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

go. Let’s leave this one to enjoy her meal in peace.”

Upstairs, there were two doors. One led into the bathroom and the other into the main bedroom. If they thought the lounge was a mess, it was nothing compared to the bedroom. “Christ, what is wrong with people? This place is disgusting and no, I have no intention of venturing into the bathroom to bloody see what’s in there. The smell is even worse up here. I’m getting a headache from an odour and I can’t even begin to guess where the damn smell is coming from.” She pointed at the unmade bed with the filthy sheet spread across the mattress. “I suspect that’s the culprit, but I have no intention of getting up close and personal with it to give it the once over.”

Carla nodded and gagged. She cupped her hand over her nose and mouth and murmured, “I never thought I hear myself say this, but I wish I had one of those damn masks handy. The pandemic has nothing on this shithole.”

“I agree. Let’s get out of here. Leave SOCO to it once we get the warrant sorted.”

They rushed down the stairs and closed the front door behind them. Both of them inhaled lungfuls of fresh air while they made their way back to the car. Sara threw Carla the keys to her car. “Here, you drive, I want to make a few calls on the way.”

“Wow, that’s a first. You, trusting me with your baby.”

“It’s actually the second time I’ve allowed you behind the wheel, but who’s counting?”

Carla adjusted her seat and then revved the engine.

“Umm… less of that, if you don’t mind. I’ve always driven her carefully and with respect, I’m trusting you to do the same.”

“All right, I was only teasing. It’s fifty around here, right?”

“No, it bloody well isn’t, this is a thirty zone.” Sara groaned when Carla grinned. “Get us back to the station safely.”

“I will boss, trust me.”

Sara removed her mobile from her pocket and looked up the number for the local RSPCA. She gave them Zappel’s address and explained the situation. The woman at the other end asked if Zappel had any relatives. “I don’t think so. We haven’t had a chance to do any digging into his background, as such. Can you deal with the cat for us or not?”

“I’ll send an officer out to take a look.”

“Thanks. I’ll leave it in your capable hands then.” Sara ended the call. “Jesus, you’d think they’d be grateful I was looking out for the cat instead of grilling me like that.”

“I’ve heard some bad reports about them lately.”

“I’m not going to go there, so have I, but I thought I’d give them the benefit of the doubt. I hope I don’t live to regret that decision. Maybe I’ll drop round there in a couple of days, to check on the cat. It’s such a sweet thing, despite having a murderer for its owner. It’s hardly the cat’s fault, is it?”

“Don’t get involved, Sara.”

“Too late. I will never knowingly stand back and watch an animal in need suffer. If I have to take it home with me, I will.”

“I knew those words would tumble out of your mouth, eventually. How would Misty feel about the intrusion?”

“She’s a gem. I’m sure she’d be fine about it.”

“Are you willing to take the risk? Aren’t cats supposed to be territorial animals?”

Sara scratched her head. “Are they? Anyway, that’s pie in the sky at the moment. I need to make another call. She dialled a number she had stored in her phone and arranged for a warrant to be actioned for Zappel’s address. The woman she spoke to said they had a slew of applications to go through and it could be at least forty-eight hours before one was actioned. Sara sighed and ended the call. “It’s not just us who are overwhelmed by the sounds of it. Two bloody days we’re going to have to wait.”

“We’re going to be busy interviewing the suspect so it shouldn’t make a difference, not really.”

Carla indicated and pulled into the main car park at the station. Sara got out and inspected her parking. “Something wrong?”

Sara grinned. “You’re a little too close to the line on this side for my liking.”

Carla flung the keys across the roof of the car. “You could always park it yourself.”

Sara pulled a face and refrained from poking her tongue out. “You can buy the coffees for your insubordination.”

“Get you spouting a big word in the middle of the day.”

They laughed and walked into the station.

Jeff glanced up from behind his reception desk. “Nice to see someone smiling.”

“We have every reason to smile, Jeff. We’ve caught a suspect without breaking out in a sweat, within days of him committing the first crime.”

Jeff clapped his hands. “So I hear. Another notch on your belt, Inspector Ramsey.”

“Is he ready to interview?”

“He should be soon. He’s still being processed by the custody sergeant.”

“We’ll be upstairs, having a caffeine fix, ring me when he’s been cleared and the duty solicitor gets here.”

“I’ll do that.”

DCI Price was standing at the top of the stairs, waiting for Sara. “Do you have time for that chat now?”

“I was hoping to grab a coffee before I start interviewing a suspect, boss.”

Carol turned and walked into the incident room, which fell silent upon her arrival. Sara and Carla followed. Carla veered off to the vending machine. Sara motioned for the DCI to join her in her office. Before either of them had sat down, Carla appeared with two cups of coffee.

“Drink that at your own risk,” Sara chuckled. “It’s nothing compared to what you’re used to drinking.”

“If it’s wet and strong, then it’ll do the trick. Thanks, Carla,” the chief said with a taut smile.

Sara winked at her partner. “Can you close the door on the way out?”

Carla did as instructed. Sara stared at the chief, expecting her to state why she was there. When she didn’t, Sara asked, “Everything all right, boss?”

“I hear