The Disciple

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Authors: Steven Dunne
Tags: Suspense, Thrillers, Crime, Mystery, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Murder, Serial Killers, Thrillers & Suspense
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that psychologists attributed this kind of mannerism to a desire for concealment based on inadequacy. She also knew that had she, Hudson and the Chief Super been discussing community policing or traffic management, Maddy would have opened himself up by putting his hands behind his head, inviting contradiction so he could show off his in-depth knowledge of the subject.
    She looked over at Hudson who nodded. He always encouraged Grant to take the reins in the Chief Super’s office, because he was too easily exasperated when those he dubbed ‘pencil necks’ didn’t accept his superior expertise.
    ‘It’s the way he was murdered, sir,’ answered Grant. ‘He waskilled by someone who knew what they were doing. The wife and daughter wouldn’t have had a clue.’
    ‘They might have hired someone to do it,’ observed Maddy.
    Hudson’s features began to darken but, before he could speak, he heard Grant say, ‘Good point, sir. We’ll certainly keep that in mind.’
    Maddy seemed pleased that his impressions were of some value and attempted to gild the lily. ‘What was that drug again?’
    ‘Scopolamine mixed with traces of morphine.’
    ‘Ah yes,’ he said as though in recognition.
    ‘It induces a condition known as Twilight Sleep,’ said Grant. ‘It’s why Harvey-Ellis was so compliant with his killer, sir. We’ve got no material evidence here in Brighton apart from those drugs. Whoever did this has come and gone without a trace.’
    ‘No witnesses, nothing on CCTV?’
    ‘Not yet, sir.’
    ‘What about this Sowerby?’
    ‘A weasel, sir, and we’re not ruling him out. However, we’re dubious he could plan something this slick. And motive is weak – Harvey-Ellis was a good customer. There’s always money but Sowerby swears blind he didn’t sell him out. For the moment we believe him.’
    ‘And he didn’t notice anyone who might have been setting this up?’ asked Maddy.
    ‘No one.’
    ‘Which leaves only the wife and daughter,’ nodded Maddy. ‘As I said.’
    ‘Not quite true, sir,’ said Grant. ‘But this is where it gets tricky. The ex-husband also has motive and, what’s more, he has professional criminal know-how.’
    ‘Opportunity?’
    ‘We’re not sure yet. He lives in Derby. But he does know Brighton. Two years ago he found out his daughter and stepfatherwere lovers and marched into Harvey-Ellis’s office where he assaulted him and threatened him with arrest.’
    ‘Sounds promising.’
    ‘Yes, sir. But he’s a serving DI in Derby CID. Damen Brook.’
    Maddy made eye contact for the first time.
‘The
Damen Brook? Of Reaper fame?’
    ‘The same.’
    Maddy took a minute to process the information, then shrugged. ‘We must root out all bad apples, Detectives. That’s our job. Do what you have to do.’ He nodded at them both, clearly expecting this to be the end of the meeting. When they showed no sign of moving, he held out his hands. ‘Something else?’
    ‘We ran the combination of drugs through the database,’ said Hudson, deciding it was time to contribute. ‘The only recent incidence of those two drugs being used in a crime was during the last Reaper killings in Derby.’
    ‘What are you saying?’ asked Maddy, this time unashamed to have it spelt out for him.
    Hudson paused for a second to be certain there would be no misunderstanding. ‘We’re working on the theory that Brook learns about the drugs while working the Reaper murders and then puts the same drugs to use when he kills Tony Harvey-Ellis.’
    ‘Sounds reasonable. What’s the problem?’
    ‘If we clear Brook, it means Brighton may have had its first Reaper killing.’

     
    The man listened to the music over the quietly chugging engine. He checked his map one more time then turned off the headlights to enjoy the music in the dark. Fauré’s Requiem seemed appropriate to the grandeur of the landscape, not that he could see much of it now, tucked away as he was in a side road that had been cut into the

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