Page 48 of Killing Me Softly

“Dr Chong.” Kenny’s eyes remained fixed on the sheet covering his mother’s lifeless body.

Jack moved between them. “We’re ready when you are.”

Dr Chong motioned toward the table. She pulled off her gloves and everything about her demeanour was professional. But Kenny could feel the substance of her gaze in the way shelooked at him, her voice calm yet direct. She knew this wasn’t just another case. She knew what was at stake here.

“We’ve completed the examination. Worked overnight for you, Kenny.”

“Thank you.”

“I can walk you through the findings here, or if you would prefer, I can just write a report—”

“No. I need to know.” Kenny’s throat was as dry as sandpaper.

Jack hovered just behind him, silent but solid. A small mercy. Kenny wasn’t sure he could handle more than one voice right then.

Dr Chong gestured to a screen nearby, an X-ray of his mother’s chest cavity displayed in sharp detail.

Kenny had seen countless crime scene photos. Had combed through pathology reports. And stared into the depths of mutilated bodies without flinching. But this… this was hismother. And it threatened to shatter the clinical detachment he had relied on for years. He wasn’t sure he could hold it together. Wasn’t sure he could compartmentalise the way he always had. But hehadto.

To understand. To see the damage for himself.

Because if he didn’t, if he allowed himself to turn away from this, he would never forgive himself. He owed her that much. The same relentless pursuit of truth he had given to so many victims before her. To Jessica.

“At first glance, the external examination showed no significant injuries.” Chong used a laser pointer to indicate specific areas. “No bruising. No outward signs of struggle, which would suggest no foul play. But when we conducted the internal examination, the findings were… unusual.”

Kenny didn’t speak.Couldn’t. Every word from Dr Chong felt like a hammer striking an invisible wall around his composure.

“We agree with Jack’s initial assessment. The petechial hemorrhages in the eyes—those tiny red spots caused by burst capillaries—are a hallmark sign of asphyxiation.”

Kenny drew in a breath instinctively.

“And we also found evidence of pressure marks on the nose and mouth. Subtle but consistent with the application of a soft object, such as a pillow, used to obstruct breathing.”

Kenny stared at the sheet-covered body on the table, the sterile white now feeling like an accusation. His mind replayed every interaction he’d had with his mother, and he felt like he was falling into a void.

Dr Chong moved to the head of the table. “The bruising patterns on the face are faint but telling. These marks suggest force. Pressure applied to keep the obstruction in place long enough to induce death.” Chong turned back to the screen. “Internally, we found haemorrhaging in the soft tissues of the neck here. Consistent with struggling against the obstruction. This indicates your mother was conscious during the act.”

That broke him. A sharp inhale escaped, almost a sob, though he swallowed it down quickly, eyes burning, but he refused to let them tear up. Not here. Not now.

Dr Chong softened her voice, the edges of her professionalism giving way to a note of sympathy. “Kenny, I’m so sorry, but there’s no indication that your mother died of natural causes. The findings are consistent with asphyxiation, likely at the hands of another individual.”

Kenny turned away from the table. The room felt too bright, too sterile, every sound amplified. The hum of the machines, the faint shuffle of movement from Jack behind him, his own ragged breathing. Heknewit, but having it pointed out to him made it all the more real again.

Jack stepped closer. “Kenny…”

Kenny shook his head. “So we got the evidence. We’ve hypothesised the why.” He looked at Jack. “Your job’s to get the who, right?”

“Working on it.”

“And?”

“I’m holding a briefing back at the station this afternoon. Now we have this, we’re bringing it all together. This is lightning speed, Kenny. We’re doing what we can.”

“It’s notenough!” Kenny slapped his hand on the counter. He knew he was being irrational. How could he not? That was his mother lying dead having had her life extinguished by the hands of someone else. It wouldn’t matter if the culprit walked in here right now and Jack handcuffed them, it still wouldn’t be enough to appease this great, gaping hole in his chest.

Because it hadn’t ever been filled after Jessica.

“Go take a walk, Kenny.” Jack nodded to the door. “I need to get the paperwork here.”

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