THE FOOTBALL MURDER an addictive crime mystery full of twists by ROY LEWIS

Author:ROY LEWIS [LEWIS, ROY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books Crime thriller and mystery
Published: 2020-12-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

It was an odd feeling, working so closely alongside Charlie Spate. On their return to Newcastle he and Eric had taken a meal together at a country pub, had discussed what they had learned, but agreed they were really no further forward. There was still a wariness in the relationship but at least they had a common aim in view. Before they parted Spate agreed to find out what he could about the progress of the investigation into the killing of Barschel, while Eric would make use of what contacts he had to discover what rumours were circulating along the river.

For Charlie Spate it meant seeking out Elaine Start; for Eric Ward a conversation with Jackie Parton was necessary.

When Charlie walked into Elaine Start’s room at headquarters her reception of him was not welcoming. ‘DCI Spate. What on earth are you doing here?’

Charlie grinned, and perched himself on the edge of her desk, one leg swinging. ‘So they’ve given you a room to yourself instead of a desk in the main base of scene of crime room. Going up in the world, girl, aren’t you?’

She gave him a sour glance, threw down her pen and leaned back in her chair. She took a deep breath. He enjoyed the manner in which her white shirt lifted and tightened. ‘You’re on suspension. You shouldn’t be here. If the ACC comes across you—’

‘Since when did Charteris walk beyond his office and the briefing room?’ Charlie jeered. ‘People go to him — he doesn’t expect to have to spend time visiting the rabble at the coal face.’

She relaxed; now there was a hint of a smile on her mouth: Charlie liked her mouth, too. She shook her head. ‘Even so, it was made clear you were to stay away from the station. What are you after anyway?’

He shrugged, reached out, turned the file on which she had been working to an angle where he could read its contents. She pulled it back away from him with a jerk. ‘Just wanting to get up to speed, that’s all,’ he offered. ‘Who knows, maybe the Chief will decide he can’t do without my undoubted skills after all, and will beg me to come back, all forgiven. Now; it wouldn’t do if I came back ignorant of what has been going on, would it?’

Elaine snorted in disbelief. ‘Call you back? Pigs have a better chance of flying.’

‘Nevertheless, why don’t you tell me the present state of play? Can’t do any harm.’

‘DCI Spate, harm’s your middle name.’ Elaine hesitated, then sighed. ‘Well, to begin with, I’m to be relieved of the investigation into Barschel’s death. Charteris is drafting in Inspector Martin to take over: I’ll be handing the files over to him end of the week.’

‘So Joe Martin’s in the chair. Solid enough guy,’ Charlie admitted. ‘But what have you found out so far?’

She grimaced. ‘Not a great deal. The forensic report is in. It told us the cause of death, as though it wasn’t obvious! The shotgun was clean — no prints, no information as to its provenance.

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