A Deadly Promise by Rachel Amphlett

Author:Rachel Amphlett [Amphlett, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Marion and Colin Winford were sitting side-by-side at a table in interview room three when Kay followed Gavin into the meeting, the couple holding hands while Preston’s mother dabbed at her eyes with a scrunched-up tissue.

Colin Winford rose to his feet as the door closed and thrust out a paw of a hand to Gavin, the man’s build suggesting he might have played rugby in his younger days.

‘Are you the detective who’s going to catch the fucker who killed my son?’ he demanded.

‘Colin, language.’ His wife’s eyes widened as colour shot to her cheeks. ‘I’m so sorry, we…’

‘It’s all right, don’t apologise – I’ve heard worse,’ Gavin said stoically, ‘and yes, I am. One of them, anyway. This is Detective Inspector Kay Hunter, who’s leading the investigation.’

‘Mr Winford, Mrs Winford, I’m so sorry for your loss.’ Kay motioned to the chairs around the table. ‘Shall we sit down, Mr Winford, and I’ll answer any questions you’ve got as best I can at the present time?’

‘Okay,’ he said gruffly. He squeezed his wife’s hand, then sighed. ‘Sorry for the language. It’s just that… Preston was… was…’

He broke down then, huge wracking sobs that shook his enormous frame while his wife wrapped her arm around him, her own tears leaving wet streaks across the pale coloured jacket he wore.

Gavin reached out for a box of tissues beside the recording equipment and slid them across to the couple, giving them a few moments to compose themselves.

‘Preston wouldn’t hurt anyone,’ Marion said eventually, her face blotchy with tears. ‘He never even got in with the wrong crowd at school.’

‘We just can’t understand why anyone would hurt him,’ Colin added, and sniffed.

‘Well, hopefully we can get some answers for you, and arrest whoever was responsible for his death,’ said Gavin. ‘Do you mind if we ask a few questions about Preston, to help us get a better idea of him as a person?’

‘Sure.’ Colin wiped at his eyes with his jacket sleeve, and straightened his shoulders. ‘Anything you need from us, just ask.’

‘Thank you.’ Gavin paused, opening his file to scan his notes, and Kay glanced across.

It was a good way to let Preston’s parents have a few more moments to gather their thoughts, and pride swelled in her chest at the way her colleague had matured as an investigator in their time together.

It meant she could listen and observe the interview, gauging the couple’s answers and try to detect any undercurrent of stress.

Often, it was something that was left unsaid that could provide the slightest breakthrough they so desperately needed.

‘When was the last time you saw Preston?’ Gavin began.

‘Early April,’ said Colin. ‘We live in Suffolk these days, so with him being busy with work and me not liking motorway driving so much we probably only saw him half a dozen times a year.’

‘We spoke on the phone every few weeks though,’ Marion added. ‘And email.’

‘But nothing since early April?’

Both parents shook their heads.

‘No.’ Colin gave a sad shrug. ‘I just assumed he was busy with work.

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