Read Online Secret of the Dead by Michael Fowler - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael Fowler
Tags: Crime Fiction
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until anything more definite comes in regarding time frames, I am holding on to the fact that he was attacked some time between ten eighteen, when Barry spoke with Howson, and eleven pm when Mr Farmer, the neighbour, was disturbed by his barking dog.” He darted his gaze between detectives. “What we don’t have at the moment is a motive for his murder. We know about his phone call with Barry, the crux of which was his concern over the murder of Lucy Blake-Hall back in nineteen-eighty-three. To use his phrase to Barry, ‘the wrong man was convicted of it and I know who really killed her.’ And we know about the mysterious key found in his stomach contents, which he obviously swallowed for a reason. But what we don’t know yet is that reason, or what that key opens up.
“I guess when we discover that, we will get our motive. But there is also another element we need to focus on. There are signs of a search, certainly in the lounge area, so we also have to ask ourselves if this is a burglary gone wrong.” Robshaw faced the room again. “Guys, this was one of our own. We owe it to him and his family to get a quick result.”
Letting go of the incident board, he rubbed his hands together.
“Forensics are at a very early stage. They will be returning this morning to do a thorough examination of the house. House-to-house has only been done with immediate neighbours. Besides Mr. Farmer’s information, we have learned that Jeffery was a relatively quiet and private man who had very few visitors. So far, no one has seen anything out of the ordinary. We’re casting the net a little bit wider this morning. Task Force will be continuing with the door-knocking and will also be doing a finger-tip search of the garden. That will be extended. Beyond his garden fence there is a footpath leading into the woods.” The SIO paused. “Okay, actions.” He opened his hands and tapped his thumb. “First. We re-interview the daughter, get a thorough background everything she knows about her father. I also want to know what that key fits. See if the daughter knows. He swallowed it for a reason, and as I have already mentioned, my guess is that reason got him killed. But we don’t reveal to her or to anyone outside this room how we found it.” He tapped the palm of one hand with an index finger. “Second, he made great stay about the murder of Lucy Blake-Hall back in nineteen-eighty-three. Barry has already given an insight into that but I want a copy of that file and I want to know everything about that case. Contact the Cold Case Review team.” He progressed along his fingers. “Third, we trace Jeffery Howson’s colleagues. I know he’s been retired a good few years now, but a number of his ex-colleagues should be around. I want to know who he worked with at divisional CID who was his partner? I want to know everything about him. I want someone to speak with the Intelligence Unit. Has there been a spate of burglaries recently? Who is active in that area? And finally for today, we make a request for his telephone records. We know about his phone call to Barry, but I want to know if he made any other calls after that and anyone he spoke with in the week leading up to his murder. Given his state of health, the phone was his lifeline to the outside world and we need to know if the list throws up any suspects.”
Michael Robshaw tucked his hands into his trouser pockets.
“That’s it for now everyone. We meet back here at eight-pm for de-brief.” He took a deep breath and steadily scanned the room. “Team, it would be nice to put this one to bed quickly. I want the bastards who did this nailed and pronto.”
* * * * *
Hunter and Grace had only been waiting in the foyer of the newly built Maltby police station, which housed the Cold Case Review Team, for a little over five minutes before Detective Sergeant Jamie Parker, the officer in charge of the team, appeared through the door at the side of the glass fronted
“I guess when we discover that, we will get our motive. But there is also another element we need to focus on. There are signs of a search, certainly in the lounge area, so we also have to ask ourselves if this is a burglary gone wrong.” Robshaw faced the room again. “Guys, this was one of our own. We owe it to him and his family to get a quick result.”
Letting go of the incident board, he rubbed his hands together.
“Forensics are at a very early stage. They will be returning this morning to do a thorough examination of the house. House-to-house has only been done with immediate neighbours. Besides Mr. Farmer’s information, we have learned that Jeffery was a relatively quiet and private man who had very few visitors. So far, no one has seen anything out of the ordinary. We’re casting the net a little bit wider this morning. Task Force will be continuing with the door-knocking and will also be doing a finger-tip search of the garden. That will be extended. Beyond his garden fence there is a footpath leading into the woods.” The SIO paused. “Okay, actions.” He opened his hands and tapped his thumb. “First. We re-interview the daughter, get a thorough background everything she knows about her father. I also want to know what that key fits. See if the daughter knows. He swallowed it for a reason, and as I have already mentioned, my guess is that reason got him killed. But we don’t reveal to her or to anyone outside this room how we found it.” He tapped the palm of one hand with an index finger. “Second, he made great stay about the murder of Lucy Blake-Hall back in nineteen-eighty-three. Barry has already given an insight into that but I want a copy of that file and I want to know everything about that case. Contact the Cold Case Review team.” He progressed along his fingers. “Third, we trace Jeffery Howson’s colleagues. I know he’s been retired a good few years now, but a number of his ex-colleagues should be around. I want to know who he worked with at divisional CID who was his partner? I want to know everything about him. I want someone to speak with the Intelligence Unit. Has there been a spate of burglaries recently? Who is active in that area? And finally for today, we make a request for his telephone records. We know about his phone call to Barry, but I want to know if he made any other calls after that and anyone he spoke with in the week leading up to his murder. Given his state of health, the phone was his lifeline to the outside world and we need to know if the list throws up any suspects.”
Michael Robshaw tucked his hands into his trouser pockets.
“That’s it for now everyone. We meet back here at eight-pm for de-brief.” He took a deep breath and steadily scanned the room. “Team, it would be nice to put this one to bed quickly. I want the bastards who did this nailed and pronto.”
* * * * *
Hunter and Grace had only been waiting in the foyer of the newly built Maltby police station, which housed the Cold Case Review Team, for a little over five minutes before Detective Sergeant Jamie Parker, the officer in charge of the team, appeared through the door at the side of the glass fronted
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