A Winter Of Blood: A powerful British detective crime thriller. (The DCI Cook Murder Mystery Series. Book 1) by Jack Cartwright

Author:Jack Cartwright [Cartwright, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chestnut Press
Published: 2023-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

The office was welcoming only in the fact that it protected them from the fierce wind outside. The walls were painted a dull magnolia with framed prints of sports stars, most of which Hannaway had seen before in various shops. They weren’t even signed, but he had to admit, the monochrome images suited the rather bleak decor of the old, converted cottage with its exposed beams and rough-finished walls.

“You want to do what?” Robert said. “Every property?”

“Only the unoccupied properties,” Hannaway said. “We can visit the rest of them later.”

“We can’t just walk into people’s homes. There are rules, you know?”

“I fully appreciate–”

“I mean, how would you feel if somebody just turned up at your house and demanded to look around? You wouldn’t let them in, would you?”

“That all depends,” Hannaway replied.

“On?”

“On whether or not the individuals in question, i.e., you two, were respectable property managers, and whether or not I had something to hide. Personally, if I had nothing to hide and wanted to aid a serious police investigation, and the men who managed my property were decent blokes, then I’d have no problem.” Hannaway watched the pair internalise their arguments. “But like I said, we’ll begin with the unoccupied properties. Perhaps we can provide the residents with some kind of advanced notice while we search the empty places?”

“We need to give twenty-four hours’ notice,” Roy said.

Hannaway checked his watch.

“Can we do that now?” he said. “We’re talking about more than twenty properties. How many of those are empty?”

“Three,” Roy said. “But can I ask a question?”

“Of course,” Hannaway replied.

“What’s all this about? You said this is a serious police investigation, and I get that you’re withholding information, but can we at least know what you’re looking for? We might even be able to help.”

Hannaway ran a hand through his natural curls, taking a moment to consider his response. The two seemed like good men, they were clearly trusted by the family, and all their objections had been to protect either the residents or the Dickens family.

“How well do you know the family?” he asked, to which Roy shrugged.

“We’ve worked with them for years. Why?”

“Because they’re going through a particularly hard time,” Hannaway explained, and the shorter of the two’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Not that young lad yesterday?” He glanced across at his brother briefly and then back at Hannaway. “The hit and run. They were all talking about it in the pub last night. It wasn’t little Harry, was it?”

“I’m afraid so,” Hannaway said.

“But what does that have to do with the houses?” Robert asked. “What are you looking for?”

“Not what, who,” Hannaway replied, then gave in. It was obvious if he was to get the unlikely pair on board, he’d have to provide some sort of explanation. “Janice Dickens went missing shortly afterwards. Her car was seen leaving the scene of the crime.”

“Janice? No way. She wouldn’t do that. Not to her own bloody nephew anyway.”

“It may surprise you to learn that we agree. Myself and the senior investigating officer are anyway.

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