Read Online On A Dark Sea (The DCI Dani Bevan Detective Novels Book 2) by Katherine Pathak - Free Book Online

more.’
                  ‘But I’ve come up with an interesting line of enquiry. It seems that Sinclair frequented a bar in Aberdeen. When I did some online checks into the place, I discovered that it had been raided on several occasions. It appeared that a number of the clientele had been involved in smuggling of various types. I really think it’s worth looking into more deeply.’
                  ‘I’m sure that DI Lyons is already doing that, Bill. If you’ve discovered this piece of information, then they must have too.’
                  Bill let out a grunt that suggested he didn’t share his friend’s faith that this would necessarily be the case.
                  ‘Just be careful. Whoever murdered Terence Sinclair is clearly very dangerous. If there is smuggling involved then we’re talking about organised crime. Terry might have been executed by a rival organisation. Isn’t Louise bringing the boys down this weekend?’
                  ‘Yes,’ Bill was forced to admit.
                  ‘Then forget all about it for the time being, okay?’
                  ‘Alright, DCI Bevan. I shall.’
                  ‘Good, and for heaven’s sake just call me Dani, will you?’
     
    *
    Bevan settled into the chair opposite her Detective Sergeant, recalling the time when they shared a desk together and feeling the pang of nostalgia.
                  Phil fished a pile of photocopies out of his briefcase and handed them to her. ‘Jane said she knows Alex Ritchie and his parents well. He’s attended the school since Year 7. His mum has been trying hard to get him a statement of special needs since that time.’
                  ‘What exactly is his issue?’
                  Phil relaxed back into his seat. ‘He’s not an easy boy to slot into a comfortable category, which is why Debbie Ritchie has never been given her statement from the local authority. Jane suggests that Alex is emotionally immature and his IEP states that his processing skills are slow. He has a reading age of 11.’
                  ‘Does Alex have any history of violence? What is Jane’s opinion of the lad – does she think he could be violent?’
                  Phil shook his head. ‘Alex is a gentle boy. Jane used the word ‘withdrawn’ to describe him at school. He’s never been violent towards other children, although he has suffered himself from a certain amount of bullying by the other kids. Jane said that even if he’d done something to Maisie, Alex wouldn’t be capable of keeping it quiet for very long.’
                  ‘Okay, this confirms Andy’s assessment of the lad. I had thought that perhaps Maisie had confided in Alex about what she had planned, or even how she was making this extra cash that she had. But with Jane’s testimony, I think it’s unlikely. Maisie would have known that Alex couldn’t keep a secret, even if he’d wanted to.’
                  ‘She definitely didn’t tell Georgina what she’d been up to. I’d know by now if she had.’
                  ‘What about the Norwegian line of enquiry?’
                  Phil sighed. ‘DC Clifton and I are still going through all the letters and e-mails. Very few are directed towards specific individuals at Barents Oil. Most are propaganda pieces about the dangers to wildlife and the eco-system if drilling were to take place in the Arctic Ocean. There were a slew of e-mails directed at Charles Riddell, just after he fronted a press conference last year. Most were from high profile environmental groups but a couple were anonymous.’
                  ‘Were they threatening in any way?’
                  Phil pulled a face. ‘Not directly, although they certainly weren’t complimentary.’