The Kate Redman Mysteries Volume 4 (Pulse, Fury, Scimitar) by Celina Grace

Author:Celina Grace
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Isaro Publishing Ltd
Published: 2020-03-04T20:38:58+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Late that same afternoon, Kate went looking for DI Randall, cardboard folder in her hand. She found his office and knocked on the door.

“Any luck?” he asked her. He looked relaxed again and Kate realised that she did actually find him quite attractive. Hmm, perhaps dinner isn’t such a good idea, Kate.

“I did, actually. It may be nothing, but – well, I just wondered if I could run it past you?”

“Of course. Come in.”

Kate shut the door behind her and sat down opposite him. “I went through everything remotely connected with William Bathford. Apparently, one of the girls from the home, a Karen Black, came to this station in the late nineteen nineties, and reported that she’d been sexually abused by him. She apparently had made another accusation about him before but I can’t find any record of that at all.”

DI Randall lifted his eyebrows. “Right. So there was an investigation?”

Kate pulled a face. “Actually, I’m not sure there was. Apparently, this girl, Karen, had a history of reporting abuse. She grew up in care and she reported several of her foster families. I think they were investigated and nothing was found.”

DI Randall leant forward. “So, she reported it and nothing was done?”

Kate flipped through the pages of a report. “Nothing was done. Until another girl, a Melanie Smith, reported Bathford as well.”

“Ah. Can I have a look?” Kate handed over the folder and DI Randall began to read.

Kate let him read for a minute and then spoke again. “Anyway, there was an investigation into the home, but after a few weeks, Melanie Smith withdrew her accusation. She said Karen had bullied her into reporting it and it wasn’t true. So, any case against Bathford collapsed, and the investigation was stopped.”

DI Randall looked up from the file. “Right. So, what happened then? Sorry, I know I’m the one who works here, but this was way before my time. I was in London then.” They both laughed before he carried on. “What happened to the girls?”

Kate grimaced. “Melanie Smith was placed in another care home. Karen ran away. I haven’t been able to trace her yet.”

“Oh dear.”

“Exactly. Anyway, when I go to the council tomorrow, I’m going to see if I can find a link to what happened with these girls and whether Amanda Callihan was involved in any way.”

DI Randall looked impressed. “That sounds like a good plan.”

“Thank you.” Kate sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap. On impulse, she said “If that dinner invitation’s still available, I’ll take you up on it.”

DI Randall looked both surprised and pleased. “Oh, yeah, sure. When are you ready to go?”

“Whenever you are.” Just for safety’s sake, Kate added, “I just need to get back to my hotel at a reasonable hour. I’ve got to give my partner a call.”

“Sure.”

***

The restaurant that he took her to was within walking distance of the Whitehaven station, and on the way, Kate was able to take in a bit more of the city.

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