THE CHALK MAN an absolutely gripping crime mystery with a massive twist (Detective Rutherford Barnes Mysteries Book 4) by ADAM LYNDON

Author:ADAM LYNDON [LYNDON, ADAM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JOFFE BOOKS crime thrillers and mysteries
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-One

Barnes barrelled down the stairs and checked out in a hurry, the Kenley file having been shoved, unbound, into his courier bag.

He checked his watch. Kane wasn’t due for another twenty minutes. He was going to miss him.

He hurried down Grand Parade, a fierce blast of wind suddenly blowing him off course. He steadied himself against the railings outside a hotel, then carried on along the seafront towards town, when his phone rang again.

“DI Barnes? This is Gareth. From the trials management unit. We spoke yesterday.”

He didn’t sound cheerful today, he sounded perplexed. Barnes felt he could almost predict what the man was going to say.

“What’s up?” Barnes said. “I’m just off to this case conference.”

“I’m sorry? Are you outside? All I can hear is wind noise.”

Barnes spun around on the spot, trying to angle himself against the wind. Waves the colour of oxidised copper, adorned with foamy white frills, crashed angrily against the shingle.

He took temporary shelter in the entrance doorway of the Lansdowne Hotel.

“How now?”

“A bit better.”

“You were saying.”

“This trial you’ve supposedly got a case conference for. R. v. Kenley. Numerous charges. When did you say it was?”

“Next week. Not sure of the date. Supposedly it was suddenly listed — my boss summoned me back from my holiday to attend the conference.”

“So he told you it was next week?”

“Yes. Somebody senior from the CPS called him in a panic, apparently. Wanted the conference ASAP.”

“You don’t know the name of this prosecutor, I don’t suppose?”

“No. My boss will have it. I’m just about to ring him. What are you driving at, Gareth?”

“Well, I can’t find anything on the system or anywhere to confirm the trial has been brought forward. And there’s a ton of stuff outstanding. Disclosure, defence statement, the enquiries on the last CPS action plan haven’t been returned yet — they’re with you, by the way. We are very far from being ready. Not only that, but the venue hasn’t been locked down yet. Apparently there’s some suggestion that the defendant may be at some risk, so it may go out of county. Possibly to the Bailey.”

“Are you saying, Gareth, that this information about the sudden change in trial date is science fiction?”

“Well, unless someone knows something I don’t — which is possible, but unlikely, given that we’re the trials management unit. Clue’s in the title. But yes, it sounds like false info.”

“Thanks, Gareth.”

“He’s a gangster or something, isn’t he? Someone getting nobbled by laying a false trail? Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen it. These baddies try all sorts.”

Or ensuring I’m out of the picture so my family can be got at. Again.

“You could very well be right. Thanks.”

“Okay.”

“Wait — one more thing. You said yesterday there was a meeting room booked for this case conference?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What name was it booked under?”

“Hold on, let me find it . . . Sandra Pearce. Hmm.”

Barnes shut his eyes. “Not one of your staff, I’m guessing.”

“No. Certainly not.”

“OK. Thanks.”

Barnes doubled his pace, not entirely sure of his destination.

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