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

“Don’t you? I’m not really one for banging up the wrong person. I’ve never done it before and I don’t want this to be my first exploit in that direction.”

“I get that. Which is where I come into it, right?”

“Yep. Tell me the suspect left semen at the crime scene.”

“I can’t. Looks like he used a condom.”

Sara flung the pen she was using across the room, and it hit the door. “Fuck, not what I wanted to hear.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Other than that, there’s really nothing more I can offer you.”

“Okay, it was worth a shot. I’ll be eagerly awaiting your reports on both victims. I’ll get in touch with Forensics, see what they have to offer.”

“Good luck. Last I heard, they had nothing at all.”

“Jesus, can my day get any worse?”

“I doubt it. Sorry, Sara. PMA, love.”

“Thanks, speak soon.”

She ended the call and bounced back and forth in her chair a few times, after which her frustrations dwindled enough for her to get on and deal with the day’s post.

Sara rejoined the team at around twelve-thirty. Carla was organising a sandwich run that Craig had volunteered to do. “I was coming to see you, what would you like for lunch?”

“I haven’t really thought about it. Egg and cress for a change, on either brown or wholemeal, thanks. Hang on, I’ll get my purse.”

“No, you won’t. I’ll get it this time, for a change.”

“Thanks, Carla.” Sara perched on the desk next to her and watched Carla jot down the rest of the orders and hand the note to Craig. He left the room soon after. “Right, now that’s out of the way, where are we?”

Christine started off the proceedings. “I checked for a spouse and come up blank. I then checked for any births, just in case Jo Zappel was living with someone and didn’t tie the knot.” She checked her notes and looked up again. “I came up with a son, Adam Zappel. The mother was a Daphne Wyatt. I then tried to trace the son and Daphne. The mother died two years ago of breast cancer. But I’m still trying to locate the son.”

“Excellent, I take it they lived in the area.”

“No. Up north in Morecombe Bay.”

“Hmm… okay. Let’s try to find out where the son is located now. Good work, Christine.”

“Just doing my job, boss.”

Sara smiled. “I know. But a bit of praise here and there does wonders, in my opinion. Anyone got anything else?”

“No, nothing yet. It’s a bit early for that,” Carla said, an edge to her tone.

“The sooner we piece everything together, the quicker we can close down the investigation.”

“I know how it works,” Carla snapped.

Sara frowned. It was unlike her partner to bite back without reason. “Something wrong, Carla?”

“No, sorry. Things on my mind, that’s all.”

Sara knew exactly who she was referring to. Bloody Gary! Even when they’re not together, he’s causing sodding trouble. “If you need to unburden yourself, you know where my office is.”

“I do. I’m fine.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent dipping in and out of her office and geeing up the team with their research duties. At six, Sara announced it was time to leave. “You’ve done a sterling job today, guys. Thank you for all your efforts. The desk sergeant contacted me half an hour ago to tell me that Zappel was on his way to the remand centre, one less task to worry about. Let’s hope the folks of Hereford can sleep well in their beds tonight. I know I’m ready for mine, it’s been a mentally tiring day. Go home and get some rest.” The team all nodded their agreement and set about switching off their equipment for the night.

Sara dipped back into her office to retrieve her handbag and coat. Carla was the only team member left when she returned. “How’s it diddling?”

“I’m fine. You worry too much.”

“I hate seeing you so down. It’s not like you to snap at me, especially in front of the others like that.”

Carla shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Gosh, make me feel worse, why don’t you?”

“That wasn’t my intention and you know it.”

“I know. Sorry.”

“I don’t want your apologies, all I want is my chilled-out partner back.” Sara rubbed Carla’s arm, worried about her mental state. Gary had a lot to answer for.

“I’ll get there. Once Gary gets the message to leave me alone.”

“There’s an easy answer to that, block his number on your phone.”

“It’s not that… it won’t stop my head being screwed up, will it?”

Sara cringed. “Screwed up? Don’t tell me you still have feelings for him, Carla?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes, I hate the fucker for the way he treated me, but the next day…”

“The next day?”

“I think I can’t live without him.” She finally muttered the admission Sara feared was coming.

Jesus! If only you knew! He didn’t admit it, but there’s every possibility he was behind you getting beaten up. I can’t tell you that though, or should I? Sara toyed with the idea a few seconds longer and then shook her head.

“You need to take time out and weigh up your options. For what it’s worth, I think it would be wrong of you to let him back into your life.”

“That’s easy for you to say, but you don’t know what it was like when we were alone together.”

“Granted. I can only go by what you’ve told me about your relationship. You’re guilty of remembering the good times and forgetting all the times that were bad. It’s what people tend to do when a relationship goes sour.”

Carla pouted and snapped, “Don’t speak to me as if I’m a child, I’m not.”

“I wasn’t aware I was. I’m taking a step back and assessing things for what they are. Okay, I have a home to go to. Think about what I’ve said. What’s he asking from you, Carla?”

“I don’t know what he wants, except to see me.”

“Then it’s up to you whether you fall for that one or not. You have