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

“To be honest, I feel absolutely numb. Maybe the boss has made the right call, bringing in an outsider to deal with this. I know it’s not going to be easy working under someone else, but let’s give it our best shot, agreed?”

The team either shouted back ‘agreed’ or ‘okay’. “Good. I’m going to go through what happened, and hope I don’t leave anything out. After that, I’m going to need a volunteer to go to the nurse’s next of kin for me. Preferably female.”

Marissa raised her hand. “I’ll go.”

“Good, thanks, love. Craig, why don’t you go with her? Please, let Marissa do the talking. We need to be sensitive about this, I’m not saying you’re not. And for goodness’ sake, please be evasive with the circumstances of her death. Do not mention the rape at this point. That’s not how we do things, got that?”

Marissa and Craig both nodded.

“Shit! Carla has the information for the next of kin. Marissa, ring the maternity ward at the hospital and ask for the information again. Come up with some excuse as to why you’re contacting them a second time within a few hours. God, this is such a mess. Please, please Carla, be okay.”

Marissa reached for the phone to put in the request and hung up a few minutes later. “I’ve got it, boss.”

“Good. You two set off. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re out there.”

Chairs scraped and they both put their jackets on. “We will,” Craig announced.

Once the two young detectives had left, Sara took a sip of her now cool coffee and paced the room. “Where do we start? Why did this happen? We were chasing him, not the other way round. How the fuck did he get hold of her in the first place? Why her and not me? Why, why, why?”

“There’s no point in you blaming yourself, boss, that’s self-destructive and isn’t going to get us anywhere,” Christine was quick to jump in.

“I know. But I’m at a loss what to think or how to put things right. We have no idea who we’re dealing with here. What if he kidnaps her and takes her out of the city? Or, what if he’s taken her and she gives him some lip and he…”

“Please, don’t say it, boss. Don’t even think it. Carla is made of strong stuff. She knows when to keep her mouth shut. She’ll be fine, we have to believe that,” Jill piped up.

“I hope you’re both right. Damn, we can deal with this between us. I’m going to see the chief, tell her we’re up to the task. I’ll be right back.”

Sara pushed open the door and marched up the corridor. The DCI’s secretary, Mary, greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hello, Inspector Ramsey. How are you?”

“I’ve had better days, Mary. Can I go through?”

“Let me just check with her. She’s been tied up on the phone since she returned.” Mary shot out of her seat, knocked on the door, then popped her head into the room. “DI Ramsey here to see you, ma’am, if you have a minute.”

“Two minutes, then send her in. I’m almost done here.”

Mary retreated from the room and retook her seat. “She won’t be too long. Take the weight off.”

She gestured for Sara to sit, but she was far too anxious and paced the room until the chief’s door opened. “In here, Inspector.”

Sara raced through the open doorway and took a seat in front of the chief. “Have you made any arrangements yet?”

“Yes, just this second finalised something. Why?”

“Call whoever it is off. I can deal with it. My team and I have discussed it and we’re up to the job in hand,” Sara said, lying through her back teeth.

“While I think that’s admirable for you to say, my decision is final. There’s no going back now. Des Williams is coming over from Worcester. He’ll be here within the hour and is itching to sink his teeth in.”

“Jesus! Were those his words or yours?”

“Mine, why? Oh, stop being so defensive all the time, Sara.”

“How do you expect me to react? Carla will be relying on me to get her out of this fix, alive, and that responsibility has been stripped from me and passed on to someone else neither of us knows.”

“But I do. By the sounds of it, you’re doubting my capabilities as a DCI.”

“Now you’re twisting my words, I didn’t say that, boss. I’m sorry if it came across that way. All I’m guilty of doing is trying to get my partner back before something bad or even worse happens to her.” Sara’s voice rose as she spoke.

The DCI pointed a finger at her. “I’m warning you to calm down. Take a few steady breaths.”

She did as she was ordered and held her head in shame. “I’m sorry. Surely, you can put yourself in my shoes for a moment or two.”

“Absolutely. Carla is not only your partner, she’s also a member of my team, you seem to have forgotten that, Sara. I need you to take a step back and assess the situation with clear and concise thoughts if we’re ever going to get her back from this criminal. That’s why it’s better for you not to be involved in the case. As well as it being procedure in these instances, anyway.”

Sara’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’m sorry. You’re right, of course. It’s just difficult sitting on one’s hands when you know a frigging madman could be doing all sorts to your partner and friend.”

“I appreciate that, I promise I do. You need to rid yourself of such thoughts; otherwise, you’re going to make yourself ill and then you’ll be no use to anyone, either during the investigation or afterwards. Now, what do we know about this man?”

“The man who’s got her?”

“Yes. Apart from the murders he’s committed. Wait, how many cases are you dealing with concerning this culprit?”

“That’s just it, I don’t know for sure. We’ve arrested Zappel for the first crime at least. He kept telling