The Predators by Tony J Forder

Author:Tony J Forder [J Forder, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-FOUR

CHASE OPTED NOT TO drive all the way out to Gablecross on the other side of Swindon. Before reporting back on their findings, he wanted time to mull over his impressions and discuss them with Laney. He was therefore disappointed to discover both DCI Knight and Superintendent Waddington waiting for them in his office at the Little Soley police station. Waddington immediately dismissed Claire, apologising to her and citing the need for an urgent senior management meeting. The DC showed her indifference with a mute shrug as she turned and walked away to join Alison May in the reception area.

‘I thought you were going to control her,’ Waddington said brusquely, turning to Chase when it was just the three of them shut away in the office.

‘What do you mean?’ Chase asked, genuinely puzzled.

‘I think you know very well what I mean, Sergeant. The way I hear it, your partner openly mocked those waiting for you in the room upon arrival.’

‘Oh, that? It was nothing. It’s not her fault they’d made a pact with the Devil to trade their sense of humour along with their souls. She made a joke to lighten the mood. The fact that any of them complained about it says more about them than it does Claire.’

‘You would say that. I hear you also got under the Housemaster’s skin.’

Chase realised that Lennon must have called in a complaint during the interview break. He huffed out a deep sigh of annoyance. ‘The man couldn’t stop interrupting. We agreed he could observe, not take part. I was polite but firm the first time I had to speak to him about interfering. Admittedly, I wasn’t quite so respectful the second time. If you ask me, the whining little shit needs to get over himself.’

‘Okay, okay,’ DCI Knight said, adding some edge to her voice. ‘What’s done is done. The purpose of this meeting is to exchange updates and strategise. I suggest we move on.’

Without waiting for confirmation from the DSI, Chase said, ‘In truth, we didn’t get a great deal further. The pair of them had clearly agreed on a story and a strategy, and for the most part it worked for them. Even so, we were able to confirm that both camped on the hillside on the night of Friday the thirteenth of January. That’s crucial to establish because it’s the night we believe Grace Arnold was murdered.’

‘I’m not aware of pathology confirming that,’ Waddington said, looking nonplussed.

Chase shook his head. ‘They haven’t, and they won’t. Speaking to Ray Petchey, he’s unable to narrow the window to a precise date or time. Other evidence points to that Friday night as being the most likely, but there will be no confirmation from Ray. On the other hand, those we question won’t be aware of that.’

Nicole Knight betrayed her disappointment with a soft groan. ‘Lacking a verified time of death is something we’re going to have to address at a later date. For the time being, we work with what we do have and hope the rest of the pieces fall into line.

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