women jog by the entrance along Shore Road, slowing as they
"We'll have our own team talk to the locals that processed the body, then they'll take a quick look together. Looks pretty straightforward. The key here will be finding something to lead us back to the killer. Frankly, I'm not very hopeful."
"Aside from massive blood loss," he continued, tracing the wide swath of dried blood back to the circular drive, "what is the initial assessment for cause of death?"
"Mr. Ghani has a deep penetration wound at the front of his neck, slightly to the right, which severed his carotid artery. Anthony Boudreau, the forensics chief, said the wound indicated the work of a professional…possibly a sick one," she said.
"What did he mean by that?" Edwards said.
"Boudreau said the killer held the knife deep inside Ghani and scrambled things up pretty bad. He couldn't tell how big of a blade, but based on the tearing around the neck, he's pretty sure the killer fished it around for a while, which he thought was unusual," D'Angelo said.
"Boudreau has a lot of experience with cuts like this?" he said, not convinced that a Portland, Maine, based forensics guy would have the extensive experience to make this kind of assessment.
"He worked forensics in New York City for twenty-three years," she commented and paused. "Said the knife attack resembled one of several used by commandos or special forces to instantly disable sentries, but that this particular method was not typically their first choice. He said the most common surprise knife attack put the blade through the back of the victim's neck, high up near the skull, which instantly severed the spinal cord at its highest point. Instant shutdown. Scrambled the brain, too, if the knife passed into the skull."
"Sounds wonderful. What's wrong with Mr. Ghani's wound?"
"Nothing, really. This cut kills just as effectively, but doesn't always sever the spinal cord. If it does, the cord is cut below the entry wound. It's an extremely painful death, if the shock doesn't kill you instantly. Boudreau said the Russian Spetsnaz specialized in this one. He also thinks this one twisted the knife around more than necessary. I wouldn't want to run into the person that pulled this off," she finished.
"Unfortunately, that's exactly what we need to do," he said.
"I'm going to familiarize myself with the grounds. If you could have the forensics teams start to look at potential seaside approaches, I can send a comprehensive initial report as soon as my team takes a quick look around," he said.
"Do you want me to introduce you to some of the key players on the local force?" she asked.
"That's all right. I'd rather you handled them. If I need anything, I'll go through you," he said, hoping she didn't press the issue.
He hated dealing with the local cops. Absently shaking hands with everyone who had a horse in the race, even if their horse had no chance of winning. He'd have to make pleasantries with Cape Elizabeth's police chief, and hear about how officer "whoever" responded to the call and made sure to preserve the scene. He'd then commit his entire police force of ten officers to help Edwards in any way possible. Please. Same thing for several other towns and two counties, finally graduating to the Portland Police Department, the only people he slightly cared to interact with. He preferred to remain aloof, which would generate more respect in the long run. Plus, he could make D'Angelo feel important, and foster her relationship with the people she'd need to work with long after he departed.
"Okay…let me know if you need anything. I'll be talking with Boudreau," she said and stepped away.
He watched her walk away, and his eyes were drawn to the front gate of the estate. He watched two women jog by the entrance along Shore Road, slowing as they
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