MURDER IN THE VILLAGE a gripping crime mystery full of twists by Faith Martin

Author:Faith Martin [MARTIN, FAITH]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books crime, thriller and mystery
Published: 2017-11-12T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Superintendent Jerome Raleigh slowly steepled his fingers together and met the eyes of the man sitting across from him. His desk, stretching between them like a no-man’s land, was unusually clear. Perhaps because his workload had suddenly lessened. A clue perhaps of things to come?

He said as much to his superior officer.

Chief Superintendent Marcus Donleavy shrugged. ‘Until we can clear up the events of that night to everyone’s satisfaction, you’re still, technically, in the saddle. But nobody’s anxious to load you up with new cases or committee appointments, at least not until they’re sure how things will pan out.’

Jerome smiled thinly. ‘Can’t say as I blame them. And how long do you think it’s likely to be before that happens?’

Again, Marcus shrugged. ‘Depends how quickly the evidence can be sifted, and how fast the review board can process it. But it might get bogged down because the TFI are going to fight their corner every inch of the way, and are adamant that they’re not going to take any flak over this.’

Jerome Raleigh nodded. ‘Nor should they,’ he agreed quietly.

Marcus watched the man from the Met as he leaned back slightly in his swivel chair, making it creak slightly. His steepled hands fell to the arm rests and lay limply. ‘Is that an admission that the faults all lie with you?’ he asked curiously.

Jerome shrugged. ‘If blame has to be apportioned, then yes. Do you think it will?’ he asked, the question either very candid, or unbelievably naive. And Marcus Donleavy didn’t think the man was naive. Which meant he was asking for honesty.

Suddenly he sighed, and they were just two men who’d managed to climb the ladder high. Up until now, Donleavy had had no complaints about the man who’d taken over his old job. He’d seemed to settle in and he’d heard no management complaints or grumbling from the lower orders. And certainly nobody had doubted his dedication to putting away the scum. So was this Fletcher fiasco just a glitch? Or was it indicative of a more ingrained problem? But then, surely a man couldn’t reach the position of super without somebody noticing if he were either reckless or stupid. And what had happened during the Fletcher raid had to be either one or the other.

Marcus frowned, then realised the man was still waiting for his answer. He thought carefully before speaking. ‘Unless something drastic happens, I think we’re OK,’ he finally said, a shade reluctantly. ‘The killing by the TFI man of Marcus Shandy has already been ruled justified, as has that of the killing of Conroy. The fact that Hillary’s injuries weren’t serious also helped your cause. The TFI are making it clear you came in too early and without clearance, but nobody’s looking to cut you off at the knees for that. And with the killer of Fletcher also dead, it’s not looking nearly as bad as it could.’

In other words, Raleigh thought, the brass considered it best to keep it in-house and sweep it under the carpet, and content itself with giving him a rap over the knuckles.

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