THE DARING NIGHT by Robert McCracken

Author:Robert McCracken [McCracken, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: THE BOOK FOLKS bestselling crime fiction publishers
Published: 2020-12-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

‘That was a bit strong,’ said Murray on their way back to the car.

‘Believe me, Alan, I could have said a lot more. I’m done with pussy-footing around people, particularly those who are suspects in a murder. How the hell does that man not see a link between the deaths of his employees and this poisoning case? What is he hiding? How can he not know whether his secretary is on leave or whether she’s just taken off somewhere? We need to find out what’s going on before we have any more victims.’

They were on the road back to the city when Murray next ventured to speak.

‘So, how are things, ma’am?’

‘What do you mean – things?’

‘I mean, how are you, how are you feeling at the moment?’

‘Am I holding it together, is that what you want to know?’

‘In a way, yes. You haven’t been the bright and buzzing woman I’m used to working with.’

Tara didn’t reply. She had no sensible answer. Her life had changed irrevocably, she knew that much. She didn’t feel the same about anything: her work, her relationships, her hopes for the future.

Deep within, she felt a determination to get things done, and quickly, as if there may not be a tomorrow. She wiped a single tear from her eye as Murray drove in silence. He was simply showing that he cared, but she couldn’t bring herself to open up to him. Right now, she didn’t think she could open up to anyone.

* * *

At St Anne Street, Tara was secretly pleased to now be included in the main briefing on the poisoning cases. She was asked to report on her investigation into the murder of Maggie Hull and the possibility that this might be linked to the main enquiry. She and Murray sat together listening to Detective Superintendent Richard Myers from Admiral Street station update the staff involved. He, like Harold Tweedy, was a sound detective of more than twenty years’ experience, originally from the Met and particularly accustomed to dealing with emergencies. He had a strong physique, a confident face and a South London accent. He spoke in a manner suggesting that he was very well used to taking charge.

‘The good news is that we have no further incidents or casualties to report,’ he said. ‘Forensic analysis is now centred on the factories in Speke and Birkenhead of Harbinson Fine Foods. Initial test results should be available shortly. We now have information from some of the victims who were taken ill, namely the students, as to where the food product was purchased. Similar traces are in operation for the other food products retrieved from the earlier victims. The stores and supermarkets concerned have been contacted and will be subject to forensic examination. Any questions?’

Tara raised her hand. Myers spotted her and pointed in her direction.

‘Inspector Grogan,’ he said.

‘Sir, it might be useful to examine the CCTV footage from these stores.’

‘And why is that?’

‘I believe that the source of this contamination originates from an individual or individuals from the Merseyside area deliberately applying the poison to a food product.

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