Read Online The Blood Tree by Paul Johnston - Free Book Online Page B

“Any sign of the bogus workmen or the vehicle they used?”
    The guardian shook his head. “All barracks and guard patrols have drawn a blank.”
    Davie came up. “And no sign of any discarded workmen’s gear or clothes,” he said. “Morning, Quint.” He didn’t offer the same courtesy to my companion.
    â€œKatharine’s working with us on this today,” I said.
    â€œGreat,” he mumbled.
    â€œWhat about the scene-of-crime squad and forensics?” I asked, raising my voice above the ringing of numerous phones and the clatter of typewriters – even in the command centre there aren’t many computers. “Have they found anything hot?”
    â€œNot really.” Davie ran his eye down a clipboard. “The traces of blood you found on the floor and the file are both group O. They haven’t found any fingerprints on the file covers or in the archive generally.”
    â€œAll our burglars were wearing gloves,” I said. “Anything on the footprints?”
    Davie shrugged. “Three different sets under the rubble from the roof. All standard-issue work-boots, sizes seven, ten and eleven.” He looked up. “Only prints from the size eleven boots were found in the stack where the file was taken, and not many clear ones there.”
    â€œHe was trying to cover his tracks,” I said. “Lucky we found the blood spots.” I rubbed the stubble on my jaw. “And maybe he was the only one who knew what they were after.”
    â€œYou keep saying ‘he’.” Katharine’s voice was sharp. “How do you know it wasn’t a woman?”
    â€œWith size eleven feet?” Hamilton scoffed.
    â€œIt wouldn’t be the first time a woman’s disguised herself by wearing over-size footwear,” Katharine replied. She was right. That reference to one of the city’s worst murder cases back in 2020 didn’t exactly lighten the atmosphere.
    â€œHow about the files?” I asked. “Any others missing?”
    â€œWe’ve only just started checking that,” Hamilton said. “I had to ring round my colleagues in advance of the Council meeting to obtain authorisation for these restricted files to be seen by people beneath the rank of guardian. A team of senior guard personnel is going through them now. When they’ve finished checking the files we took from the shelves close to the one that was tampered with, they’ll go down to the archive and start on the other stacks.”
    â€œHell of a job,” I said.
    â€œIt’s a sealed archive,” the guardian said. “We have to know if anything else has been taken.” He glanced at me. “Speaking of authorisation, you’ve been given permission to examine the file with the attachment missing.” He looked at Katharine and Davie. “You and no one else.”
    I nodded, feeling Katharine stiffen beside me. Davie didn’t look too impressed either.
    â€œHow about the job authorisation?” I asked.
    â€œFake,” Davie put in. “There’s no duplicate copy in the Labour Directorate.”
    â€œAren’t those forms numbered?”
    â€œThey are, Quint,” Davie replied. “Unfortunately the sentry didn’t note the number.”
    â€œNo, but the likelihood is that someone took a form from a block.”
    Davie nodded. “I’ve got the Labour Directorate checking their unused blocks. They’re also compiling a list of everyone who had access to their stationery stores.”
    â€œGood enough.” I turned to the guardian. “Any sightings of the pick-up and the equipment taken from the depot?”
    His lower jaw jutted forward. That was never a good sign. “I’ve dragged the auxiliaries in charge over the coals. I don’t think any of them were involved.” He glowered at me. “I think I’ve motivated them sufficiently to ensure they squeeze their