Read Online The Angels of Destiny by Haydn Jones - Free Book Online Page B

him.
     
    The following hours before dawn seemed to last forever. Hunter had downed numerous cups of strong black coffee trying to keep his mind focused on the events of the day ahead. He had decided to make a conference connect call with the team members at precisely six-thirty. This would mean that he could break the news to all of the team at the same time and remind them of the necessity to say nothing. The press statement about Samuel Black would be low key and a complete fabrication of the truth.
    It was now eight-thirty and Hunter looked very tired, but still managed to greet each member of the team as they entered the conference room. The normal conversations and chit-chat that preceded a meeting were missing and the room was in silence. When everyone was seated he stood up.
    For a moment Hunter said nothing, his head was down and his hands supported his upper body weight on the table. Slowly raising his head he began. "This is a sad day ladies and gentlemen... We have lost a very fine man in what seems like unbelievable circumstances. I do not intend to go through the events of last night again, our conference talk this morning should have explained all of that, as best we can, with the information currently available to us. I know that Samuel will be sadly missed by all of us. It....It seems such a waste of lives. I for one didn ’ t suspect that he had a problem, especially one that would eventually drive him to suicide. Did any of you suspect anything?" Looking at each other for reassurance, the team all answered ‘ no ’ to the question.
    "Obviously, under the circumstances, there will be a post-mortem but as soon as we have a date for the burial I will let you all know. I presume each of you will want to pay your last respects? The M13 project, however, must go on and I ’ m sure that would have been Samuel ’ s wish, too." Everyone nodded in agreement. "I have decided that Rob will take over as Project Manager." The first smiles of the day convinced Hunter that the choice was correct. McPherson had been approached by Hunter before the meeting and was expecting the announcement. The team ’ s approval and the congratulations that followed delighted him. Vicki managed to catch his glance and winked her approval. She knew he was the right choice. He had the experience and respect of everyone, especially her.
     
    By eleven o ’ clock a list of the twenty-six girls, working at the Paradise Club the night before, had been given to government investigating offices. Most of the girls were sleeping when they were knocked-up to answer questions, something guaranteed to upset any women of the night. Most of them had little to tell about what they saw, not because they were holding back information, after all it was one of them that had been killed, but simply because they hadn ’ t seen anything out of the norm.
    The majority of the statements mentioned that Samuel Black looked agitated and nervous and six girls had noticed that Mandy had left with Samuel. Four girls had still to be interviewed and were not contactable that day. One was the girl who had brought Samuel his cigarettes.
    During the afternoon, Hunter had studied the available statements in great detail. "Call Inspecting Officer Wayne to my office," demanded Hunter abruptly into the phone.
    "Of course, sir," replied Linda, speaking into the videophone from her office near by. Within minutes Wayne was sitting in front of Hunter listening to his instructions intently.
    "I want you to find the girls that haven't been interviewed yet."
    "We ’ ve tried to sir."
    "That ’ s not good enough, someone knows where they are. I want twenty-six statements in front of me by tomorrow morning at the latest. Do you understand?"
    “ Yes, sir," replied Wayne. He was a senior officer who had worked for Hunter on many occasions. Although Hunter was often abrupt and forceful, Wayne respected him for it. He trusted the man and knew that the pressure he was under was