CRIME IN THE BALLROOM a fiercely addictive crime thriller (Detective Markham Mystery Book 9) by CATHERINE MOLONEY

Author:CATHERINE MOLONEY [MOLONEY, CATHERINE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JOFFE BOOKS crime mysteries and thrillers
Published: 2020-06-30T18:30:00+00:00

7. Approaching Storm

‘Right,’ said Markham once they were settled with their tea, courtesy of the ever-efficient Mrs Seddon. ‘What did you get from Doug Callaghan?’

‘Not a nice man,’ Doyle ventured, pulling a face.

At that moment, the DI’s mobile interrupted proceedings.

Watching the boss’s face darken appreciably, it was very apparent to the team who was calling.

‘Yes, sir. Quite so, sir. Discretion, sir . . . absolutely.’ Markham was doing his finest impersonation of a plank of wood.

‘That was the DCI,’ he said wearily once the distinctly one-sided call was over. ‘Wants a heads-up on our . . . let me see, how did he put it . . . “direction of travel”.’

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake,’ Noakes growled. ‘You mean he wants a prime suspect as in “The Dodgy Janitor” or “Freaky Psycho”.’ His pudgy fingers sketched savage air quotes. ‘When will he ever change the bleeding record?’ The DS produced his most ferocious scowl. ‘Right now, the “direction of travel” is shit creek without a paddle.’

‘Stow it, Noakesy.’ Before you burst a blood vessel. ‘We’ll tell Sidney we’re liaising with DCI McLeod regarding the Willett investigation . . . looking at gang warfare or territorial feuds or some such. As per Superintendent Bretherton’s initial theory.’

‘Will the DCI go for it, sir?’ Burton’s big brown eyes were magnified to the size of saucers behind her schoolmarm spectacles. ‘I mean, how does Enid fit into that scenario?’

‘Or Shirley Bastin?’ Doyle added.

‘We’ll tell Sidney the full picture is . . . inchoate.’

Thank God for a guvnor who’d swallowed a dictionary.

‘The main thing is to turn attention away from the dance studio . . . talk up neighbourhood grudges and the drugs scene,’ the DI continued. ‘And it’s a fact that Mickey Willett was involved with ravers or whatever they called themselves back then.’ Markham endeavoured to keep the cynicism out of his tone, but it leached through, nevertheless. Unconsciously, he echoed what DI Carstairs had said to him at Doggie’s. ‘Has to be better than upsetting the nice middle-class mummies and daddies by suggesting that someone at the Bluebell is a homicidal maniac.’

‘What time does Sidney want us to check in?’ Noakes sounded resigned to the inevitable, like a schoolboy anticipating six of the best.

‘Five-ish. So we’re okay for time.’ Markham’s smile did not extend to his eyes, Burton noticed. ‘Look, it’ll be fine, Sergeant. We’ll give it the old one-two and blind Sidney with science.’

Noakes looked far from convinced.

Kate Burton cleared her throat.

‘What is it, Kate?’

‘Clay Clifton came in earlier, sir.’

‘Oh yes?’ Markham was only too glad to park the subject of DCI Sidney. ‘What did he have to say?’

‘Wanted to know if they could get into the building . . . There’s some kids’ shows or competitions coming up and he’s worried they’re behind schedule.’

‘What does he think this is?’ Noakes exploded. ‘Frigging Strictly Come Dancing? We’ve got a murder investigation going on here, so Mister Spangles can stick it.’

‘The SOCOs were finished, sir,’ she said, ‘so I gave permission for them to come in and do their practice sessions.

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