The Shadows of the Past: A Christmas-themed crime thriller (The West Yorkshire Crime Thrillers Book 13) by Lee Brook

Author:Lee Brook [Brook, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Middleton Park Press
Published: 2023-12-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

The morning sun barely penetrated the dense clouds over Leeds as Detective Inspector George Beaumont strode into the station, his mind already churning with the complexities of the case. The station buzzed with the usual activity, but for George, the atmosphere was charged with a new tension.

Detective Sergeant Yolanda Williams approached him, a file in her hand, her expression grave. “Sir, we’ve got the results from the lab. Lindsey Yardley’s prints and DNA were on the Christmas decorations from the Seacroft residence.”

George’s stride paused, the implications of this discovery settling over him like a heavy cloak. “Yardley’s?” he echoed, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place yet raising more questions.

Yolanda nodded, her brows furrowed. “Yes, we cross-referenced it specifically against the Contamination Elimination Database. It’s a definitive match.”

George rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “But why weren’t her prints or DNA found at the previous four murder scenes?”

Yolanda shrugged slightly, her usual composure tinged with uncertainty. “That’s the million-pound question, isn’t it, sir? It suggests she was more careful, or perhaps not directly involved in those.”

George motioned for Yolanda to follow him to his office, his mind racing. Once inside, he sat down, leaning back in his chair, his gaze distant.

“We need to scrutinise every aspect of Yardley’s life—her activities, associations, everything,” George said, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Yolanda, standing by the desk, replied, “We’re already on it. But if she’s involved, she’s been extraordinarily cautious until now.”

Detective Constable Tashan Blackburn entered the office, a folder under his arm. “Sir, I’ve been reviewing Yardley’s financials and communications. There’s nothing overtly suspicious, but there are gaps, periods where her activities are unaccounted for.”

George’s eyes narrowed. “Gaps? Around the time of the murders?”

“Possibly, sir,” Tashan replied, his youthful face marked with concentration. “It’s like she’s living a double life.”

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation settled over them. George stood up, pacing the small space. “We’re missing something, a key piece of this puzzle. Yardley’s involvement doesn’t fit the pattern cleanly.”

Yolanda chimed in, “Could she be a red herring, planted to throw us off the scent?”

George stopped pacing, turning to face his team. “It’s possible. But we can’t ignore the evidence. For now, we treat her as a primary suspect.”

The team nodded in agreement, a silent acknowledgement of the path they were about to tread.

George looked out the window, his gaze settling on the city skyline. “This case is more than just a series of murders. It’s a web of deceit and hidden truths. And we’re going to unravel it.”

As Yolanda and Tashan left the office, George remained with his thoughts a complex tapestry of theories and possibilities. The case had taken a turn, and with it, the stakes had risen.

* * *

Early morning light filtered through the clouds as Detective Sergeant Yolanda Williams and the team, including Detective Constable Jay Scott, arrived at Dr Lindsey Yardley’s residence, the search warrant firmly in Yolanda’s grasp. The air was crisp, carrying a sense of solemn duty as they prepared to delve deeper into the life of the respected pathologist.

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