Chapter 2 Aftermath

The towering big top tent housing the press conference bulged at the seams against hordes of journalists salivating for any information. Rows of cameras lined the perimeter, poised like machine guns, their strobes flashing at Chief Inspector Sanderson when he marched through the cacophony to the waiting podium.

Sanderson raised weary, bloodshot eyes. The Chief had never faced such intense scrutiny from the press.

The first question speared him before he could utter a word.

"How did this calamity occur despite all precautions?" a reporter jabbed.

The Chief suppressed a sigh. "Our investigation has barely begun. I promise we will turn over every stone until we discover the truth."

"What about rumors of complicity by the British Horseracing Authority?" Another voice challenged from the seething mass.

"I understand your concerns, but we have no evidence at this time to indicate any wrongdoing by the BHA.

Our investigation is pursuing all credible leads, regardless of the individuals or organizations involved."

A BBC correspondent pressed on, his voice stern as he confronted the head of Scotland Yard.

"Chief Inspector, how many lives could have been saved if emergency responders had acted more quickly? What can you tell us about the number of fatalities?"

The Chief's face became drawn when he read out the statistics. Gasps rippled through the crowd at the horrifying death toll.

The correspondent continued. "Were these deaths preventable with faster action by the police force?

What steps will be taken to ensure a tragedy of this scale never happens again?"

A reporter from The Daily Sport interrupted.

"Care to explain how the king's prized stallion Shadowfax somehow managed to survive unscathed, Chief, when all the other horses perished?"

The Chief shifted uncomfortably. "I cannot speculate on any one horse. We're investigating all possibilities with the sole aim of preventing future tragedies."

An edge of irritation crept into his voice.

"I must ask the reporter to refrain from politicizing a still-unfolding tragedy!"

The reporter's insinuation opened the floodgates, and a sudden barrage of even more controversial questions battered him from all sides.

The Chief tried to compose himself. Though answers eluded him, he promised a tireless investigation, leaving no lead unfollowed until justice prevailed.

Yet beneath the baying din, he feared nothing but speculation would assuage the story-hungry press.

Worse still, questioning the king's horse had unleashed a firestorm. Even the Chief's tempered responses seemed only to fuel further suspicion and outrage.

He raised both hands. "Everyone, please."

The Chief's eyes fell upon an elderly woman sobbing in the front row. His heart sank, realizing that she must be the relative of one of the victims.

Making eye contact with the woman, the Chief spoke gently.

"My deepest sympathies for your loss. I promise we are doing everything possible to find answers for the victims and their families."

The woman looked up at Sanderson, tears streaming down her face. Through choked sobs, she replied.

"There were no answers...that could save my son. Please...tell me how this happened. I need to know..so no other mother loses a child?"

"You're right, ma'am. The truth is the only way to prevent another tragedy. The investigation has just begun. As facts emerge, I vow we will share all we can with the families."

The woman wiped tears from reddened cheeks but made no acknowledgment. Her grief was too raw for mere promises.

Sanderson spoke to the crowd. "I ask you to respect the privacy of the families as they grieve. Let facts guide us, not rumors."

The woman's red-rimmed eyes remained downcast. Her son's nameless face filled her thoughts, drowning out the chief's words.

A hush fell over the room. Some reporters focused their cameras on Sanderson's face, hoping to capture an evocative image for the front pages.

Sanderson continued. "On behalf of the victims and their families, thank you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my team and I have important work to do."

Without another word, Sanderson stepped down from the stage, moving swiftly towards the exit door of the marquee, surrounded by police officers, amid another eruption of camera flashes.

Emerging into the cool afternoon air, he felt mentally and physically drained. Every question had been a fresh assault, every speculative rumor felt like salt in an open wound. Officers had cordoned off sections of the race grounds with police tape to isolate the main incident site. Uniformed officers manned the barricades, checking credentials and diverting onlookers away from the secured perimeter.

Sanderson flashed his badge, pushing through one of the gaps in the police tape.

He headed for a grove of trees at the edge of the grounds, needing respite amid the controlled chaos. Forensics officers were combing the stable, ambulances queued up and temporary command posts were dotted about.

The police response unit was enormous in scale, likely with an incident room already set up off-site.

But even such a massive effort may not uncover the truth, Sanderson thought.

A man leaning against a tree smoking a cigarette caught his eye. His long coat flapped in the gusting wind.

"Inspector Grey I thought that was you?"

Grey turned. Weathered creases framed sharp grey eyes, eyes that scanned the Chief with deliberate focus.

Sanderson sighed. "What a bloody mess!"

"Indeed." Grey's voice held steel beneath its calm tenor.

Sanderson rubbed a hand over his tired face.

"Any leads so far, Inspector?"

"Nothing concrete as of yet."

"Come," Grey said.

"We've set up a temporary base to coordinate the investigation."

Sanderson nodded grimly. "Lead the way, Inspector."

They approached a large marquee tent marked 'Incident Command Center'.

The Commissioner of Scotland Yard strode into the entrance. Inside, officers and officials had set up makeshift workstations, poring over files and maps.

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Marching through the aisles between the workstations, officers parted like the Red Sea, snapping to attention at their esteemed leader.

Then Inspector Grey and Chief Sanderson climbed the steps to the stage.

A table was piled high with police files, witness statements, and evidence photos. Behind it hung a whiteboard covered in notes, questions, and circles highlighting potential leads.

The officers gathered, and the room fell silent when Inspector Grey took front and center, with Sanderson standing attentively by his side.

Grey surveyed the investigation units, nodding curtly to a few of the more senior officers he recognized.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As you know, we have a very complex and public investigation on our hands here."

Grey then proceeded to outline the roles and responsibilities of the various teams, referring to officers by name where possible and giving specific directions tailored to their specialties and resources.

Grey turned to the group of detectives assembled.

"Detectives," he stated firmly.

"Your role in uncovering the truth is critical."

He glanced down at his notepad.

"Jamison, Singh, Riley - you and your teams have the resources and experience needed.

But we must act swiftly," Grey urged.

"Question witnesses without delay, both at the racetrack and beyond. Start with those closest to the incident."

Detective Jamison interjected. "Sir, some witnesses are reluctant due to immigration issues. What should we do?"

"The guilty must face justice, whatever their status. Your priority is gathering testimony. I assure you, we'll handle the rest."

Jamison nodded. "Understood sir. We'll move quickly."

"Review all evidence without delay. Familiarize yourselves with case files and follow due process."

Chief Inspector Sanderson spoke up.

"Dotting every 'I' and crossing out every 'T' is essential to build an ironclad case that will hold up in court."

"We'll need additional staff to manage witness interviews and evidence review," Detective Riley proposed.

"Of course. Submit your requests and I'll approve the necessary resources," Grey replied.

After a brief discussion, Grey, and Chief Inspector Sanderson dismissed the detectives to begin their urgent work.

Grey looked down at his pad.

"Mr. Wicks, I understand you've led security here for many years. This incident must be quite a shock."

"You've certainly got that right, Inspector. In my 15 years on the job, I've never seen anything like this. We pride ourselves on safety here, and to have something of this scale happen...it's simply devastating.

I just want to do everything I can to help get to the bottom of it."

"I appreciate your dedication. Now is the chance to stretch your investigative muscles.

As a first step, I need your team to carefully review all guest lists and records from the day. Any small anomaly could provide an important lead."

"My team is already compiling that information as we speak. I'll have preliminary reports for you in a few hours, like you asked."

"Good man. As a follow-up, prioritize interviews with any staff who interacted with the horses as well as spectators in the area at the time. Time is of the essence on this."

"You got it. We're already reaching out to schedule those first interviews. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation if ever there was one."

Grey crossed the final item off his checklist and then looked up at Wicks.

"It seems your team is already getting on with it. I appreciate your diligence and professionalism in this difficult situation."

"We're grateful for your team's full cooperation," Chief Inspector Sanderson noted.

Grey was satisfied. "I will be in touch if we have any additional requests. We will touch base later."

Wicks took his leave, while Grey turned another page in his notepad, focusing on the British horseracing authority official.

"Your mandate is to ensure the safety and integrity of racing is that correct?"

"We take this responsibility very seriously."

"Your parallel investigation will be integral if we coordinate closely to avoid duplicating efforts."

"We both want answers."

"Indeed," said Grey.

"Which is why I ask you to open your investigation immediately, in tandem with ours."

The regulator assured him. "We'll begin right away and inform you of any relevant findings that could aid the police investigation."

"And the same in return," Grey said.

"Share all details, however small. No information is insignificant now."

Sanderson chimed in. "A swift, cooperative investigation is the only way justice can be served for the victims."

"You have our full cooperation, Inspector!"

After assigning roles to insurance investigators. Grey directed any loose private investigators hired by bereaved family members.

Grey then finished, setting the complex investigation in motion. The Chief of Scotland Yard stayed behind, showing a united front rallying the team.

When he broke away from the marquee, Grey lit a cigarette, reflecting on the task ahead. Uncovering the truth would require him to have multiple eyes from multiple angles. Crossing the racetrack, Grey arrived at the on-site pathology laboratory.

He wanted to see firsthand if there were any clues to be gleaned from the deceased horses.

The laboratory was eerily quiet except for the hum of refrigeration units containing the carcasses. Eight horses lay on cold metal tables, eyes closed as if in a peaceful slumber.

Dr. Walsh looked up as Grey entered.

"You must be Inspector Grey," she said.

"I'm Dr. Walsh, the Chief Veterinary Pathologist for Scotland Yard. I hope my examination can be of some help in your investigation."

She wore a protective gown, gloves, and a face mask. She had been called in to examine the horses that had perished in the racetrack tragedy.

A small team of technicians and veterinarians were collecting samples and documenting findings.

"If you'd like to observe, I'll need you to suit up. We can't risk contaminating the specimens."

She gestured to protective gowns and boots hanging on the wall, Grey duly obliged without fuss.

She began where she had left off with a beautiful chestnut mare named Shining Star.

Dr. Walsh made an incision along the ventral midline of the thorax and abdomen, from the base of the throat to the pubis symphysis.

She reflected the skin and muscle layers to expose the organs and cavities of the thorax and abdomen.

Grey had seen his fair share of dead bodies over the years as a police Inspector. But dead animals at crime scenes were something new.

There was a stillness and vulnerability to the horse on the slab that tugged at his emotions in a way that human remains rarely did not.

Dr. Walsh collected samples of each organ for histopathology: small sections of the lung, heart, liver, kidney, and spleen were placed into labeled specimen containers filled with formalin for fixation and preservation of tissues.

Sections of stomach contents and contents of the small and large intestines were also collected for analysis.

Dr. Walsh worked methodically and precisely, yet with a tenderness Grey found surprising. She handled the horse's organs with care as if she examining a loved one.

Grey realized how much compassion and skill was required for this specialist job - while honoring the dignity of the creatures under her knife.

Dr. Walsh completed the final autopsy. Grey looked up.

"Doctor, have you found anything unusual so far?"

"At this stage of the external exam, I haven't observed any obvious abnormalities like tumors, ruptures, or internal bleeding," Dr. Walsh explained,

"But a full analysis of tissues and fluid samples under the microscope, as well as toxicology tests, could reveal abnormalities that I can't detect just by visual inspection alone."

She gestured to sample containers on the counter.

"I've taken tissue samples from the vital organs like the heart, lungs, and liver for further microscopic analysis.

That could show cell damage, parasitic infections, or other changes that help determine the cause of death."

"How long will that take?" Grey asked.

"At least 24 hours for initial results," Dr. Walsh said.

"Poisons and chemicals may require additional specialized tests."

"Keep me apprised of your progress. Any small clue could be vital."

"I'll call you the moment I find anything of significance," Dr. Walsh promised.

Grey studied the mare's still form, looking for any details that could be a clue. Seeing the care Dr. Walsh took with the remains, he knew the horses' silent testimony was in capable hands.

"Thank you, Doctor." Grey began unsuiting himself from the protective gear.

"Call me as soon as you find anything significant."

"Hopefully we can find some clue that points us in the right direction," Dr. Walsh assured him.

"I'm counting on it. Thank you again for your expertise."

With that, Grey exited the laboratory, on to the next task of unraveling this investigation.