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

Carla’s car is located at the end of the road? She parked there and came in my car to the hospital. I’m thinking her abductor might have forced the information out of her and switched cars. He’s already stolen one car and put the owner of that vehicle in hospital, that’s why he was there, at the hospital, to finish him off. The staff in A&E raised the alarm and scared him off. In his panic, he took Carla because we bloody split up in the grounds of the hospital. Shit, sorry, my head’s chockful of different scenarios and I should have relayed that information to you sooner. I’m having a shit day, and it’s about to go from bad to worse once someone comes marching in here, shouting the odds and taking over.”

Will left his seat and tucked his chair under the desk. “I’ll get out there right now, boss.”

“Good. I should be back within a few hours. Keep your chins up and don’t let me down, guys. Carla is out there, her life in mortal danger. I can’t sit around here doing sweet fuck all, it’s not in me to do that.”

“Good luck,” Christine shouted as she left the room.

Thirty-five minutes later, after going around the block a few times in search of a blasted parking space, Sara finally found one in the centre of the tiny town of Usk. She raced back to the prison and produced her ID. The guard signed her in and led her down the long winding corridor to the interview room.

“Zappel will be brought in shortly. He’ll remain handcuffed throughout, there will also be an officer present during the interview. I hope you’re okay with that?”

“I am. Thanks very much. Would I be pushing my luck asking you for a coffee?”

The guard smiled. “I’ll get that sorted for you. My advice would be to keep your hand on it throughout, just in case the prisoner tries to use it as a weapon. Stranger things have happened around here, I can assure you.”

“Eek… I never even thought about that. I’ll be extra vigilant in that case.”

Once he left the room, she settled into the chair and scrolled through her phone which had pinged during the drive—she had received a new message. It was from Will. She opened it and saw a picture of Carla’s car still parked in the space where they’d left it earlier that morning. That was a relief she hadn’t seen coming. The notion had occurred to her that the kidnapper might have used the vehicle to keep them on their toes, possibly switching it for another one when the opportunity arose, trying to keep one step ahead of them. Maybe he’d slipped up there.

Sara sent a message back to Will, thanking him for his effort and that she’d be in touch as soon as she left the prison.

A thumbs-up emoji was sent as his response.

Soon after, the door opened and a tired and browbeaten Zappel walked into the room. The officer guided him to his seat and forced him to sit with a well-placed hand on his shoulder to enforce the move.

“Hello again, Jo. I hope they’re treating you well here.”

He peered over his shoulder at the officer who was now standing at the rear of the room a few feet behind him. “I can’t grumble. I wasn’t expecting to see you again. What do you want from me?”

“It was a surprise to me too. Okay, I’m not going to delay this any longer than necessary, I need your help.”

He laughed and tipped his head back. When he’d calmed down, he placed his clenched, cuffed hands on the table and looked her in the eye. “With what?”

Sara kept a warm smile in place and told him, “I believe I made a mistake arresting you for both crimes. I’m willing to admit to my faults and have a word with the CPS to get you a lesser sentence.”

“Yeah, you don’t say. I told you all along I wasn’t guilty, but would you listen? Would you fuck—?”

“Oi, Zappel, that’s your first warning. No swearing. Two more and you get taken back to your cell, you got that?”

“Yes, sir. Fuck, fuck. That’s my three. You can take me back now.”

The officer left his position and came towards them. Sara raised a hand. “No, please. This is really important. Won’t you waive his behaviour for now? I’m fine with the swearing.”

“Well, I’m not. Once more and I take him back. We have rules in place which I’m keen to adhere to and, more importantly, I’m here to ensure he observes them, as well.”

“I understand. Jo, I’m pleading with you; if you want a lesser sentence, you’d be wise to listen to what I have to say.”

“Go on, then. You’ve got five minutes and then he can take me back to my cell, whether you’re finished or not.”

“I hear you. Right, no wasting time from me. I need you to be honest with me. At the first crime scene, you told me you were there, but you didn’t kill the victim, is that right?”

“Yep. Next!”

“Then who did?”

His gaze left hers and circled the room.

“Jo, come on. What have you got to lose by telling me?”

He laughed. “Nice try. Next.”

For fuck’s sake moron. I can tell you’re trying to keep something from me. I’m not going to let you win, not with Carla’s life in danger.

She pulled her ace card out and laid it on the table. “We know who your associate was at the first crime. I believe he got a taste for killing and has since gone on a spree.”

His gaze narrowed. “If that’s the case, then why are you here?”

“Because we believe he’s taken a very dangerous direction and I’d hate to see Adam get killed by a special armed forces team.”

His eyes widened. “You leave my son out of this. He wasn’t involved in any of the crimes.”

“Really? You truly expect me to believe that? It wouldn’t be a case of