Page 25 of The Scene of the Crime

‘I don’t go to the gym and lift weights or anything like that, but I’m a member of a cycling club, and my girlfriend and I cycle together regularly. I’ve also recently been doing longer hours delivering mail due to a backlog at the sorting office. It’s made my working days more strenuous, so maybe that’s got something to do with it.’

‘It’s possible. Kinase levels can also go up after drinking too much alcohol. What would you say your average daily intake is?’

‘Very little during the week. I have to be up for work at five a.m. I might have the occasional bottle of beer, but it’s often an alcohol-free one. I sometimes go to the pub with cycling friends on Saturday night, but it’s not a regular thing.’

‘What about spirits?’

‘I rarely, if ever, have any.’

‘This is a question I need to ask . . . please don’t be offended by it. Do you take any performance-enhancing supplements, such as anabolic steroids or protein powders?’

‘No, but I take multivitamin tablets and cod liver oil daily.’

Dr Barnes smiled. ‘That’s a good thing . . . in moderation, of course. Your work as a postman is obviously very strenuous and could cause a rise in kinase levels. Your symptoms of muscle cramps, aches and weakness could also be symptomatic.’

‘So, there’s nothing wrong with me?’ he said, feeling relieved.

‘I can’t say that for certain, David. You might have a heart condition or a neuromuscular problem causing the kinase levels to rise.’

‘I check my heart rate and blood pressure daily, and they’ve been fine.’

‘Then that’s a positive thing. But I am going to refer you to a neurologist who will carry out some more tests . . .’

‘Why can’t you tell me what’s wrong with me?’ he interrupted.

Dr Barnes could see the look of concern on his face. ‘There may be nothing wrong with you, David. I know you must be worried but try not to be.’

‘What sorts of tests?’

‘I’m not a neurologist, David.’

‘But you must have some idea . . .’

‘There are many disorders that affect the nervous system, but there is no risk in having a neurological examination. I will also give you a prescription for some antidepressant medication.’

‘I’m not depressed!’

‘I know, but amitriptyline is also prescribed for fatigue and back pain.’ Dr Barnes printed off the prescription and handed it to David. ‘A receptionist will text you with the date and time of your appointment.’

‘How long will it be before I see the neurologist?’

‘I can’t give you an exact date, but hopefully in a week or two.’

‘Which hospital will it be at?’

‘Guy’s. Please, try not to worry, David. You’re young and healthy, but don’t overexert yourself on your mail round. For now, it would be better if you could do some internal work at the sorting office instead of delivering mail.’

‘I’ll ask my manager.’

‘Good. I will also email you some low intensity exercises you can do to help with the cramp.’

‘Thank you, doctor.’ David folded the prescription and put it in his pocket.

David went to the chemists in Petts Wood to get his prescription. He knew the doctor was trying to be helpful by telling him not to worry, but he was sure there was something she wasn’t telling him. While waiting for the medication to be packaged, David looked at the health supplements on the shelves. He bought some Metatone tonic, Wellman effervescent tablets and magnesium, which, according to the labels, wouldhelp him sleep and increase his energy levels. When he got home, David sat down at the kitchen table with his laptop and started looking up articles on creatine kinase, what a neurologist does and the tests they do. He knew about CT and MRI scans, but other tests like angiography, myelography and neurointerventional radiology he’d never heard of and sounded scary. The more he read, the more depressed and worried he became.

* * *

Having started work just after three in the morning, it was midday when Jessica said it was time to down tools and have a lunch break. The exterior crime scene tape had been removed, so Taff organised a pizza delivery to be dropped off by the garden gate on Homer Road. It was a sunny afternoon, so Taff and Diane sat at the garden table, drinking water and chatting while waiting for the pizzas. They’d been working non-stop and were glad to be able to finally relax, with their crime scene suits unzipped and the sleeves tied around their waists.