Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey Book 12), M Comley [world of reading TXT] 📗

life. As soon as anyone starts getting a downer, I’m out of there.”

“What if that person was crying out for help? Would you still be willing to turn your back on them?”

The young woman bit down on her lip. “Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I did come across as a bit of a bitch.”

“Just pointing out the obvious,” Sara said. “Please, it’d be a great help if you could try to remember where Mona’s father lives.”

“Why? What’s it to you? Hang on, why ask for her father…? Oh, God! Has something happened to Mona? Is that what you’re getting at?”

Sara sighed. “Yes, I can’t lie. We need to get in touch with a member of her family desperately.”

“How desperately? I can tell something is wrong now, is it serious? Don’t tell me that fucker did something to her?”

“Her father?”

She tutted in annoyance. “No, not him. The ex, Jack. I saw him hanging around here for a few weeks after they split up. Heard her shout across the road at him one day, told him to piss off. When he refused to take the hint, she asked one of the blokes from work to accompany her home and pretend he was her boyfriend. He stayed overnight and well, Jack must have taken the hint because he hasn’t shown his face around here since.”

“I see. Where does she work?”

“She works at a bar in town. The Scrawny Owl, I think it’s called.” She laughed. “No, it’s not, it’s the Tawny Owl, I’m such a div at times.”

“Does she work full- or part-time?”

“It was a full-time position, although her hours have been cut recently due to the pandemic and the lasting effects on the licensing trade. A lot of the staff got laid off, she’s damn lucky they only cut her hours. I think the boss likes her though, more than the other girls on the staff, if you get my drift?”

“I do. Thanks for all your help. Any joy with remembering her father’s address? Sorry to push you, it’s really important.”

“Yeah, you said that before. Go on, tell me what’s happened to her, I need to know if I’m safe here or not.”

“Why would you believe you weren’t safe?”

“I’ve just told you about the trouble she had with Jack, haven’t I? Weren’t you listening to me?”

“Of course. You also mentioned that he hadn’t been around for a while.”

“I get the feeling you’re making this difficult, can I ask why? You’re avoiding something, I can tell.”

“I’m not. I’m simply eager to find Mona’s father. If you don’t know where he lives, how about you giving me his name or possibly where he works?”

The young woman fell silent for a few moments and banged her backside against the wall as she thought. “Don’t quote me on this, but I think he works in a sports shop in town, or he used to.”

“Can you think of the name or where it’s situated?”

“In the centre of town, near Debenhams, at least I think it is.”

“Fantastic. I’m going to leave you a card. If you should think of anything else, please ring me.”

“I will. What about Mona, are you going to tell me where she is or what’s wrong with her?”

Sara smiled at the woman. “Not right now.”

“Wow, that’s reassuring, thanks for that.”

Sara and Carla left and felt the force of the door slamming behind them. “Jesus, how could I tell her Mona was dead? I sensed she would have had a meltdown there and then, I didn’t want to deal with that.”

“You did the right thing. We need to tell the family first.”

“There is no easy way of dealing with an investigation in this life, is there?”

“It must feel like that at times, but you did okay. Don’t ever doubt your capabilities, Sara.”

She shook off the cloud of uncertainty and smiled at Carla. “Thanks, I needed that. Back to it. A sports shop near Debenhams, can you think of any?”

“Nope, not right now.”

She laughed. “I hope I don’t feel guilty stepping inside. I haven’t exercised in ages. I used to run a lot, but that appears to have been knocked on the head since I’ve tied the knot.” She glanced down and pulled up her jumper to show a slight overhang to her trousers. “Damn, that sight has just put a downer on my day. Maybe we should both join a gym and go after work, what do you say?”

“As it happens, I’ve just started going. We could make it a regular thing, but then, you’re newlywed and eager to get back to hubby at the end of your shift, unlike me.”

“We’ll see.” They got back in the car and Sara drove into town. She parked in Tesco’s underground car park and had a word with the girl at the kiosk counter. She flashed her ID. “We’re on important police business. I’ve parked in the car park, I hope that’s okay?”

“It is. Just come and see me when you’re ready to go and I’ll waive the parking fee for you.”

“That’d be super. See you soon.”

They swept out of the main entrance and walked the length of the car park, which was heaving with cars, and crossed the main road. “There it is.”

She pushed open the main door to the small shop. There were two male customers searching through the rails of leisure wear and a male and a female dealing with what appeared to be a new delivery of stock at the till area. They approached and the male glanced up.

“Hello, there, can we help at all?”

Sara showed him her warrant card. “We’re looking for a Mr Load.”

He frowned and straightened to his full height, which meant he was towering over Sara. “That would be me. Police? Is there something wrong? I haven’t done anything I shouldn’t have done, not as far as I know.”

“It would be better if we spoke alone, sir. Is there a room out the back we can use?”

“Now you’re worrying me. Okay, Abby, mind the shop for