THE BLEEDING HEART KILLER an absolutely addictive crime thriller with a huge twist (Detective Mike Nash Murder Mystery Book 11) by BILL KITSON

Author:BILL KITSON [KITSON, BILL]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Joffe Books crime thriller and mystery
Published: 2020-12-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

‘Can you spare a few minutes for Roy Archer?’

The Netherdale Gazette editor Becky Pollard frowned at her secretary’s question. She didn’t like Archer, and was already beginning to wonder why her uncle had hired the man as a crime reporter, and how she could go about replacing him. He’d been employed just before her return and he didn’t know the area, having been based in Manchester previously, and as far as Becky could see, he didn’t care much for the routine a reporter normally followed. Becky had known several crime reporters, top-class ones, and had even spent a short period of time in the role herself. Archer belonged to a type she recognized only too well. Lazy, willing to let anyone else do the work for him, and happy to write up stories as long as he wasn’t inconvenienced by the trouble involved in gathering the news. She also suspected that Archer would be more than happy to sacrifice truth and accuracy for the sake of filling the column inches.

‘Very well, if I must, but if he’s in here longer than five minutes, interrupt me with an urgent call.’

Back in the outer office, Becky’s secretary jerked a thumb in the direction of the connecting door. As Archer walked towards it, the secretary made a careful note of the exact time. She didn’t like Archer either.

‘Sorry to intrude, Becky.’ Archer didn’t look or sound sorry.

‘Make it brief, and the name is Ms Pollard.’

Ignoring the rebuke in her tone, Archer continued. ‘The thing is, I’m coming up against a brick wall about these murders. The police won’t cooperate. In fact they won’t even admit they are murders. They’re persisting in calling them unexplained deaths. I’ve tried talking to that Fleming woman, but she won’t budge an inch. It isn’t even as if she’s heading up the enquiry. It’s being handled by the hick from the sticks.’

Becky was proud of the fact that her expression didn’t change sufficiently for Archer to notice. ‘Who are you referring to?’

‘The man’s name is Nash. He’s supposed to be in charge at Helmsdale. Why they’re letting a deadbeat DI from a piddling little place like that take charge of a major investigation like this mystifies me.’

‘Really? I can see that it does baffle you, but then you are new to this part of the world, aren’t you?’

Archer’s response was little short of hostile. ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

‘It might help to excuse your abysmal ignorance. In the meantime, I suggest you check out the files before you go around slagging off local law enforcement officers. And while you’re at it, start living up to the job description on your business card. It says “crime reporter”, so get out there and investigate instead of waiting for the stories to come to you. Now you’ll have to excuse me. I have work to do.’

‘But what am I supposed to do?’

‘I said that was all. Close the door on your way out.’

* * *

That evening, Archer confided in a colleague, one of the few who didn’t mind drinking with him.

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