Leave No Trace (Detective Karen Hart) by D. S. Butler

Author:D. S. Butler [Butler, D. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2024-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

DI Morgan pulled his Volvo up to the kerb outside the Joneses’ bungalow. He switched off the engine and checked the dashboard clock – almost nine p.m.

He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin, hesitating. He hoped Sophie’s parents wouldn’t resent him for the late visit, or for encouraging their daughter to work before she was fully recovered. But Sophie had found something concerning in the old case files and Morgan couldn’t ignore that, no matter the hour.

He climbed out of the car, straightening his crumpled suit jacket. He wished he knew Churchill’s secret for keeping his clothes so neat and tidy. Although, never going to crime scenes and sitting in an air-conditioned office all day probably helped.

Morgan walked up the narrow path to knock on the Joneses’ front door.

A few moments later, Sophie’s father opened the door.

‘Mr Jones, I’m sorry for calling so late. Is Sophie available?’

‘Call me Geoff. No need to stand on ceremony.’ He opened the door wider with a welcoming smile. ‘Sophie’s in the living room. She’s been waiting up for you.’

Morgan stepped inside. A row of framed family photos lined the wall of the hall, chronicling Sophie at various ages. His gaze fell on a recent photo of her and her parents, before the attack; in it, she was fresh-faced and laughing, without a care in the world. Before her life was shattered into pieces.

The living room was lit by a lamp on the side table, giving it a cosy atmosphere. Sophie looked up from her spot on the floral sofa. Files were spread out on the coffee table in front of her, and she had a look of determination on her face that Morgan hadn’t seen for quite some time. She looked rested, her eyes bright and focused. She smiled at him, dimples appearing in her cheeks.

Perhaps things were finally starting to improve for Sophie.

‘Sophie. You’re looking well.’ He crossed over to take a seat in the armchair angled towards the sofa. ‘Now, what’s this lead you’ve found?’

Sophie pushed a file across the table towards him. ‘Here, look at this . . .’

Morgan leaned over, scanning the contents.

‘It’s there. On that page there,’ Sophie said, struggling to stand so she could point out the paragraph.

‘I’ll find it,’ Morgan said. ‘You don’t have to get up.’

‘Well, as you can see, the red Ford Focus is mentioned in the initial report, but it’s not in the final report Tranmere signed off on . . .’

Morgan listened, but Sophie’s words washed over him, because he’d just noticed the name at the bottom of the draft report. It was his. He’d seen that red car. He’d watched hours of CCTV, and knew he’d reported it accurately. But in the final report, the one signed off by DCI Tranmere and carefully typed up on the computer, there was no mention of the red car.

Blood rushed in Morgan’s ears. This wasn’t his mistake. He remembered that car because he’d asked Tranmere whether they should follow it up. Tranmere

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