The Painter (A DS Jason Smith Thriller Book 28) by Stewart Giles

Author:Stewart Giles [Giles, Stewart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: STILL Books
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

“Henry Harvey has disappeared off the radar,” Smith told DI Smyth inside his office.

After considering what PC Griffin had turned up about the Facebook group the co-owner of the courier company was once again a definite person of interest.

“He’s not at work,” Smith said. “And he’s not at home.”

“Are you sure about this?” DI Smyth said.

“Why didn’t he mention the fact that he knew two of the victims, boss?”

“Perhaps he hasn’t been watching the news.”

“I’m not talking about the news,” Smith said. “I asked him if he knew Jennifer Price and Davina Hawkins and he denied it. He was a member of that Facebook group and when I asked him if he paints, he said he did. He had access to that van, and he cannot provide an alibi for the times of the first two murders.”

“We’ll find him,” DI Smyth said. “And we’ll bring him in for questioning. What was your initial impression of him?”

“He’s a charmer. Good looking bloke, and I reckon he’s always been a big hit with the ladies. I got the feeling he’s well practiced in the art of seduction. We need to search his house.”

“I’m not going to play this game with you again, Smith.”

“I’m not talking about going the warrant route.”

“What other route is there?” DI Smyth said.

“I ask him nicely. Explain to him that if he’s got nothing to hide, he’s got nothing to worry about.”

“Do you really believe he’s The Painter?” DI Smyth said.

“I didn’t get the impression that he was a cold-blooded killer, boss, but it’s been a while and I reckon I’ve got a bit rusty. We’ve got enough pointing in his direction to justify arresting him.”

“I’ll put the word out. Have you had any luck with the painting of Paula Burton?”

“There’s nothing in the painting but her face,” Smith said. “I can’t see where a clue to the next victim could be hidden.”

“Have you considered the possibility that’s because there will be no next victim?”

“For precisely two seconds. Why bother painting her if he’s not going to give us another clue?”

“Have you received anymore emails from him?”

“Not a sausage,” Smith said. “But that means nothing. Perhaps he’s delaying for a reason. Perhaps he’s already taken his next victim. All I know is three of us examined that painting and neither me, Kerry or Baldwin could find anything.”

“What was PC Griffin doing?” DI Smyth said. “He was supposed to be assisting you.”

“Griffin was the one who came up with the link between the victims, boss.”

“I see.”

“And as much as I hate to admit it, the man has been an asset to the team so far. He seems to have a knack for knowing exactly where to look.”

“Does that mean you’re slowly becoming a fan of his?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Smith said. “He got the GPS coordinates straight away, and now he’s come up with the first link. He’s either very sharp, or he's involved in the murders, and I very much doubt the moron has it in him to kill.

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