Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4), Helen Harper [free ereaders .txt] 📗

return and killed me. I only resurrected a couple of hours ago.’

This time it was Boateng’s turn to look astonished. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘Oh.’

‘They also stole the files you gave me.’

He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Oh.’

‘I didn’t see who my killer was.’ I wanted to leave Laura out of this so I didn’t mention her. ‘But I’m fairly certain they broke my neck. Lacey’s killer also went for his throat, which suggests some similarities between our deaths – although my jugular wasn’t ripped out like Lacey’s was. Right now, I have to assume that the files were the motive for my murder. Who knew that I had them?’

Boateng took a long moment to answer as he continued to wrestle with the revelation of my recent death. ‘Any number of people,’ he said finally. ‘It was no secret. Half the police officers in this building probably know.’

‘And they could have mentioned it to others or been overheard mentioning it.’

He stiffened. ‘We might not be the Metropolitan Police, but we do know how to conduct ourselves. Perhaps someone saw you carrying the files out of here.’

‘Perhaps.’ I paused. ‘There’s a set of boot prints in the wardrobe in my room. I’m no expert, but they look pretty similar to the ones that were found close to Patrick Lacey’s body.’

Boateng’s face darkened. ‘I see.’

‘And there’s something else,’ I continued. ‘One of the locals told me yesterday evening that Patrick Lacey was the person who discovered my parents’ dead bodies.’

‘Yes,’ he said quietly. ‘I knew that.’

‘You didn’t tell me.’

‘As I’ve already said, there’s no reason to link what happened to your family to what happened to Patrick Lacey. It’s merely an unfortunate coincidence. In fact, if you’d read the files I gave you, you’d have seen the section concerning your parents’ deaths. I included his witness statement from back then.’

‘I didn’t get the chance to look through them. I was hoping I could get another copy.’

‘I’ll see what I can do but I think it would be best if you don’t remove anything from the station from now on. We don’t need more sensitive material going missing. I’ll send a couple of forensics guys round to your room at the pub. We’ll take a look at these boot prints of yours and see what else turns up. You should call the pub and tell them to expect someone.’ He watched me. ‘But remember that Lacey was not well liked in Barchapel. He had violent tendencies and frequently got into fights. Our working theory is that either there’s an illegal supe living nearby, or one was passing through and Lacey rubbed them up the wrong way.’

‘After our conversation yesterday I’d have agreed with you. But my murder puts a different spin on things.’

‘Unless,’ Boateng countered, ‘I’m not the only person who’s heard the rumours about what you are, and the perp was worried about what you might uncover.’

‘They wouldn’t have killed me if they’d heard the rumours. They’d have known that murdering me would be a wasted effort.’

‘True,’ he conceded. ‘But it’s not a secret that you’re from Supe Squad. That alone could worry the perp.’

It was possible. I tried to think dispassionately but it wasn’t easy. ‘I wouldn’t normally place much credence on online comments,’ I said, choosing my words carefully, ‘but someone mentioned that Lacey had been friends with a killer. Unless Barchapel is heaving with murderers, whoever made that comment must have been referring to Samuel Beswick.’

‘I don’t know a great deal about that particular crime, Emma.’ Boateng’s voice was gentle. ‘It was a long time ago. But given the nature of this place, I imagine many people were friendly with Mr Beswick.’

I thought about what Julie had said last night: she’d implied some sort of brief romantic relationship with him. Boateng was probably right. I’d put it on the back burner for now – but I wouldn’t forget it.

He sighed. ‘At least we know one thing from your murder.’

‘What’s that, sir?’

‘If the same person killed you as killed Lacey, they haven’t left the area. The population of Barchapel is less than eight thousand. It shouldn’t be hard to find our killer.’

I set my jaw. ‘Oh, I’ll find them alright.’

He gazed at me for a long moment. ‘We will find them.’ He drummed his fingers on the desk. ‘As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed from yesterday. I can’t include you on the official investigating team as anything other than a consultant. You’re not part of the Kent Major Crime Team, and our bureaucracy is as much of a nightmare as the Met’s. However, it’s important that we work with and not against each other. My view on that hasn’t changed. I still believe that a supe is responsible and so I need your help. I’m not giving you free rein, Emma, but I will allow you considerable latitude as long as you share your findings.’

It was far more than I’d hoped for. I inclined my head. ‘Naturally.’

‘Robert is ready to take you to the crime scene. I’ll get that team to your room at the Bird and Bush ASAP.’

‘It’s probably best if you don’t tell many others that I was murdered,’ I said. ‘I don’t want to be forced into giving a demonstration of what I can do. And not everyone will be as calm about the news as you’ve been.’

Boateng laughed. ‘Believe me, detective, the last thing I’m feeling while looking at you is calm. Frankly, you terrify me. But don’t worry, I’ll leave your death out of the equation for now. I doubt anyone would believe me. It will remain between us. Can I ask just one thing, though?’

I felt a sudden rush of wariness. ‘Go on.’

‘Can I feel your pulse?’

I shrugged and held out my wrist. Boateng took it and pressed his fingertips to its soft underside. ‘What’s the verdict?’ I asked.

‘You seem to be alive, DC Bellamy.’

I met his eyes. ‘And I’m going to stay that way.’ I paused. ‘At least, I am if