55 by James Delargy

Author:James Delargy [Delargy, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Mystery
ISBN: 9781471177545
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2019-04-03T13:00:00+00:00

27

Chandler quickly discovered that the press was desperate for information. They wanted to know who the people of interest were, what they were suspected of, background and beliefs, anything and everything about them, seeking the tiniest crack to edge into and take root.

As he finished his latest briefing, Erin and Roper had returned and were updating Mitch, Luka floating around the outside, a new planet orbiting the sun. A few minutes later Mitch addressed the station, failing to hide his disappointment. Mostly at them.

‘So far we’ve had no luck in identifying a gravesite near the shack, so I’m making this our number one priority. Without graves, without bodies, we do not have a murder, we do not have a serial killer, just two men who are accusing each other of such. If – when – we locate the graves, then we can pressure one of them into giving up the other. They’ll fold like a house of cards.’

‘Assuming they are working together,’ said Chandler. Mitch shot him an angry glare but Chandler continued. ‘And if they were and had a falling-out then they’d have created differing stories of how they got to the woods. There would be no reason for them to match.’

‘That could be their plan. To put us off the scent. And it’s succeeding,’ said Mitch.

‘No,’ said Chandler. ‘If they have the same story that means the killer is using it to piggy-back. That means only one—’

Mitch fought back. ‘Both admit to having seen the graves.’

In full flow now, Chandler wasn’t going to be stopped. ‘Explain to me why they would admit seeing the graves if they were trying to get away with it, or trying to pin the blame on the other. That would make no sense. It only gets them into deeper trouble.’

‘They may not be too smart, Sergeant.’

‘Smart enough to have us running in circles.’

‘Ever-decreasing circles,’ said Mitch. ‘We’ll get them soon. What I want now is a positive attitude.’ He turned to the group, but continued staring at Chandler. ‘I need teams on the Hill searching for the graves. I’ll be coordinating.’ Pointing at pairs he continued, ‘Erin and Roper you’re up again. Yohan and Suze. MacKenzie and Sun.’ His eyes scanned the room, straight past Chandler. ‘Luka, you can pair with Flo. Jim and Tanya, you too.’

Tanya interrupted.

‘You should take Chandler,’ she said. ‘Give him a team.’

Mitch tried to ignore her. ‘Everyone ready in ten minutes.’

Tanya continued regardless. ‘He knows the region. You both do. You want to find those graves, don’t you? Then you have to bring him.’

It was an impassioned speech from a loyal colleague. Pride shot through Chandler.

Mitch paused, licking lips the colour of the evening sky. ‘You are right, Senior Constable. Any personal differences Chandler and I may have will be put aside.’ Mitch looked at them all. ‘Let’s solve this case.’

Chandler was back in the inner circle.

‘If we do go searching for the graves,’ Chandler said, ‘we can’t go by what they stated in the interviews.’

‘And why’s that, Sergeant?’ asked Mitch.

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