Email from Jo Southcombe to the Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven
Subject: VAMPIRE AUTOPSY (two words I thought I’d never need to say together)
Hello my curious book sleuths,
I’ve been doing more research on the husked bodies – specifically, on the drug used on Alyra and the marks around the wounds on all three victims.
Unfortunately, because Alyra’s body had been out in the sun for a full day before she was found, there was significant cell degeneration.
The toxin has almost completely disappeared from her system.
I’m working with a microscopic sample I found on her sleeve, likely where her assailant spilled a drop.
The toxin is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
It’s some kind of fungus spore that’s been mixed with Alyra’s own blood, probably to ensure absorption into the vampire’s system.
From what little I know about vampire physiology, vampire bodies will expel anything poisonous during their healing process, so the killer mixed their poison with a quantity of Alyra’s blood so that her body wouldn’t reject it.
How they got their hands on Alyra’s blood is a question you’ll need to answer.
My theory is that this toxin is the result of vampire magic, so you are probably looking at a Dusk Court vampire. I know they’re highly secretive, but that’s where I’d start.
I’ve also taken a closer look at the uniformity of the marks around the bites, as well as the fang holes themselves.
I think the marks are made by a machine.
I don’t know why that would be. I’ve seen Alaric and Gideon quaffing those bottles of vintage blood.
How is that blood extracted to be bottled?
Is there a machine that’s used? If I could inspect such a device, I might be able to compare the markings.
I found no other trace evidence – no fingerprints, blood spatter, or hairs.
I hope this helps your investigation. If you don’t mind, I’m going back to normal human corpses now. I prefer it when cuts don’t close over, and organs are where I expect them to be.
Jo