The Santa Killer by Ross Greenwood

Author:Ross Greenwood [Greenwood, Ross]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

57

DI BARTON

Barton got out of the vehicle, went around to Ken’s side and opened the door.

‘I need you to come to the station tomorrow and sign a statement,’ he said.

‘Of course. What happens here now?’

‘Ring a glazier so you can have your conservatory made safe and secure. I’ll let you know what we decide to do with Heidi. Just one last question. Have you had any other threats at all?’

‘What kind of threats?’

‘Maybe a feeling of being followed or a falling out with a customer.’

‘No, although some idiot broke the aerial off the back of my BMW a month ago, and someone smeared shit on my car door handle the day before Halloween.’

‘Did you report it to the police?’

‘You’re joking. About eight years ago, someone smashed the showroom window. I reported that, but the person who came and took the details only got back in touch to say that he wouldn’t be taking it any further without more evidence. My brother got acid poured on his Volvo a few years ago and none of you were interested in that, never mind a snapped antenna.’

‘Okay. I’m sorry to hear about that. We’ll be in touch. Keep hold of my number. You did the right thing calling me. If anything else strange happens, ring me again.’

Ken wandered around to the rear of his house, and Barton got back into the car. Leicester had a small smile on his face.

‘I even feel a little sorry for him. Where to now, boss?’

‘Travelodge.’

Leicester was surprised, then he twigged what Barton was thinking.

‘You reckon one of the Hulses’ kids did it?’ he said.

‘Correct.’

‘I don’t trust Ashlynn, but I can’t see her as a baseball-wielding psycho much more than I can her mum.’

‘It might be Ashlynn, but she didn’t appear guilty and kids aren’t usually that cool. I do think she knows more than she was letting on though.’

‘One of the brothers, then, and she was aware, or at least suspected they were up to mischief.’

‘Yes. We would have got to them eventually now we don’t suspect Cameron or Heidi.’ Barton rubbed his chin. ‘I wouldn’t normally have considered children for something like this. It isn’t the type of crime they commit.’

‘No, it’s a lot of planning. So why do you think it’s one of them?’

‘That whole family is under incredible pressure and living in unacceptable conditions. The kids are probably hungry. It’s hard work filling up teenage boys even with a healthy bank balance. Most children don’t have any idea what’s going on in their parents’ lives, which is why divorce is often such a shock. That’s the way it should be. You protect them from money worries. You try not to quarrel too forcefully in front of them. It’s what parents do.’

‘I thought it was healthier now to argue in front of the kids so they don’t get an unreasonable view of what marriage is like.’

Barton chuckled.

‘I would say the jury is out on that. What I think is that Cameron is an angry man, while Heidi is at the end of her tether.

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