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

everywhere I go, you know, since the pandemic.”

“No need to apologise. Glad you enjoyed it. Fancy a Danish pastry for afters?”

“God, no. We’re stuffed. Can I get the bill?”

“Come to the counter to pay, lovey.”

Sara followed her over and paid a paltry three pounds fifty each for their breakfast. “That can’t be right. Here, take a tenner. Keep the change.”

The woman smiled. “Why thank you kindly. Maybe we’ll see you again one day.”

“That’s guaranteed. Again, I’m sorry if I upset you.”

The woman’s smile broadened. “You didn’t. See you soon.”

They left and walked back to the cars. “Why don’t we use one car for now—mine, and pick yours up after we’ve been to the hospital?”

“Makes sense, it’s always a nightmare parking around there.”

Sara zapped her doors open and they both got in. During the short journey her phone rang. “Hello, DI Ramsey.”

“Sorry to trouble you, ma’am, it’s Jeff. I’ve just come on duty and wanted to bring you up to date on a few things which occurred during the night, one of which, I think, might be relevant to your investigation.”

“I’m all ears, Jeff.”

“I know you’re dealing with a rape-murder at present and all that entails, give me a shout if I can be of any assistance in that matter, by the way.”

“You can. You can get a few of your men doing a house-to-house down there, it was too early for us to start banging on doors. See if anyone either saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. What else has come in?”

“I’ll get on it after I’ve spoken to you. I’ve got a knife crime in which the suspect stole the victim’s car, in front of his wife. She’s with him at the hospital now. It’s touch and go by the look of things. The victim was stabbed in the back, I doubt if he saw his attacker, but his wife did. She rang the station during the night, once her husband was settled, and said she’s eager to help identify the culprit.”

“Wow, that’s excellent news. Okay, well, as it happens, we’re just on our way to the hospital now. The victim was a nurse, we’ve got her name, but that’s about all right now. We’ll go and see the woman and her husband while we’re there. What are their names?”

“He’s Mike Stand, wife is Ellen. She’s beside herself, as you can imagine.”

“Okay, leave it with us.”

“Thanks, ma’am. I’ll get my guys out there to begin knocking on the doors within a couple of hours.”

“Let me know as soon as you hear anything. We need to up our game in catching this bastard, he’s clearly upped his by attacking one and killing another on the same night.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”

“Thanks, Jeff.” Sara ended the call.

“So, his intention was to steal the man’s vehicle. He’s got away with that so far. Did he rape and kill the nurse before that attack or after?” Carla asked.

Sara briefly turned her way as she drove. “Interesting, right? Until Lorraine gives us an estimated time of death for the victim, all we’re going to have to go on is what the wife tells us when we get there.”

“Either way, I sense we’re in for a busy day.”

“You’re not wrong.” Sara indicated and pulled into the hospital car park. The barrier rose allowing her access. They dashed through the main entrance. Sara flashed her warrant card at the brunette sitting at the reception desk. “We’re here about two things. One is to question a husband and wife about a stabbing incident which occurred last night. The victim’s name is Mike Stand.”

“Ah yes, I recognise the name, I’ve just processed the paperwork for his admittance. Give me a second to source where they’ve taken him.”

Sara smiled and nodded.

“Here it is. He’s due to go down to surgery soon. Therefore, he’ll still be waiting in the A&E department. Which is along the corridor on the right, at the end.”

“Super, thanks for that. Also, we’re looking for information about a nurse who possibly works here, Casey Nugent, do you know her?”

“Gosh, let me think. We have so many nurses on the staff, it’s hard to keep up with the new arrivals. Let me ask around for you.”

“That would be brilliant. Thank you.” They took a step back, allowing the receptionist to place the calls she needed without them bearing down on her.

The receptionist ended her first call and smiled, then immediately placed another. This time she nodded and beckoned Sara and Carla towards her. “I’ve managed to track her down, she’s a student in the maternity unit, on the second floor.”

“Thanks, we’ll drop in after we’ve been to A&E.”

“You’re welcome.”

They raced up the corridor. Once they reached A&E, they surveyed the surrounding area. “Why don’t we split up? If he’s awaiting surgery, my guess is he’ll be in one of the cubicles. I’ll start this end and we’ll meet in the middle.”

Carla set off to the other end, and they worked their way down the long row of cubicles until Carla coughed to gain her attention. Sara raced to the other end of the hallway. Pulling back the curtain to the only cubicle occupied by a couple, they found Ellen Stand, sitting by her husband’s bedside. She had tear-stained cheeks and was shaking her head. She seemed confused and petrified at the same time.

Sara produced her ID. “Mrs Stand, we’re DI Sara Ramsey and DS Carla Jameson. I’m sorry to hear what happened to your husband, how’s he doing?”

“Not good. He was stabbed in the back several times. They’re telling me he might not make it through the surgery. I won’t be able to live without him, he’s my world.”

“I’m sorry. Try to think positively about the outcome, doctors have been known to get it wrong occasionally. Are you up to answering a few questions?”

“Why not? It’s not as if I’ve got anything better to do, is it?”

Sara stood on the opposite side of the bed and glanced briefly at the woman’s