The Twelve Deaths of Christmas: An Advent Calendar Novel - 25 days, 25 chapters (The West Yorkshire Crime Thrillers Book 20) by Lee Brook

Author:Lee Brook [Brook, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Middleton Park Press
Published: 2024-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

Thursday December 12th

George Beaumont stood in Detective Superintendent Jim Smith’s office, watching social media updates scroll across the monitor.

“This is an inside job,” George said. “Someone with direct access to the crime scene is feeding information to the press.”

Smith’s Geordie accent thickened with anger. “That information was restricted. Crime scene access was limited to essential personnel only.”

“Yet here it is.” George gestured to the screen where Paige McGuiness’ latest article displayed crime scene details with suspicious accuracy. “Published within hours of discovery.”

“Right,” Smith straightened, his bulk radiating authority. “Full internal investigation, starting now. I want every person who accessed that scene identified and interviewed. Every phone call, every text, every email monitored.”

“Including museum staff,” George added. “Dr Ainsworth and Professor Whitfield both examined the Victorian artefacts before we’d finished processing.”

“Professional Communications are drafting new protocols,” Thompson said from her position by the door. “All case information goes through my office first. No direct contact with press, no unofficial comments, no social media posts.”

“What about the museum security breach?” George asked. “That rope came from their Victorian collection. We need to know how someone accessed it.”

Smith nodded. “Get Tashan on it. Full security audit—access logs, CCTV footage, staff credentials. I want to know everyone who’s touched those artefacts in the past month.”

“As for you, Beaumont, I want new protocols in place effective immediately which you’ll implement personally:”

He began listing points on his fingers:

“One: All crime scene access requires dual authentication. No one enters without explicit authorisation and escort.

“Two: All evidence processing goes through a single chain of custody. No informal examinations, no unauthorised authentication.

“Three: Communications blackout. Team members surrender phones before entering crime scenes. No exceptions.

“Four: Museum staff access is restricted and monitored. If they need to examine artefacts, they do it under direct supervision.

“Five: Press contacts go through Thompson only. Anyone caught leaking information faces immediate suspension and investigation.”

George nodded, already mentally adjusting their procedures. “What about current museum security?”

“Already on it, sir,” Tashan’s deep voice joined the conversation. “I’ve got Maya analysing their access logs. Multiple anomalies already flagged.”

“Such as?”

“Dr Ainsworth’s security code being used when CCTV shows her elsewhere. Professor Whitfield accessing restricted archives outside normal hours. And several valuable Victorian artefacts have been moved without proper documentation.”

“Moved where?” George demanded.

“That’s the thing,” Tashan replied grimly. “No record of new location. They’ve just… vanished from inventory.”

“Christ.” Smith ran a hand over his face. “So we’ve got unauthorised access, missing artefacts, and immediate leaks of restricted information. This isn’t just a security breach—it’s a systematic compromise.”

George turned to his team. Go home for today, but I want Kit Ainsworth and James Whitfield interviewed,” George said firmly. “Separately, tomorrow morning. Full background checks, and a complete audit of their recent activities. Something’s not right with their level of access and involvement.”

“Sir,” Susie appeared. “Diana Watts from the museum archives wants to speak with us. Says she has concerns about unauthorised document access.”

“Take DS Williams with you,” George ordered. “Full statement, recorded interview. Find out exactly what she’s seen and who’s involved.

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