The Dying Season by Rachel Amphlett

Author:Rachel Amphlett [Amphlett, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781915231123
Publisher: Saxon Publishing

TWENTY-EIGHT

Laura paced the grease-streaked concrete floor of Harlington’s garage, alternatively scrolling through new text messages and peering out through the open doors to the forecourt beyond.

Rather than try to locate the three men who worked for Harlington, the owner had suggested he call them and arrange for them to be interviewed at the garage to save time, something which she and Barnes had seized upon with enthusiasm.

Her colleague was currently interviewing the older of the remaining staff members beside a steel bench strewn with power tools, their voices a murmur while they perched on a pair of well-used stools.

Despite the open doors, the air was musty with the pungent aromas of engine oil, lubricant and – in anticipation of the predicted early winter – antifreeze.

She shivered, the wind turning and creeping through the gap in the doors, and tucked her phone into her pocket before buttoning her wool coat before flipping up the collar to counteract the draught.

The sound of a car drawing closer piqued her interest, and she walked out to the forecourt as a sporty blue hatchback turned in from the road, sound system blaring.

A scrawny man climbed out, his brow knitted as he caught sight of her and pulled a sweatshirt over his head.

‘Are you the detective?’ he asked, aiming his key fob at the car and crossing to where she waited.

‘DC Laura Hanway,’ she said, holding out her warrant card. ‘You must be Sam Hennant.’

‘I am.’

‘Thanks for coming in on your day off.’

He shrugged, adjusting the short ponytail at the nape of his neck. ‘I reckon Dale would’ve done the same for me if he were in my shoes.’

‘Come on, let’s get inside. It’s moderately warmer in there.’

‘You’d never make a mechanic, detective.’

‘Trust me, I know.’

She smiled and led the way through the doors and towards a pair of plastic garden chairs that Harlington had found at the back of the garage, now set out in the opposite corner to where Barnes and the other staff member were talking.

Sam nodded to his colleague, shoved his hands in the kangaroo pocket of his sweatshirt and sat opposite her. ‘What do you want to know?’

‘Do you work here full-time?’

‘Part-time. I do four days here, and one at college. I’ve only got another eight months to go, and then I’m fully qualified.’ He smiled shyly. ‘Gerry’s already offered me a full-time job when I’m done.’

‘That’s good. Takes some of the stress out of finishing the course, I expect.’

‘It does, yeah.’ Sam wiggled in his chair and leaned closer. ‘So, do you know who shot Dale?’

‘It’s an ongoing investigation. What we’re trying to do today is understand why Dale was killed, and what he was doing up at the White Hart. Did he seem out of sorts last week, perhaps nervous about anything?’

‘Not that I noticed. We were busy Monday – Tuesday’s me day off, so I can’t tell you anything about that – and Wednesday was flat out. It’s why I like working here. The time goes really quick.’

‘Gerry mentioned Dale got a phone call last Monday and it got pretty heated.

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