Read Online Indian Summer by Elizabeth Darrell - Free Book Online Page B

took a look at what was going on around the base, until the whole shebang packed up after the locals were shooed out. No sign of the Corp,’ said Kelly. ‘It doesn’t mean he wasn’t there in that mass of people.’
    â€˜What did you do after that, until midnight?’
    They were starting to resent her approach, and reacted. ‘D’you want every detail, including the number of times we visted the pisser?’ demanded Beavis.
    Heather had been questioning soldiers long enough to be able to handle anything they might say. ‘If it’s relevant to the murder case, yes.’ She added, straightfaced, ‘You might have to give it as evidence in court.’
    Kelly then said quietly, ‘We went for fish and chips and a jar or two, chatted up a couple of girls who’d been running the lost kids corner all day. Must’ve been around twenty-three hundred when we turned in.’
    â€˜Did you get the girls’ names?’
    â€˜Fanny and Annie,’ offered Beavis belligerently.
    Heather gave him a glare. ‘Don’t get smart, sonny!’
    â€˜But that’s right, Sarge,’ insisted Kelly. ‘You can check.’
    â€˜I will. So you didn’t sight Corporal Keane at any time yesterday, or see anything you thought suspicious or odd?’
    â€˜I wish we had,’ murmured Beavis, suddenly serious. ‘To come through six months out there safely only to . . . which bastard would do that to him?’
    Heather prepared to leave. ‘We’ll get him, don’t fret. Have a good time in the Rockies.’
    â€˜We did see one of those guys who’d been jousting, as we came back to our rooms,’ ventured Kelly suddenly. ‘He was still kitted out in armour, with the visor down. We reckoned he was having it off with someone he shouldn’t and didn’t want to be recognized. Why else would he be riding around dressed that way after dark?’
    When Max arrived Tom was in his office drinking coffee. He got to his feet and held up the mug. ‘Kettle’s only just boiled.’
    Max diverted to the counter where drinks were made by members of 26 Section. Above it was a cupboard containing a tin of biscuits, another filled with small cakes and tarts, and a wide selection of crisps and chocolate bars, all of which frequently had to substitute for a meal. Unhealthy, but very satisfying. Although he had enjoyed a large lunch just over two hours ago, Max helped himself to two chocolate digestives and returned to Tom’s office with them and a full mug.
    â€˜What have we got so far?’ he asked, pulling a chair round to sit facing his 2IC .
    Tom leaned back and outlined what he knew for certain. ‘Piercey phoned in a report on his search of the Keanes’ home. No signs of foul play or abduction. Half-empty drawers and wardrobe, tidy house and absence of nappies, feeding bottle, pushchair and handbag suggests willing, organized departure of Mrs Keane and her children. Piercey says there’s visual evidence of marital violence in their bedroom, which supports the neighbour’s report of hearing them rowing on Friday night.’
    Max munched a biscuit. ‘Points to a classic case of aggrieved wife deciding to put some distance between herself and a violent partner until things cool down, Tom.’
    â€˜She could have killed him before leaving the scene.’
    â€˜ I’m the one who chases wild geese, not you, and that’s so wild I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.’
    Tom grinned. ‘You’re supposed to be planning a romantic tour of Germany, not finding fault with my ideas.’
    â€˜ OK , let’s probe the implications of an organized departure. We must assume she didn’t go directly after the row on Friday night, because fear of further violence from her husband would’ve meant taking the kids from their beds and snatching up the minimum necessities to make a rapid