THE AMBULANCE CREW and two policemen arrived within ten minutes of Rosie Allen’s frantic call. After notifying dispatch of the situation, the officers broke the front door to gain entry. But the sight greeting them made it clear that the homeowner was beyond their aid, and the coroner’s office was immediately summoned to the scene.
The body was photographed where it had been found, and the surroundings carefully recorded as well, before the senior officer on scene allowed anyone to further examine or touch Stella. Once permission was granted to proceed, the coroner solemnly stepped forward to capture some preliminary data. The liver temperature reading he took indicated she’d been dead for roughly twenty-four hours. He also noticed the deep bruises around her neck, and dutifully pointed t
