Frozen Minds: A murder mystery set deep in Wales (DI Winter Meadows Book 2) by Cheryl Rees-Price

Author:Cheryl Rees-Price [Rees-Price, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: THE BOOK FOLKS bestselling crime fiction publisher
Published: 2020-08-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

When they arrived at the station, they found the team unpacking boxes.

‘Any problems getting these?’ Meadows asked.

‘No.’ Blackwell put a stack of files onto his desk. ‘I warned the relief staff not to have any contact with Jane or any of the regular staff concerning the removal of files.’

‘Good.’ Meadows stood at the enquiry board and addressed the team. ‘I want us to split the files and search for any inconsistencies. Check signatures on any withdrawals and receipts. We need to look at the overall finances of Bethesda as well as individual residents’ accounts and personal files. Also I want to be sure that all the medication over the last four years is accounted for. Jane Pritchard’s alibi is shaky, her husband can’t confirm that she was in bed all night. We still don’t have confirmation of Miles’ alibi and Cillian doesn’t have one. Alan was getting money from somewhere and someone knew about it. Any questions?’

There was a general shaking of heads and the files were divided among the group. Paskin took charge of the medication, cross-referencing the log against the client files. Blackwell huffed his way through the house expenses while Valentine checked the computer taken from Jane’s office. Meadows and Edris were left with the residents’ personal accounts. Each time money was withdrawn there was a corresponding expense form with two signatures, which was then matched to receipts. It was slow going, and despite the copious amounts of coffee the team drank, Meadows could sense the enthusiasm and energy waning.

‘I think we need to get one of the tech guys to check out the computer,’ Valentine suggested. ‘There doesn’t appear to be anything incriminating but files may have been deleted.’

‘That’s a good idea, Valentine. Take it over to them then call it a night,’ Meadows said.

‘Thanks.’ Valentine smiled and began packing up the computer.

‘How come she gets to go home?’ Blackwell grunted.

Meadows looked at his watch. No wonder Blackwell was grumbling.

‘You can go, you too, Paskin. It’s late, go home get some sleep and we’ll start early in the morning.’

‘I’m happy to stay a bit longer,’ Edris said.

‘No surprises there, golden boy,’ Blackwell said as he shut his file.

Meadows ignored the comment.

Sergeant Folland walked into the office. ‘Still at it then?’

Meadows looked up and noticed that Blackwell had paused at his desk. ‘Looks like it’s going to be a long weekend.’

‘I’ve got something that will cheer you up.’ Folland approached Meadows’ desk. ‘That vehicle travelling from London you asked to be checked out? Traffic picked it up on the M4 cameras, but not on the day your boy says. Last camera picked it up on Monday at 7.05 p.m.’

‘Now that is good news. No alibi and Miles lied about his whereabouts.’

‘We should bring them in now,’ Blackwell said.

‘We still don’t have a motive. I want to go through this lot first to see what we turn up.’

‘If you find anything,’ Blackwell sneered.

‘Why don’t you have a dig around, see what you can find out about Miles’ last employment?’

‘Yeah, first thing in the morning,’ Blackwell grunted.

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