Read Online Under a Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes - Free Book Online Page A

yesterday. Who was the other one?
    Lou had a PowerPoint presentation that Jason had knocked together for her with bullet points which had already emerged from the investigation.
    â€œRight, thanks, everyone, let’s get on with it,” she said.
    First slide, the Op Nettle title slide.
    â€œOkay, we’ve got the initial pathology report back which tells us that Polly was killed between midnight and two, no later than that. Priority for me is to trace her exact movements on the evening before she died. Andy, can you give us an update on the Fletcher-Normans?”
    Andy coughed to make sure he had everyone’s full attention. “Right. Well, I understand we’re working on the possibility of the cases being linked. If you weren’t here yesterday, come and see me and I can give you an update after the briefing. To summarize: Barbara Fletcher-Norman was found around the same time as Polly. She was in her car at the bottom of Ambleside Quarry. We’re still waiting on the full PM report, which should be later today. Patrol reported that when they went to give the death message to Brian Fletcher-Norman, there was blood in the kitchen of Hayselden Barn, as if someone had washed their hands in the sink. The Barn’s been sealed since then, but until now we’ve not had the powers to go in. However, the CSI report from Yonder Cottage shows Barbara Fletcher-Norman’s bloody fingerprints in the kitchen and the hallway. She was in the cottage when Polly was dead or dying, and so we have a suspect, albeit a dead one.”
    There was a little murmur from the people in the room.
    â€œThanks,” Lou said. “Les, did you get back to Dr. Francis about the seat belt?”
    Les peered round Andy Hamilton. “Yeah. She had half fallen out of it when she was hanging upside down, but it was in place. I’m off back to the hospital in a minute for the rest of the PM.”
    â€œWhen can we get CSI into the Barn—do we know?”
    â€œLater today. Simon Hughes is going to be the senior.”
    Lou had all but forgotten that Buchanan was there; this was one of her favorite bits of the job, bringing everything together, prioritizing, making sure that things got done and nothing was left out.
    â€œOkay. Our priority for today is to find out what the connection was between Polly Leuchars and the Fletcher-Normans. How’s Miranda getting on with the Maitlands—anyone know?”
    Jane Phelps said, “She’s still there. There seems to be plenty of people paying visits to the farm. Nigel Maitland claims he was out all day, came home late, last saw Polly a few days ago. He won’t say anything else without his solicitor.”
    â€œAnd the daughter?”
    â€œShe seems to be the most sensible one in the house, shame she doesn’t live there.”
    Lou thought for a moment. “We should talk to her properly, I think. Get to know her a bit.” She looked around for a suitable person, aware that allocating tasks was something she should trust to her sergeant—old habits were dying hard. “Andy, can you take that for me?”
    He looked up in surprise. Did he think he’d done his bit?
    â€œI’ve got meetings—I was going to brief the CSIs, sort out the Fletcher-Normans.”
    He was trying it on, Lou thought. She took a deep breath. “Nevertheless, since you’re going to be across the road from the farm most of the day, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to talk to Flora.”
    â€œJane’s going to be at the farm all day.”
    An embarrassed hush descended on the briefing room and for a moment they all faded into the background, even Buchanan, until it was just her and Andy, facing each other. It reminded her of the last confrontation they’d had, when she’d been in tears and he’d been tender, gentle with her, pleading. She hadn’t backed down then, either.
    There was a cough and Ali