Bloody Valentine by James Patterson

Author:James Patterson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective, Crime, General, Suspense, Thrillers, Fiction
ISBN: 9781409039273
Publisher: Arrow
Published: 2011-02-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

‘And …?’ It irritated Amy, having to ask.

‘It’s Zee Barnes.’

‘Does Jack Barnes know?’

‘Barbara Davies is on her way to him with Irene Conway, the family liaison officer.’ Patrick ended the call. Amy switched off her mobile and looked through the glass panel. Michael was still shouting at Ben.

Ted’s voice was low, apologetic. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Leila. The police are searching the building. No one’s allowed into their apartments.’

Amy turned to see the porter talking to a well-groomed woman in her forties. She could have posed for a fashion magazine aimed at the middle-aged.

‘The police?’ Leila repeated. ‘What on earth are the police doing in the building?’

Amy went to the desk. ‘I’ll speak to Miss Barnes, Ted.’

Leila glared at Amy. ‘And you are?’

‘Inspector Amy Stuart. If you’ll join me in the conference suite, I’ll explain what’s happening.’

‘Join you?’ Leila repeated in disgust. ‘This is not your building, Inspector Stuart. You’ve no authority to issue invitations. I wish to go to my apartment. Now.’

‘I need to speak to you first, Miss Barnes.’ Amy opened the door of the conference suite. Ben was still trying to calm Michael. ‘Miss Barnes, if you’d sit down please.’

‘I don’t want to sit—’

‘For pity’s sake, Leila, don’t be your usual difficult self. Not with these people, or they’ll keep us here for ever.’ Michael snapped at his sister.

‘No one’s told me what’s going on …’

‘Please sit down, Miss Barnes.’ Amy glanced at Ben.

Leila sat three chairs away from her brother and his girlfriend.

Amy looked at Ben again to make sure he was watching the faces of Leila, Michael and Anni. ‘I regret to inform you that your sister-in-law, Zee Barnes, and the chef Bruno Gambrini have been murdered.’

‘There must be some mistake …’

‘I assure you there’s no mistake, Miss Barnes.’

Anni slumped back in her chair. ‘Zee – and Bruno …’ She began to cry: large, soft, silent tears.

‘Where’s Jack?’ Michael asked.

‘In his office.’

‘Is anyone with him?’ Leila asked. ‘He shouldn’t be alone …’

‘He’s not alone,’ Amy assured her.

‘I suppose that secretary of his—’

‘For heaven’s sake, Leila, shut up.’ Michael looked at Amy. ‘How was Zee killed? Did the same person kill her and Bruno …?’

‘I’m not at liberty to divulge any more information, Mr Barnes.’

‘Have you caught whoever’s responsible?’

‘We need to interview everyone who lives in the building. Miss Barnes, could I speak to you first?’ Amy opened an inner door, which led on to a corridor.

‘There are four offices and four en-suite bedrooms in there,’ Michael explained. ‘If you want somewhere private, there’s an office ahead of you.’

‘Thank you.’ Amy opened the door that Michael indicated. ‘Miss Barnes?’

Leila left her chair reluctantly.

A constable tapped Amy on the shoulder. ‘Liam Ansell has reviewed the CCTV images, ma’am. There’s something he thinks you should see right away.’

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.