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

“And some. You’re a loveable lunatic though, if that helps.”

They both laughed, cutting through the tension.

“Anyway, let’s not dwell on the issue, and I’m relying on you to keep this close to your chest. I’ll tell the team, if and when, the time is right.”

“You have my word. These things are sent to try us, as they say.”

“Don’t they just? Back to the investigation. How is Craig getting on?”

“You’ll have to ask him. He keeps whooping now and again, but isn’t willing to share what he’s found so far. I think he’s waiting for you to get back to him. I think he has a soft spot for you.”

“No, don’t be daft.” Sara felt her cheeks warm.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He hangs on your every word whenever you engage him in conversation.”

Sara snorted and chuckled for a few seconds until tears formed. “You’re a scream. I think you’re winding me up.”

Carla laughed. “Maybe I am. Made you laugh though.”

“You did that. Come on, I’ve had enough of sitting in this office, let’s see what the team have managed to find out in my absence.”

They went back into the incident room and Sara did the rounds, leaving Craig until the end of her journey. “Hi, Craig, do you have an update for me?”

“Yes, boss. I’ve got several clips lined up for you. One that is going to blow your mind.”

Sara suppressed a giggle trying to emerge as she noted the excitement in his voice. “Let me see.”

He replayed several clips of the man leaving his vehicle and returning to it in a hurry. The car drove off and that’s when it was plain to see the reg number of the vehicle. “Shit. We’ve got him. Do a search on that number, Craig.”

“Already done it, boss. The car belongs to a Jo Zappel of Windsor Road.”

“Boss, I have something of interest that has just been highlighted on my screen,” Christine shouted.

“I’ll be back,” she told Craig and darted across the other side of the room. “Tell me more, Christine.”

“It’s regarding Val Purcell’s account. The bank has been in touch to tell me that someone withdrew three hundred pounds from the woman’s account.”

“Wow, okay. So the trap worked, or has it? What have they done about it?”

“They let the payment go through as instructed, they also sent me this footage from the ATM.” She tapped Enter on her keyboard and up popped an image that blew Sara’s mind.

“What the…? Craig, get over here, now!”

He came to a sliding stop beside her and let out a long, low whistle that affected her hearing. “Jesus, it’s him. The same bloke.”

“As I suspected. You know what that means, don’t you?”

Craig frowned and shook his head. “No, what am I missing?”

Sara groaned. “Both cases are connected. We’re looking for the same perp for both murders.” She fist-pumped the air. “Now, all we need to do is find the bastard and bring him in.”

“Well, we’ve got his address. Want me to send a patrol car to see if his vehicle is there?” Craig suggested.

“No, Carla and I will go. We’ll take backup with us, any volunteers?”

Craig grinned broadly and raised his hand. “I’m up for it, boss.”

Sara shot Carla a glance, and her partner stifled a grin and looked away.

“Anyone else? Preferably male, as we might need to use force to bring him in. What about you, Will?”

“Why not?” he shrugged.

“Right, let’s go then. Craig, give Carla the address. I’ll nip and get my coat.”

The four of them left the office and bolted down the stairs. DCI Price was coming up at the same time.

“Hey, what’s the rush? You’re acting like a gang of children running through the school corridors,” the chief called after them.

Without stopping or looking back, Sara shouted, “Have to fly. I’ll fill you in when we get back.”

“Make sure you do,” the chief replied.

Once they were in the car, Carla snapped on her seatbelt and stated, “You could have stopped to fill her in. Whizzing past her like that isn’t going to make the situation any better… just saying.”

“I know.” Sara laughed and revved the car. “But it felt bloody good doing it.”

“You’re nuts.”

“What can I say? I love living on the edge when it suits, and boy, does it suit right now? There’s a reason I chose not to stop and fill her in.”

“Which is?”

Sara eased out of the car park once Carla had set the satnav route. “Because as far as she knows, we’re dealing with two cases. If I tell her we suspect the cases are linked, then she could turn up the pressure on me again. This way, it gives me breathing space and I can concentrate on the investigation instead of sitting at my desk weighing up the rights and wrongs about why I need to sack someone. Anyway, I’ve lobbed the ball back in her direction, so it’s up to her to sort something out for the good of the team. If she chooses to accept my resignation, then so be it. There’s very little I can do to alter her mind.”

“Don’t say that. I couldn’t work with anyone else. Not as well as I work with you, Sara.”

“As much as I love hearing you say that, if it comes to the crunch, then I will go through with my threat. I’m a woman of my word, I rarely go back on it, hon. You should know that by now.”

“What you’re really saying there is that you’re stubborn with a capital S.”

“That as well. Less chat about what might be in our near future, we have a suspect to apprehend, a dangerous killer in fact.”

Sara pulled up outside the house they were after and motioned for Craig and Will to remain in the vehicle. Her mobile rang, it was Craig. “You want us to stay put, boss?”

“Yes, Craig, for now. Let me and Carla do the talking. Keep vigilant; any sign of trouble, you can come to our rescue, not before that, you