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

“Which direction did he go?”

The man grinned. “The same direction all the traffic goes when it leaves here, there’s only one way out or hadn’t you noticed that? Where’s the fire anyway?” He lifted his mug and took a sip.

Sara mumbled a reluctant thanks for the little help he’d offered and made her way over to the car.

“’Ere, don’t you go forgetting to pay before you get in your vehicle.”

Seething, she stormed across the car park to the machine by his hut. “You’re kidding me? Three pounds fifty for a five-minute stay. Now I know someone is taking the piss! Can’t you let me off? I’m trying to apprehend a dangerous criminal.”

“More than my job’s worth. Dig deep in that purse of yours, it’s well known how tight you coppers are.”

“For fuck’s sake!” Sara muttered. She found the correct coins, thrust them into the damn machine and ran back to the car, not bothering to speak to the obtuse man again.

The barrier raised after a lengthy delay, no doubt that had been on purpose too, and she set off, glancing around to find Carla. She wasn’t around. Sara rang her mobile on the hands-free. “Pick up the damn phone, will you?”

Nothing. Carla didn’t answer.

Sara’s breakfast reappeared and lodged itself in the back of her throat.

“Jesus! Please, don’t tell me he’s taken her.”

10

Sara returned to the station. She flew through the reception area and up to the incident room to find DCI Price waiting for her. “Jesus, I’ve just heard. Have you had any contact with Carla at all?”

Tearful, Sara ran a hand through her hair and perched on the nearest desk. “No. One minute she was there and the next she was gone. Why the fuck did we split up? This is all my fault.”

The chief gripped her by the upper arms and shook her slightly. “Stop it! You hear me? You’re not to blame. Tell me what happened. Wait, someone get DI Ramsey a cup of coffee, make it snappy.”

Craig burst out of his seat and returned to place the cup in front of Sara.

“Thanks, Craig.” She took a sip of the boiling hot liquid, scalded her tongue and set the cup down again. “We were at the hospital, getting the next of kin details for the latest victim… shit, I still have to deal with that.”

“It’s fine. I’ll get someone else on it. Carry on, what happened next?” the chief asked.

Tears pricked as Sara recalled the events. She covered her eyes with her hands, determined not to let the rest of the team see her break down.

The chief recognised the personal torment she was putting herself through. “Would you rather do this in private, in your office?”

“No. I’ll be fine. Everyone needs to hear this to know what we’re up against. We need to organise the troops, get uniform out there searching for her and this… madman. Oh God, I can’t believe I took my eye off the ball and allowed this to happen. Poor Carla! What if…?”

“Don’t you dare go there, stop blaming yourself for this, Inspector, you hear me? You’re obviously up against a determined criminal who doesn’t give a shit about upsetting people in authority.”

“He’s an unknown quantity. I’m bloody livid this has happened. Livid and tormented with fear. He’s killed three people, possibly, and put another one in hospital. That’s why he was there. The staff at A&E raised the alarm because a man entered brandishing a knife, searching for someone. I believe he went there with the intention of killing the victim, not wanting to leave any loose ends.” Her voice drifted off as the tears started to roll down her cheeks. “Christ, Carla, where are you? Please, be safe.”

“Okay, I’ve seen and heard enough, Sara, I have to pull you off the case.”

Sara glanced up at the chief. Her mouth dropped open to speak but nothing came out.

The chief went on, “I’m calling in another Inspector to take over. For your benefit as well as Carla’s. It’s what’s best in the circumstances, believe me. You won’t be thinking straight, under the pressure. This way, we’re giving Carla the best chance we can.”

Sara’s gaze circulated the room. The rest of the team were all nodding, obviously agreeing with the chief. “If I don’t have a say in this, then so be it. But, by Christ, if whoever you bring in screws up, I’ll have his testicles removed by a lion at the nearest zoo. That’s not a threat, that’s a damn promise.”

The chief laughed. “What if your replacement turns out to be female?”

“Then I’ll do the same with her tits. I still want to register my discontent about this situation, though. If you gave me a few minutes’ grace, I’d be up and running on full steam again. If someone else is responsible for putting Carla’s life in further danger, I will take retribution.”

“Talking like that isn’t helpful, Sara. Pack it in, that’s an order. Give me an hour to sort something out. I have someone in mind, but he may need to travel.”

“Oh crap! Really? We need someone here now, not in a few hours, boss. Now!”

“I understand that. Wind your neck in and let me get on with it. Until then, are you up to going over things with the team? To guide them what to do next?”

“Honest answer, yes, in a few minutes. Which is why we won’t need anyone else. Carla is not only my partner, she’s a dear friend as well. You really think I’d purposefully make the wrong move and endanger her life further? That’s bullshit. If you think that low of me, then maybe I shouldn’t be in the job in the first place, boss.”

“Jesus! Not now, Sara. Please don’t insinuate that. Let me get on the phone and organise things. I’ll get back to you soon.” The chief rushed out of the room.

Christine was the first to speak when the door shut behind the chief. “Are you all