Read Online Animal Instinct by James R. Vance - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: James R. Vance
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rooms free until further notice. You will be well in pocket, Sean. If anyone gets suspicious or asks about them, just say it's a block booking by some cultural studies group.”
“So, are you going to tell me who these guys are?”
“Like I said…students. They're young lads from different areas of the country, some from the north, some from the midlands and some from the south. You don't worry yourself now. Enjoy and take the money. Any real problems, contact me.”
He passed a small hand-written card to Sean. “You can reach me on that number any time, day or night. It'll be a breeze. Keep one room free. I'll be dropping in from time to time and staying over. Oh, make sure it's en-suite. I don't like sharing a bog.”
Some breeze, thought Sean. As he left the upbeat Irishman to devour the remainder of his breakfast, he reflected on the proverb ‘It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good’.
*****
D.C.I. Wainwright leaned back in his chair. “Now that the family have been informed, I'm issuing a statement to the media at ten thirty this morning. I hope that the publicity will jog someone's memory. If we can pinpoint the exact time she left home and caught the bus into town, I wouldn't be averse to doing a reconstruction.”
“That's if she caught the bus, as her friend stated,” said Massey.
“Maybe the bus driver could confirm that. Let's face it; she was a bit of a ‘head-turner’. Somebody must have noticed her.”
“I'll check with the bus company and find out who was rostered on that route on Thursday morning. If we arrange a recon, how far do we run with it?”
“How do you mean?”
“According to her friend, Fiona, she was heading eventually for Northwich. If she took the local service from Moulton, she would have to get off at the Square and walk down High Street to the bus station or wait for a connection at the bus stop over the bridge. If she was intercepted en route, was it at that point or did she make the connection to be snatched on arrival at Northwich or later still between the terminus there and the clinic?”
“If the incident occurred at Northwich, I can't see any logic in dumping her back here. I suggest we run a recon from her house to the bus station, when we have specific times confirmed.”
“I'll get the team out again. Now the bank holiday's over we can pick up what was missed over the weekend. According to forensics, the cottage was clean, so it'll be house to house along the route you suggested. Bear in mind there is also the possibility that she got a lift with someone.”
“We can squash that with any witnesses, especially the bus driver. What are you doing about the boyfriend?”
“Apparently he's still holidaying with his friends in Spain. D. S. Roker is checking that out. I still feel it was opportunist. No prime suspect, no motive apart from the pregnancy. But according to her friend, Fiona Wilson, no-one else was privy to her condition, not even the boyfriend.”
“What about other relationships?”
“Again, Wilson was adamant that she was not one to sleep around. Therefore, it would be highly improbable that she had been involved with anyone else.”
“Well, if it wasn't premeditated it's likely that mistakes were made and there's always the chance of some evidence turning up, particularly if we can establish the location of the actual crime scene.”
Massey left Wilkinson's office deep in thought. He decided to check with Nuttall again. He was pleased to learn that there was some additional news.
“I've examined the clothing which you brought in. As you guessed, the various items carried that peculiar smell, together with those same traces of a caustic substance. However, the dress was stained particularly on the rear, suggesting that she was possibly in a sitting position when she came into contact with whatever the substance was.”
“Not on her back, then?” asked Massey, thinking about the possible rape scenario.
“Difficult to say.
“So, are you going to tell me who these guys are?”
“Like I said…students. They're young lads from different areas of the country, some from the north, some from the midlands and some from the south. You don't worry yourself now. Enjoy and take the money. Any real problems, contact me.”
He passed a small hand-written card to Sean. “You can reach me on that number any time, day or night. It'll be a breeze. Keep one room free. I'll be dropping in from time to time and staying over. Oh, make sure it's en-suite. I don't like sharing a bog.”
Some breeze, thought Sean. As he left the upbeat Irishman to devour the remainder of his breakfast, he reflected on the proverb ‘It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good’.
*****
D.C.I. Wainwright leaned back in his chair. “Now that the family have been informed, I'm issuing a statement to the media at ten thirty this morning. I hope that the publicity will jog someone's memory. If we can pinpoint the exact time she left home and caught the bus into town, I wouldn't be averse to doing a reconstruction.”
“That's if she caught the bus, as her friend stated,” said Massey.
“Maybe the bus driver could confirm that. Let's face it; she was a bit of a ‘head-turner’. Somebody must have noticed her.”
“I'll check with the bus company and find out who was rostered on that route on Thursday morning. If we arrange a recon, how far do we run with it?”
“How do you mean?”
“According to her friend, Fiona, she was heading eventually for Northwich. If she took the local service from Moulton, she would have to get off at the Square and walk down High Street to the bus station or wait for a connection at the bus stop over the bridge. If she was intercepted en route, was it at that point or did she make the connection to be snatched on arrival at Northwich or later still between the terminus there and the clinic?”
“If the incident occurred at Northwich, I can't see any logic in dumping her back here. I suggest we run a recon from her house to the bus station, when we have specific times confirmed.”
“I'll get the team out again. Now the bank holiday's over we can pick up what was missed over the weekend. According to forensics, the cottage was clean, so it'll be house to house along the route you suggested. Bear in mind there is also the possibility that she got a lift with someone.”
“We can squash that with any witnesses, especially the bus driver. What are you doing about the boyfriend?”
“Apparently he's still holidaying with his friends in Spain. D. S. Roker is checking that out. I still feel it was opportunist. No prime suspect, no motive apart from the pregnancy. But according to her friend, Fiona Wilson, no-one else was privy to her condition, not even the boyfriend.”
“What about other relationships?”
“Again, Wilson was adamant that she was not one to sleep around. Therefore, it would be highly improbable that she had been involved with anyone else.”
“Well, if it wasn't premeditated it's likely that mistakes were made and there's always the chance of some evidence turning up, particularly if we can establish the location of the actual crime scene.”
Massey left Wilkinson's office deep in thought. He decided to check with Nuttall again. He was pleased to learn that there was some additional news.
“I've examined the clothing which you brought in. As you guessed, the various items carried that peculiar smell, together with those same traces of a caustic substance. However, the dress was stained particularly on the rear, suggesting that she was possibly in a sitting position when she came into contact with whatever the substance was.”
“Not on her back, then?” asked Massey, thinking about the possible rape scenario.
“Difficult to say.
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