Flames of Hate by Jay Nadal

Author:Jay Nadal [Nadal, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-21T16:00:00+00:00

29

Karen headed west out of the city and followed her satnav as it once again took her through rolling countryside and tight, hedge-lined narrow lanes. The address Belinda had given her was a little over five miles away from the Lawson farm. It had popped up on Bel’s radar as she’d extended the search to look for witnesses and information.

Having travelled back and forth along these roads in recent days, Karen was getting a feel for the terrain. She knew when to speed up and slow down on certain bends, especially when they were close to gates which led into fields. Her car rumbled over dried mud tyre tracks.

Since Henry’s call had led her to being here today, she afforded herself a small smile. He was cheeky but not arrogant. Keen to impress, his persistence had resulted in some benefit for her. As yet, she was unsure what this visit would yield or how, if at all, it was connected to her case. Karen’s thoughts were shaken when the satnav announced her arrival at the address.

Karen slowed, looking for the entrance to the farm. Two low stone pillars appeared up ahead on the right. Karen indicated and pulled in. The pillars still had rusty iron fixings attached to them where a farm gate had once stood. Karen scanned the tiny yard pitted with deep grooves and evidence of tyre tracks. The place looked much worse than she had imagined. The farmhouse was smaller than the Lawsons’ property. It desperately needed repair as she noticed peeling paint on the wooden frames, patches of brickwork where cement render had fallen off, and a greyish tint to the now faded white-painted walls.

Stepping out and locking the car behind her, out of habit more than anything else, she wondered who would be around to steal it from such a remote location. Karen walked up to the door and, spotting the absence of a doorbell, knocked. It took a few moments before a woman in a thin navy crew neck jumper and light blue jeans answered it. She had short brown hair, parted to one side, thick jowls, and blue eyes cloaked by heavy lids.

Karen held up her warrant card. “I’m Detective Chief Inspector Karen Heath from York police. I’m looking for Colin and Annie Rutter?”

The woman remained expressionless as her eyes travelled from Karen to the warrant card. “I’m Annie Rutter. What’s this about?”

“I wonder if you have a few moments. I’m investigating the fire at the Lawson farm and contacting all the farms in the local area.”

Annie Rutter’s eyes narrowed, her heavy eyelids almost concealing her eyes. She finally nodded and invited Karen in.

Together, they walked through to the rear of the property. Karen glanced at the rooms on either side of the hallway as she passed. The house appeared dated and in need of a lick of paint. The wooden furniture was old and well worn. As Karen followed Annie through to the kitchen, the dated theme continued.

Annie offered Karen a seat at the table before going to the open back door and shouting.

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