To: The Director of Forensic Investigations
Subject: Request for Special Permission to Involve Dr. Lavine Dorothy in a Critical Case Examination
Date: 14 July, 2024
Dear Director Matthew Alexander Gray
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally request your authorization to involve Dr. Lavine Dorothy, a renowned toxicology forensic expert, in a critical case that has come to our department's attention.
Over the past several weeks, our team has encountered three unexplained deaths that bear striking similarities to a cold case from ten years ago. The victims—two sisters and a man named Mark—were all found deceased without any apparent signs of trauma or disease. However, a faint, metallic garlic-like odor was detected at each scene, which matches the peculiar detail noted in the decade-old case involving a 57-year-old laboratory assistant named Robert. This olfactory clue, though subtle, may be pivotal in uncovering the true cause of these mysterious deaths.
Given the similarities and the unusual nature of the evidence, it is imperative that we employ advanced forensic techniques to analyze the remains. Dr. Dorothy has recommended the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), specifically a Tandem Mass Spectrometry analysis, to identify any trace toxins or substances that might have eluded previous examinations. This method, while highly sensitive and precise, requires expertise that Dr. Dorothy is uniquely qualified to provide.
Therefore, I respectfully request your approval to bring Dr. Dorothy on board for this case. Her involvement will greatly enhance our ability to solve these cases swiftly and accurately, bringing justice to the deceased and closure to their families.
Thank you for considering this request. I am confident that with Dr. Dorothy's expertise, we can uncover the truth behind these enigmatic deaths.
Yours sincerely,
Detective Sarah Blake
Soon Sarah received the response she was waiting for eagerly within few hours after sending out her proposal letter…
she tore open the letter that read as follow…
To: Detective Sarah Blake
Subject: Authorization for Special Investigation Methods**
Date: 14 July, 2024
Detective Blake,
After careful consideration and in light of the urgency surrounding the ongoing investigation, I am pleased to inform you that your request has been approved. You are hereby granted full authorization to utilize all available forensic methods and resources within our jurisdiction to expedite the resolution of this case.
This case has garnered significant attention, and there is widespread concern regarding its potential impact on public perception, particularly in relation to the upcoming mayoral elections. As such, it is imperative that this matter is handled with the utmost efficiency and discretion.
Please ensure that all findings and developments are reported directly to my office. The swift and successful resolution of this case is of paramount importance, not only for the victims' families but also for maintaining public trust in our institutions.
Proceed with the investigation as you see fit, and keep me informed of your progress.
Best regards,
Mathew Alexender Gray
Director of Forensic Investigations
The very next day, Sarah Blake stood in the dimly lit forensic lab, her body enveloped in the sterile protection of a forensic suit, her heart heavy with the gravity of the task before her. The room was cold, the air thick with the sterile scent of antiseptic, a stark contrast to the faint metallic odor that still lingered in her memory. Before her lay the three bodies, each one a silent testament to a life prematurely ended, their pale faces a haunting reminder of the mystery she was determined to solve.
Dr. Lavine Dorothy, a beacon of calm amidst the tension, stood at the head of the examination table. She moved with an almost reverent grace, her hands gloved and steady as she prepared the equipment. Two other experts stood nearby, their eyes focused, their movements synchronized as they assisted in setting up the sophisticated Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) machine. The lab was silent, save for the soft hum of the equipment and the rustle of their protective gear.
With a brief nod to the team, Dr. Dorothy began. Her touch was gentle as she approached the first body, that of one of the sisters, Emily. She treated the corpse not as a mere specimen but as a person who once breathed and laughed, who had hopes and dreams. She brushed a strand of hair from the woman's forehead, a gesture so tender that it seemed out of place in the clinical environment. Yet, it was this very tenderness that set Dr. Dorothy apart—a respect for the dead that transcended the scientific detachment often required in such work.
The GC-MS method was intricate, involving the separation of the chemical compounds in a sample followed by their identification through mass spectrometry. Dr. Dorothy began by extracting tissue samples with the utmost care, ensuring that each incision was precise and minimal, preserving the body's dignity. The samples were then carefully prepared, each one labeled and documented with meticulous attention to detail.
As the machine began its analysis, Dr. Dorothy stood over the second body—Mark. Her fingers traced the edge of his cheek, as if in silent apology for the intrusion. The process was repeated, each step performed with the same unwavering precision. Her eyes never left the body, as if she could somehow communicate with the departed, seeking answers that lay hidden beneath the surface.
When she reached the final body, that of the second sister, the air in the room seemed to still. Dr. Dorothy's hands moved more slowly, almost as if she were reluctant to proceed. She paused for a moment, her eyes closed, offering a silent prayer for the soul that once inhabited the lifeless form before her. Then, with renewed focus, she took the final samples, her hands steady, her expression one of serene determination.
As the last sample was fed into the GC-MS machine, the room was filled with an anticipatory silence. The machine whirred softly as it processed the data, the results gradually appearing on the screen in front of Dr. Dorothy. She leaned in, her brow furrowing as she studied the output, searching for the clues that would unravel the mystery.
Minutes felt like hours as the analysis continued. Finally, a result began to take shape, the faint but telltale signature of a compound that had gone undetected in previous examinations. Dr. Dorothy's eyes widened as she recognized the pattern—a rare and potent toxin, one that could easily be masked in a body and would leave little trace once metabolized, save for the faintest of scents.
Her heart raced as she realized the implications. THIS WAS NO NATURAL DEATH. The presence of the toxin linked these deaths to each other and to the cold case from ten years ago. It was the breakthrough they had been hoping for, a thread that could finally tie the cases together.
Dr. Dorothy's eyes met Sarah's across the room, and in that silent exchange, they both knew—they were one step closer to uncovering the truth.