DR SAM DALLY RUBBED his fleshy chin and observed, ‘Suffocation, I believe.’ He lifted one of Sophia Egerton’s eyelids. ‘See the petechiae in the eyes? That’s tiny ruptured blood vessels to you, Rafferty.’
Rafferty nodded. ‘I know what petechiae are, even if I can’t spell ‘em. I can even recognise a stiff when I see one. Gold star called for. Someone was intent on making sure the old lady didn’t get to celebrate her 91st birthday, that’s for sure. Sad. ’Ain’t family love a wonderful thing?’
‘Definitely one of the family?’ asked Dally.
‘Apart from the housekeeper and her husband, they were the only ones in the house.’
‘What? No friends? For a ninetieth birthday?’
‘Seems not. Apparently, the old lady didn’t want a fuss. Didn’t even want a party until her grandsons just went ahead and org
