Read Online The Frailty of Flesh by Sandra Ruttan - Free Book Online Page B

Sims could be the poster child for the fresh, young face of the RCMP.
    He could certainly be on the recruiting photos aimed at getting women to join the force. Tain had heard more than enough from female officers already in uniform to know that.
    Yet he had a grudging respect for the fact that Sims actually had a head for police work. When Ashlyn had gone undercover months before Sims had assisted Tain, and even Tain had to admit the pretty boy was more than just competent.
    “Clothing and the possible murder weapon.”
    Another thing Tain could appreciate about Sims. No preamble, no theatrics, no bullshit. At least, not with him. Tain didn’t indulge theories and prolonged explanations from most officers, and Sims knew that.
    “Take me through it, Sims.”
    The boyish smile slipped from Sims’s face. “Shouldn’t we wait for Constable Hart?”
    Tain turned and looked up toward the washrooms. Ashlyn had said she’d be right down.
    “She’s taken, Sims.”
    Sims was trying not to react, but his face fell just a bit. “It’s not… I…I understood Constable Hart is leading—”
    “Save it, Sims. My bullshit detector’s working today.”
    “And some say you’re a heartless bastard.”
    Tain smiled. “I actually tolerate you, Sims. Just imagine if I didn’t like you.”
    Sims’s gaze shifted and as he looked past Tain he frowned. “Is Constable Hart not feeling well?”
    A glance over his shoulder was enough to explain why Sims had asked. Another officer had intercepted Ashlyn and she was rubbing her forehead as she spoke, her skin a pasty white, eyes weighed down.
    “It’s a tough case, Sims. We’ve been at it for hours and haven’t eaten.”
    Tain didn’t mean to sound as brusque as he did, but he wasn’t about to indulge Sims in a conversation about Ashlyn. If Sims thought Tain was being curt with him on the subject, he should try broaching it with Ashlyn directly. Even if she was tired she’d find the energy to put him in his place.
    Constable Sims didn’t seem to know much better, or bought into the idea that he could charm anyone. He smiled at Ashlyn as she joined them, just as much as was appropriate, under the circumstances. “Constable Hart. How are you?”
    Ashlyn’s eyes narrowed just a touch as she said, “Fine.” She turned to Tain. “I have officers going to question Shannon’s other classmates who were absent, and to follow up on whatever family we can track down. We also have an indirect witness. Someone who saw the kids in the park recently, and has some information they think we might be interested in. Wouldn’t tell the officer who questioned them more.”
    “Better than nothing,” Tain said.
    She nodded and turned her gaze back to Sims. “What have you got for us?”
    “Clothing and the possible murder weapon. We’ve covered most of the wooded area on this side of the inlet. We did find some branches smeared with what looks like blood, and a large pool of blood on the ground.”
    “Show us,” Ashlyn said.
    Sims led the way, elaborating on the extraneous details of the search to Ashlyn as Tain walked behind them. He had to give it to the guy—he didn’t give up easily.
    It didn’t take long to reach the spot, as it wasn’t far into the wooded area to the south side of the woods, near Murray Street, which was the road that ran along the park up to Ioco Road, a major road leading to the north part of Port Moody.
    Tain watched as Ashlyn knelt down beside the spot on the ground where they’d found the blood. It wasn’t a perfect circle, but it definitely wasn’t a line of blood drops either.
    A baseball bat was on the ground, only a few feet away.
    “What do you think?” Ashlyn asked Tain.
    He was silent for a moment. “Most likely something with blood on it, set down. It doesn’t look like someone was beaten here.” Tain glanced around. “If someone had been injured here there should be a blood trail, but there isn’t.”
    “If they had something to stop the