How does P. D. James use imagery in Death of an Expert Witness?

Imagery:

"'Damn Lorrimer! Everything he touches goes wrong for me.' He felt a spasm of hatred so intense, so physical that it made him retch. If only Lorrimer's body were sprawled at the bottom of the clunch pit." Book 1, Chap. 3, p. 33

"He knew that Hoggatt's had a heartbeat—all institutions did—but the pulse eluded him." Book 1, Chap. 8, p. 58