Read Online Against a Dark Sky by Katherine Pathak - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Katherine Pathak
Ads: Link
the team who looked fresh the following morning. He also looked pissed-off. Bevan had expressly requested that her DC not be required to take part in last night’s search. Calder was clearly very unhappy about this. It was fairly obvious every other officer had attended the call out but him. In the heat of the moment, Dani suspected she’d made an error of judgement.
Taking a deep breath, she outlined the events of the previous night, including the revelation of Batra and Graves’ affair. ‘So, what are we thinking?’ Bevan asked the group, scanning each of their faces in turn and inviting their feedback.
Andy stepped forward, his tone brusque. ‘If Joanna Endicott possessed information that could have ended Batra’s marriage, it gives him a motive to kill her.’
‘Yes, but that all depends on whether Philippa Graves actually told Joanna about the affair. I’m not sure we can trust anything the girl says. I think she’s a fantasist,’ Bevan responded.
‘The sexual relationship between Batra and Graves was real enough,’ Driscoll pointed out. ‘I sense that Joanna was a clever and perceptive type of woman. Whether Philippa told her about it or not, she may already have known.’
‘That’s a valid point,’ Bevan conceded.
‘But the fact Daniel Goff came back to the bothy for something, still makes him our prime suspect, along with his evasion of the police. If the feller’s innocent then why hasn’t he come forward, why all the cloak and dagger?’ said DC Kendal, the young man who had been researching Goff’s background.
‘He might be frightened,’ Andy suggested grumpily, refusing to elaborate on the point.
‘Have we got any more information on the assault allegation made against Goff in Stirling?’ Bevan demanded.
‘The police records of the incident were very vague, but we’ve managed to track down the woman involved. Her maiden name was Imelda Cabello. She married last year and is now known as Imelda Watson. She’s 26, and lives in Glasgow with her husband.’ Driscoll handed the sheet of paper to Bevan.
‘Great work. I’ll get Sergeant Boag to pay her a visit. Any luck with old friends or workmates of Goff who still live in the area?’
Driscoll shook his head and frowned. ‘Nothing yet, Ma’am. It was seven years ago and no one seems to remember the guy. Kendal had the idea of posting a query onto the College’s Facebook page to see if someone out there recalls him. We’re going to try that this morning.’
‘Excellent idea, Kendal.’ Bevan looked directly at the lad. He squirmed with embarrassment. ‘Let me know straight away if you get a result.’
Dani allowed Andy to drive the police jeep over to the bothy. They were going to inform the three witnesses that they were free to return home. Dani didn’t have the resources to protect them 24 hours a day. She was pretty sure none of the group would attempt to leave the country.
Andy jumped inside and started up the engine before Bevan had even opened the passenger door. Once they were half-way to their destination, Dani broke the awkward silence. ‘I should have got Driscoll to call you last night Andy, I’m sorry. It was an insult to your rank.’
Andy kept his eyes glued to the route ahead. ‘Why did you exclude me, Ma’am? It undermined my position in the team.’
Dani sighed. ‘I’d taken the job of guarding the bothy so that one of us could get a good night’s sleep. I need a partner who can be on the ball even if I’m not. I rely on you.’
‘Is
Taking a deep breath, she outlined the events of the previous night, including the revelation of Batra and Graves’ affair. ‘So, what are we thinking?’ Bevan asked the group, scanning each of their faces in turn and inviting their feedback.
Andy stepped forward, his tone brusque. ‘If Joanna Endicott possessed information that could have ended Batra’s marriage, it gives him a motive to kill her.’
‘Yes, but that all depends on whether Philippa Graves actually told Joanna about the affair. I’m not sure we can trust anything the girl says. I think she’s a fantasist,’ Bevan responded.
‘The sexual relationship between Batra and Graves was real enough,’ Driscoll pointed out. ‘I sense that Joanna was a clever and perceptive type of woman. Whether Philippa told her about it or not, she may already have known.’
‘That’s a valid point,’ Bevan conceded.
‘But the fact Daniel Goff came back to the bothy for something, still makes him our prime suspect, along with his evasion of the police. If the feller’s innocent then why hasn’t he come forward, why all the cloak and dagger?’ said DC Kendal, the young man who had been researching Goff’s background.
‘He might be frightened,’ Andy suggested grumpily, refusing to elaborate on the point.
‘Have we got any more information on the assault allegation made against Goff in Stirling?’ Bevan demanded.
‘The police records of the incident were very vague, but we’ve managed to track down the woman involved. Her maiden name was Imelda Cabello. She married last year and is now known as Imelda Watson. She’s 26, and lives in Glasgow with her husband.’ Driscoll handed the sheet of paper to Bevan.
‘Great work. I’ll get Sergeant Boag to pay her a visit. Any luck with old friends or workmates of Goff who still live in the area?’
Driscoll shook his head and frowned. ‘Nothing yet, Ma’am. It was seven years ago and no one seems to remember the guy. Kendal had the idea of posting a query onto the College’s Facebook page to see if someone out there recalls him. We’re going to try that this morning.’
‘Excellent idea, Kendal.’ Bevan looked directly at the lad. He squirmed with embarrassment. ‘Let me know straight away if you get a result.’
Dani allowed Andy to drive the police jeep over to the bothy. They were going to inform the three witnesses that they were free to return home. Dani didn’t have the resources to protect them 24 hours a day. She was pretty sure none of the group would attempt to leave the country.
Andy jumped inside and started up the engine before Bevan had even opened the passenger door. Once they were half-way to their destination, Dani broke the awkward silence. ‘I should have got Driscoll to call you last night Andy, I’m sorry. It was an insult to your rank.’
Andy kept his eyes glued to the route ahead. ‘Why did you exclude me, Ma’am? It undermined my position in the team.’
Dani sighed. ‘I’d taken the job of guarding the bothy so that one of us could get a good night’s sleep. I need a partner who can be on the ball even if I’m not. I rely on you.’
‘Is
Similar Books
