Her Last Chance (DI Crow Book 1) by HJ Reed

Author:HJ Reed [Reed, HJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: 2023-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

15

DCI Helston reaches across her desk and switches off the Dictaphone. ‘Okay, Al. So what you’re saying is that your ex-wife’s former boyfriend has miraculously regained the use of his legs and is wandering around the city dressed in a gangster outfit when he’s not having sex with the local prostitutes in West Hill? You’re sure Christine wasn’t mistaken?’

‘Chrissie doesn’t make mistakes – not about things like that,’ I tell her. ‘Plus, I don’t believe the dead woman, Alison Crawley, was working as a prostitute. What if Markham had set her up there, was paying her rent, using her for some scam or other?’

Grace waves a dismissive hand. ‘A bloody expensive way to set up a con – and who would have been the target? She didn’t have any money and neither, from what we’ve managed to find out, did her family. Sorry, I don’t buy it. But I agree, something doesn’t add up. Until we’ve found Markham though, we’re not likely to find out. What concerns me far more than his shady financial life is any connection he might have with the murder. It may be none, but he needs to be eliminated. The sooner we can do that, the better – I don’t have the manpower to go dashing up blind alleys.’

‘And the fact he’s been conning people out of their life savings, probably for years?’

‘Not our case, Al. I’ll alert the fraud squad, and they can look for him and his partner, Michael Swann. When they find either of them, we’ll be informed. I’ll send them through a copy of that list Christine gave you, and one of their people will go round and interview her.’

So far Larson, hunched beside me, has kept his mouth shut. Now, he looks from me to Grace, horrified. ‘That’s all you’re going to do? After what he’s done to Christine and probably dozens of others?’

I clear my throat, and Grace sighs. ‘Believe me, Mr Larson, the fraud squad takes this sort of thing very seriously. They’ll catch him, you can be sure of that. There’s also the question of possible benefit fraud if he’s been faking his disability, and once those people are on the case, they don’t let go. Meanwhile, I didn’t call you both in here to talk about Terry Markham.’

‘So why are we here, Grace? You do realise Rosie’s due in court in less than an hour’s time?’

‘And that’s one reason for keeping the pair of you here,’ she shoots back. I feel Larson stiffen next to me, but he doesn’t get the chance to protest. ‘In the first place,’ she goes on, ‘I want to avoid any repetition of last week’s performance at the magistrates’ court, and in the second place it’s too dangerous. There’s already been one attempt on your life, Mr Larson, and I’m not about to risk another.’ Her expression softens. ‘Believe me, I understand how difficult this is for both of you. Carol Dodds has had a long conversation with Rosie, so she understands the situation, and I’ve arranged an escorted visit for you this afternoon.

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