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Jean-Luc, in plain clothes, were some of Thomas' collegues.

- The locals will be here soon. They'll lock all that up, but still we can inspect. Let's go. You know you'll be, but as we spent the whole day together, there shouldn't be any problem. Anyhow, you'd rather not come in the house with us, what d'you think ?

Thomas cut him up.

- You're right, follow me. Let me just show you the way.

They entered the house with him.

- I stayed in this room for a moment before walking in the bedroom, I might have moved or touched things, I don't know if I can list them, though it will come back to me if any fingerprints show up.

- At what time did we drop you off ? Wasn't it around seven ?

- I must have came in around ten past seven, more or less. I stayed in this room for a while, you know, just to lay my stuff down and rest a bit.

- Did you notice anything suspicious ?

- No, nothing. Then, I entered the bedroom.

Thomas showed them the way, while he stayed in the main room. They looked at the body still lying on the floor, in turns.

- I found her there, like that. I couldn't help holding her in my arms, even though I knew I had better not touched her at all.

Stéphane put his hand on Thomas' shoulder.

- I understand, Thomas. One can't blame you for that but in this case, you'll have to give me your shirt. You know, to check out the blood stains...

- No problem. Can you get me another one in the bedroom closet, please ?

- Ok...

Stéphane came back a few seconds later with a new shirt and put aside the one Thomas wore.

- When did you call us ?

- Right away, around seven and a half.

They heard sirens and car noises in the background. Thomas put the clean shirt on.

- Seb, go and see if it's the ambulance. Only allow a doctor to pass through, maybe there's still hope. Otherwise, we won't move anything for the fingerprint process and all.

- OK, I'm on it.

The youngest of the men obeyed.

- Do you have any idea of who could have done this ?

Thomas waited a few seconds.

- No...

Jean-Luc came back, followed by the forensic expert.

- Good evening, I'm Doctor Paul Égrenne, where's the victim?

- Over there, follow me. Here you are, try to touch the least things possible. I'm afraid it may be too late to do anything.

Thomas went closer, he bit his lips. The doctor went round the bed and kneel down near the victim. He noted the injury at the neck, took the pulse at the wrist just in case, looked to the pupil with a small light.

- It has been at least two or three hours she died. There is nothing left to do.

The doctor stood up looking the body for a few moments, he sighed, then looked sadly at the