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

if some of the shit we had to contend with didn’t affect us personally. Why don’t you hand the case over to someone else?”

The pathologist played with the zipper on her suit for a few seconds, lost in thought. “Nope, it’s not going to happen. Your kick up the backside should be enough to put me on the right track again. I apologise for my lack of professionalism.”

“Don’t you dare say that. You’re here, attending the scene and doing what you do best, aren’t you?”

“Barely. But I’ll be back to normal in a second or two.”

Sara inclined her head. “Want me to give you some space?”

“No, I’m fine. You’ll be wanting to get home to Mark.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m here for the duration, Lorraine.” They both took a few paces back towards the victim and surveyed the body. “Seems like overkill to me.”

Lorraine sighed. “You could say that. She’s in her eighties for fuck’s sake, hardly a threat, is she? And yet, here she lies, bloody as hell. A quick assessment and I found at least twenty stab wounds to her chest. I’m thinking one or two would have been enough to have killed her, so why the excess?”

“You believe she knew the killer?”

“Usually that’s the case. Or we could be looking at someone with anger issues. Stating the obvious, I know, but you get where I’m coming from.”

“I do. Could it be a burglary gone wrong and the perp got frustrated with her?”

“At this stage, anything and everything is possible.”

“What about the family? Did she live alone or do we know if anyone else lives here with her?”

“I had a brief chat with the neighbour who rang nine-nine-nine. She said the victim lived alone but had frequent visits from her family members.”

“I’ll have a chat with her, maybe she can give us some contact information for them.”

Lorraine pointed at a console table halfway down the hallway. “Address book on there, or maybe look through the call list on the phone at the recent calls coming in.”

“Good thinking, I’ll do that. Are you okay now?”

“I’m getting there. I’ll be all right as long as I don’t look at her face.”

“Makes sense. I’ll have a chat with the neighbour first. Which side?”

“On the right. Marjorie Fellows. I’ve told her to expect someone, didn’t realise you’d still be on duty at this time of night.”

“It’s not such a shock to the system these days. They’re expecting us to do more and more work even though they’re intent on cutting the hours.”

“Bugger, how is that fair?”

“You tell me. I’ve got a tough decision to make soon. I’ve put it off as long as possible.” Sara lowered her voice and glanced up at the doorway on the lookout for her partner. “They’re telling me I have to make cuts. Give a team member the big heave-ho.”

“Shit! I don’t relish the task you have ahead of you. Do you have anyone in mind?”

“That’s just it, no, I haven’t got a clue. I have a sensational team, not one of them is a prankster or is guilty of not pulling their weight on an investigation. So how the fuck am I supposed to choose?”

“Does Carla know?”

“Negative. I can’t share that sort of news, damn, I shouldn’t be telling you this. The burden is laying heavily on my shoulders, though.”

“Damn. I’d hate to be in your shoes, that’s a nightmare scenario to have to deal with.”

Sara motioned with her head at the corpse below them. “Some issues are easier than others to handle in this life, although it might not seem that way at the time.”

“You’ll work around it, if that’s what you have to do.”

“I hope so. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Tell Carla where I am if I don’t see her first.”

“I will. Good luck.”

Sara left the house and searched the immediate area for Carla. Her partner was having an animated conversation with one of the onlookers. She decided to leave her partner to deal with the problem and to go next door to the neighbour.

After ringing the bell, she stepped back. A worried looking woman opened the door a fraction.

Sara flashed her ID. “Mrs Fellows, I’m DI Sara Ramsey. Would it be possible to step inside to have a brief chat with you?”

“Yes, yes, come in out of the cold. I’ve been expecting you.”

Mrs Fellows opened the door wider and allowed Sara access to the house. A small dog charged at her and the woman raised her walking stick, blocking the dog in its path. “I wouldn’t hit him with it, it’s just a deterrent, he’s territorial and often goes to bite strangers. Once he’s used to you, he’ll be fine. I’ll lead the way into the lounge, he’ll get in his basket once you’re sitting down. You’re not scared of him, are you? I can put him in the kitchen if you’re feeling uncomfortable.”

“Don’t shut him away on my account. If you think he’ll settle down, I’ll take my chances with him.”

“Come through. I’d offer you a cup of tea, but I only have enough milk for some cereals in the morning.”

“You don’t have to do that for me.”

“I don’t get many visitors nowadays, so what’s the point in getting in extra shopping just in case.”

“I understand that. Don’t your family visit you?”

“No, not now the money has run out. My husband had a lot of debts I didn’t know about. When he died, I was forced to pay them off. This place is rented. I had to sell the house. The kids blamed me for selling off their inheritance, and that’s it! I’m dead in their eyes. Oh dear, I shouldn’t say that, not with what has happened next door. Poor Val, she was such a lovely lady.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s hard dealing with families through life’s tough times, such as when a parent dies. I hope you manage to get in touch with them to sort things out soon.”

“No chance of that happening, not with my