Chapter 1 Summary

Inspector Tyador Borlu is at the scene of a crime. Four teens have called in finding a dead body of a woman, underneath a mattress. The police find a small amount of drugs on the teens when they are searched. When the Inspector questions the teens, they report seeing a van near the scene, but can't remember what time they saw it.

When the medical examiner, Stepen Shukman, and his assistant Hamd Hamzinic arrive, Shukman certifies the death of the woman. After the police photographers finish with their pictures, he rolls her over to see cut marks on her face, and says this is her cause of death. Shukman also says the woman has been dead for approximately twelve hours and that she wasn't murdered where they found the body.

Naustin, a detective, says he thinks she's probably a hooker because of her...